Who Rip With There Circular Saw?

TBFGhost

Bosch CS20, rated Best by Tauntons and I have personally used it. I liked everything about it, blew my Makita 5007 out of the water....that rafter hook is VERY nice, so is the direct connect. You can find the CS20 at store for a little as $100.


Well, I would put a link in here, but I am not allowed so you will have to google Bosch CS20.

Here is what Fine Homebuilding wrote about it

"This saw has some unique features that turn out to be fairly useful. Its Direct-Connect setup makes it difficult to unplug the saw accidentally and eliminates the usual weak point where the power cord enters the tool. The built-in rafter hook is handy when climbing a ladder or working on a roof. The bevel and depth-adjustment levers are large and easy to operate, and the 56 degrees maximum bevel is impressive. The saw has detents for 22.5 degrees and 45 degrees bevels, but the detent spring needed tweaking with a screwdriver from time to time to keep the detents strong. Depth of cut can be adjusted without moving one's right hand off the handle, and the large, easy-to-read, rear-facing gauge made depth changes fast and convenient. The front handle is pushed to the left, away from the blade, which provides an excellent line of sight. The only thing that might be improved is the fiber-composite base, which is strong and light but has a bit too much flex."



To be fair the Milwaukee 6390-21 tied with the Bosch but I have not used it....

"The Tilt-Lok handle allows the handle to be positioned behind the blade, above the blade, or anywhere in between. This enhances comfort and balance, no matter what type of cutting needs to be done. With an oblong handle mounted in front of the bevel adjustment at a 45 degree angle, this saw's sightlines were the best of any saw tested, and there is plenty of room in the padded grip for a gloved hand. The cushioned and contoured grip at the front of the saw provides for great control. The baseplate is solid, and depth and bevel controls are easy to operate. The only drawback is that there is no bevel stop or detent at 45 degrees."

The biggest thing I can say is DON'T limit yourself to what the big box stores have to offer.... there are far more and far better tools out there then just what HomeDepot and Lowes carry.

woodworkbykirk

just a note, shortly after that issue came out the bosch was recalled. the milwaukee tilt-lok has been on the top of the list for close to 6 years

one thing not mentioned in the article is that the life expectancy of the motors in these saws. consumer reports tested a bunch of different saws and the tilt-lok averaged 700 + hours before the motor burned out, the next best was porter cable i believe at 125 hours. i can vouch for this as one contractor i worked for had 3 makita's die while the tilt-lok was still going strong

im currently considering picking up a worm-drive saw for a work saw or the new corded 6 1/4 ridgid for cutting panels

Dan V.

Great info! Thanks. I'll have to check out the Tilt-Lok. I have a Milwaukee cordless drill and I absolutely love it. Paid a bit over $200 for it and worth every penny.

NWBuilder

First hand experience here, a sawzall work great on butchering game animals!

PA woodbutcher

Using the a long demo blade keeps the bone and flesh from getting into the saw.

__________________
'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.' - Ronald Reagan

stp57

Hey Dan,
Milwaukee does makes a great Tilt-Loc Saw. Normally $130, but recently HD or Lowes had it for $90. I loved mine, but so did the jerk who stole it. My new Hitachi is a joke compared to the Milwaukee.
Steve

TBFGhost

Correct, it was recalled, something to do with the lower blade guard....it was fixed however and is no longer an issue. There are so many brands out there and each has so many different features, choosing a saw is really almost a personal thing....I would just go around and feel out a few different brands and watch for brands coming out with new stuff....Makita just came out with a new saw.