I was thinking of getting a Dewalt 18v cordless as I found one for $129.99 and do have some use for it but not all day, every day use.
I’m curious as to how many of you guys use these saws on a regular or even part time basis, plus what your opinion is of them.
Besides the price I also picked the Dewalt model as I have a lot of their tools and love ’em. Also I have the Dewalt 18v drill and 18v impact driver so I have 4 other batteries that would fit the circular saw.
Thanks guys
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Replies
I have a Milwaukee cordless, and it comes in pretty handy when I have to make a few cuts up on a roof, for fascia, running upstairs to a rental unit, or outside away from a power source.
Come to think of it, I hardly ever drag out the cords anymore (unless I'm involved in a project with a lot of repetitive cutting)! Lightweight, and handy to have. Worth the cost, to me.
DIA
I have a couple of them and use them quite often.
Doing mostly roofing work on older homes I like having tools to use up high and no cords to futz with.
Coupled with the impact driver to screw down small areas of decking works great for me.
I love mine, use it almost daily. Great tool.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
I have a Dewalt & found Freud makes a 5-3/8" blade for it that is razor sharpe & last forever, use it on framing lumber the most. Also the Freud blade allows the battery to last longer.
Also if you remember to feed your blade into the cut nice & square not binding in the kerf the battery life will be good.
I put alot of miles on my saw & promise you won't be sorry, I find I use it more than my corded saws.
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There's your answer. You don't need any more justification than that.
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Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
the problem is,when you have to buy replacement batteries.they cost just as much as the saw.thats why there only good for limited jobs (small jobs).that way you wont have to keep buying saws, oh imeant batteries.
Edited 2/24/2009 7:08 pm ET by T3
If you are set with DW 18's I would look at ebay. They can be found for next to nothing. I have the 14.4 and it did it's job. I have since moved to Bosch 18 so the DW hardly ever leaves the basement. I had a Craftsman 14.4 which was my first cordless saw.
I was totally surprised at what it would do. The batts died but it is the exact same thing as the DW. It was from 10 yrs ago and DW must have been the Craftsman vendor of the day. Also have the 24V DW but the batts have pretty well croaked.
I love the Bosch 18v saw. It is clean cutting and will gnaw through about everything I try to feed it.
May I ask why you bought the Bosch model?
Do you have other Bosch cordless tools and used them as the sole reason for buying the saw?
I have a Bosch router and 1" rotary hammer, and am VERY pleased with them so I wouldn't mind another Bosch tool.
Thanks
The first Bosch cordless I bought was the 12v (large one) impact, loved it. I had a bunch of other impacts (tried 12v Mak, had and cannot find 12v DW, have 14.4 DW, a cheapie B&D 12v) Got the 10.8 I driver, then some other 10.8/12v. Saw a good ebay deal on a used 18v set and went from there.
Was very pleasantly surprised with the circ saw. It is one smooth little customer. I did have a 14.4 Makita set for a while. It just did not fit me. A lot of awkward. However to be fair it was probably 6 yrs ago and they are light years better considering the ones I have picked up lately.
For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
I'm not in love with them. They have their uses on roofs and for quick cuts but other than that, give me a corded. If you want one, I would get a lithium, the Nicad batteries just don't last very long.
I have the DeWalt and I like it, for occasional use. The trigger/safety is kinda uncomfortable, but other than that its OK. I got it because all my cordless tools are DeWalt 18V. Nothing to write home about, but gets the job done. Kinda plastic-y.
"...craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit." - P. Korn
bakersfieldremodel.com
I've got one. I use it mainly for cutting hardiboard (outside) which probably explains why it doesnt cut wood that great.
Its not my favorite cordless tool but it works in a pinch.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
I have had my DW for about 5 years and love it.... goes everywhere with me... granted, I don't do steady sawing over hours and if I do, then my corded goes with me to the job.... the trigger is weird at first, but I'm so used to it now, I don't even think about it. Also, be sure to buy thin-kerf blades.... and the batteries will definitely last longer when the blade is sharp. Lane
I have a Milwaukee V28 and use it constantly both in the field and in the shop. It's an impressive little saw with pretty good power and nice tracking. I wouldn't go as far to say that it replaces a corded saw by any means, but it does get a lot more use than I originally anticipated. It definitely was a good investment, though an expensive one. I'd be interested in seeing Bosch's newer lithium saws (36 volt?) those seem nice as well.
I use my Makita 18v LiOn saw a lot. It is elegant.
Bought the big kit. Those tools made my Bosch 18v nicad set seem clunky and heavy. Which is why the Bosch went to the tool library and the Makitas are entering their 3d year on the job.
Often we do not have job power and don't want to drag in a compressor, so it's battery, if possible.
It will not do the day's work of a framer. However, it did a lot of work in a 5 month roofing job. Lot of ply and 1x got cut.
Problem with the 24, 36v, etc. is the cost of the batteries.
The ToolBear
"You can't save the Earth unless you are willing to make other people sacrifice." Dogbert
I really like mine...had it for years but I never had another to compare it to.
The trigger/saftey button SUCKS!!! real irritating....and I dropped it a few times and the saftey cover doesn't spring back like it should. Tried straightening it out to no avail....so now I'm just REAL careful b/4 I put it down.
If I had to buy another I'd for sure check out others and I have tons of DW tools and batteries but still..
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Why do I keep...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7ZkQC0riwc
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I used to have the DeWalt 14.4 , now have the Makita 18 lit ion.
work alot with a buddy who has the DeWalt 18.
Out of them all ... the Makita is the most useful. Almost a real circular saw.
There are still times when the corded DeWalt comes out ...
but I'd say 75% of the time, the Makita does the job just fine.
If I was getting one new, and still had all DeWalt stuff ... I'd get the 24V if the batt's fit the same chargers and the radio. That's on par if not above the Makita 18 lit ion.
For usefulness, last summer I started a front porch job. Access to breakers was an issue, so I brought the makita kit and hoped to work as much outta that bag as possible.
Porch roof stated ... everything from columns to posts was demo'd and rebuilt.
Did the whole job cordless, just to see if we could.
my buddy, a framer, helped me ... he was equally impressed with the tools. I thought he woulda been more disappointed as he frames break-neck speed and doesn't work at the slower remodeling pace that I do.
PT 6x6's, 4x4's ... 100 yr old 2x10's, 2x8's ... old flooring, new flooring ... all cut cordless.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa