My Dad is has to buy a circular saw to replace the one he dropped off the roof one to many times, i won’t let him use mine any more. We have only used Makita before and if we could stop dropping them they would probably hold up just fine. I was just wondering if you guys had any insight on what to buy this time around.
Also how about cordless screw gun who makes the better one i have heard both Dewalt and Makita I have one 14.4 volt makita and one 18volt dewalt both seam fine the dewalt is new so not sure realy yet. any insight there thanks
Edited 4/3/2002 10:08:02 PM ET by EAGLE52383
Replies
Saw?... Milwaukee.
Porter Cable blade left.
Porter Cable. Once I tried one I knew that it was the saw.
Porter Cable 347 (right blade) or 447 (same but with electric brake) or 743 (left blade)
Ahem...! Skil wormdrive, or the Bosch equivalent. Whatever you end up getting, just make sure it has a rafter hook this time!
I don't know of a saw designed to fall offa roooves.
Tom
thanks guys - the rafter hock is definitely a must this time thanks again
T Moen's right, get the Skill 77 if you're young and have good arms and no arthritis. But if weight is a problem, get the PC.
Porter cable Sawboss left blade, I love mine. I've got a Makita worm, nice saw but I don't think it would fly any better than whatever you've been dropping. Maybe you could get a small helium balloon to go with the saw? Joe H
I like the Milwakee and the PC's. The only thing I don't care for on the PC is the blade sight marks aren't that great. I like the extruded base, wrench holder and controls, and the weight. Some of my guys still like their makitas, but I think they need an update on design. Somebody said makita has a new design out but I haven't seen one yet. Anyone out there heard of this or seen one?
Bish
On Makita website: http://www.makita.com/tools_item_View.asp?id=315
Mark, Looks like the same ol'. I still like them, didn't care for the PC, and I have all of these blue spare parts around...
Skil wormdrive.
Eagle, If it's not too much trouble: how often are you using this new saw? What type of work? Do you have a budget? For the long run I use Milwky, For finess and lightweight handeling it's the PC left blade.Really never satisfied a/ any Dewalt circular saw ( though I am very happy w/ the 18 volt combo pack). As far as cordless screw guns go; I've had nearly all of them ,but like my 19.2 PC the best. As with everything I post: just my opinion.
Miami
Everybody's right. Quite truthfully if you buy a Makita, Milwky, or PC you will not go wrong. They are all good saws.
Pick them up and feel them. Lift the blade guard, adjust the cut depth...you'll figure out which one you want. I've had Makita's for ten years, which I replaced (when stolen) with a PC rhb. I then picked up at a used furniture / junk shop an old Skill 88 for $25 - new brushes, oil and blade and it's really sweet. There seems to be lots of Skills around used, as they have been around forever and tanks should be built as solid. But at the end of a long day I'll pick up the PC first for the weight.
I've used a lot of the drills out there, and I really like the Panasonic 15.6. Give it a try, nice weight, long battery charge and lots of power. Give it a try...
Good luck
Paul
I doesn't sound like any of you are using a DeWalt, but I thought I'd post this info just in case.
I just read in the paper that DeWalt is recalling 55,000 circular saws because a mechanical problem can cause their blades to hit the lower guards and slip. These are 7 1/2" saws with model numbers DW368, DW368K and DW369CSK. For more info, call (888) 839-3559.
I've got two dewalt framer saws. They are great. One has survived a fall off of a 25 foot high roof onto frozen ground. Still good enough for trim work.
I've got a Makita 5007 that I'd sell for $40 but I wouldn't buy it if I were you. I don't think Makita has made a good circular saw in at least 5 years.
Mad Dog
I like both my PC and my Milwaukee. But if you are going to be throwing them off the roof, you migfht as well stay with the Makita. It's a throwaway saw anyway.
Excellence is its own reward!
Thats not funny considering I just bought the DeWalt DW369SK! I think I will make my life a little easier and get the skivvy from DeWalt first and see if its certain serial numbers before returning it to Home Depot. I haven't even plugged the thing in yet!
This applies to the model mentioned, but in addition they have stampings on the bottom of the motor housing of 200128-F to 200152-F. If the is a green dot sticker down there then your unit has already been repaired. I got lucky as the my stamping was outside of this range.
I've used most and the one I kept hearing about was the Skil 77 worm drive.
Nah, said I, too bulky and heavy, awkward and all of the weight hanging out in front!!
Well I was wrong!
Skil Mag 77 is light and accurite and rugged as all heck. I love mine and wouldn't buy any thing else. I really love it when the going is tough and wimpy saws quit or slow down so much they may as well.
I used to make sexy cuts, (all curvy) but now evan feehand with out a guide I can make really straight and clean cuts. Tools make the man, Make mine Skil Mag 77
I saw that thing the other day. I've not used the DeWalt I picked up (DW369CSK) and may just go and exchange it. The Skill Mag 77 is only $30 more. Hmmm.
Not to confuse the subject, but you may want to look at the Bosch 1677M before you commit to the Skill 77M (it's more than a coincidence that both model numbers end with "77M" BTW)..
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Not sure of the model #, PG, but the Bosch I tried was no big deal. Tried a PC too, same thing.
I guess it depends on what you need a saw to do, or what floats your boat. You know what I wonder? I wonder what the deal is with the left hand saws. As a right hander I like the mess on the right, and with the blue piece of garbage I have no problem seeing what is going on. I also don't use the saw for stunts, it's just a saw. I would be interested in a worm if I did more frame, but I don't and maybe I am missing something here. I haven't used one in many years.
Well, the point about the 1677M is that it's the next upgrade in the "77" line, a better 77 if you will. I like the "left" blade for following a line, particularly on sheet goods where you to reach, and the "right" for using a straight-edge guide. For cut-offs, I must say that I think the "right" feels safer to use..
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Phil, do you use a "left"? I never have, (well I don't count the battery thing), and I cut panels just fine. The line of sight is fine fot the M, and I think a left saw wouldn't help that any with all the crap blowing in my face.
I really did just look at purchasing a PC, and the store had three models... but they felt so different from what I am used to. I have a scheme to build a panel saw and it would be intelligent to have dust collection, didn't one of the PC's have that option?
I don't currently use a "lefty"; I can get along fine with the "righty", particularly since most of time it's either a cut-off or I use a straight-edge (a straight two-by or most sheet goods and two C-clamps and you can make a long, straight cut in no-time). Having said that, I've used a "lefty" often enough to know the value for free-handing sheet goods, OSB, sheathing, etc. .
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
I've worked with alot of tools and alot of different skill level carpenters,anyone can use a tool. If you need to rely on the skill of a tool than it doesn't matter which one you buy. If you learn the tool-- meaning its quirks its bad points and its good points-- then any tool can be the best. I have an old Black and Decker Sawcat that I love. Big heavy and limitless.
I like my PC with the left hand blade. I also have a PC 12v cordless drill that seems OK. A site I found with reveiws I think I can have some faith in :
http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/default.asp
http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/content/tools/1999/ma99/tooltestsaws/
http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/content/tools/1999/ja99/tooltestdrills/default.asp
I don't always agree with their conclusions but the reveiws are good for see whats available, features, what to look for and relative prices. There are probably other reviews sites but of the ones that don't seem too biased this one is IMHO one of the better ones.
Thanks for all the input, sounds like the PC is what every one says to go for and what I think I'll get got a question thought why left blade? the saws that I have had are all right blade .. I think.
thanks again
Left blade means the saw blade is on the left side of the saw. For righthanded people it is easier to see where the blade is cutting.
I favor the Skil Mag 77 for my saw and the Panasonic 15.6 cordless drill/screwgun. The Panasonic is very well balanced and not too heavy.