Best Circular Saw for under $75

[Wedge]

What is the best circular saw, available from Sears for under $75?  I have some gift cards to spend and no circular saw.

[DigMe]

It's hard to go wrong with Craftsman products just based on the ones myself and my dad have had.  Just bought a new Craftsman lawn mower the other day.

brad cook

[Wedge]

Cool.  I have quite a few Craftsman hand tools but none of their power tools.  I want a larger bottom plate (can't remember what it is called) so that I can finger rip 4 or 6".  Some of the cheaper saws I have really lousy bottom plates.

[Fly320s]

Wedge, I don't know much about saws but I'd suggest buying one with a large blade diameter.

I have a cordless circular saw (Craftsman 24.4v) with a 5 or 6 inch blade.  It doesn't cut deep enough, even at it's deepest setting.  I'd go with a 8-10 inch blade to give yourself good cutting depth.

Otherwise, DigMe has it right, go with Craftsman.

[DigMe]

I have a cordless circular saw (Craftsman 24.4v) with a 5 or 6 inch blade.  It doesn't cut deep enough, even at it's deepest setting.  I'd go with a 8-10 inch blade to give yourself good cutting depth.

How's the power on that saw?  Does it cut through hard woods?  My friend brought over a cordless Black and Decker (*shiver*) when he was helping me build my fence and it seemed to have trouble just getting through some of the wood...then again it was a Black and Decker and I'm pretty sure it wasn't 24v so those things could have something to do with it.  I need a circular saw and I'm interested in cordless but I'm kinda worried about cutting power.

brad cook

[Larry Ashcraft]

When you buy a circular saw you are buying bearings.  The more and better the bearings, the more expensive the saw.  I have a Bosch that I really like.

Don't know anything about the cordless ones though.

[Wedge]

I was planning on getting a 7.25" (standard size) saw.

I have a Black and Decker 24V cordless and it is pretty weak...Black and Decker doesn't make good stuff.

[Schuey2002]

>>"Just bought a new Craftsman lawn mower the other day."<<

I'm picking up a new Craftsman lawnmower that is on sale this afternoon.  

[jamz]

Another $35 or so gets you into the Porter Cable territory.  Maybe it's all the ads that used to be on This Old House, but I like Porter Cable stuff.

Back when I was into woodworking, there used to be a rule of thumb that craftsman hand tools were great, but their power tools were like lorcins.


Love, James

[Fly320s]

How's the power on that saw? Does it cut through hard woods? My friend brought over a cordless Black and Decker (*shiver*) when he was helping me build my fence and it seemed to have trouble just getting through some of the wood...then again it was a Black and Decker and I'm pretty sure it wasn't 24v so those things could have something to do with it. I need a circular saw and I'm interested in cordless but I'm kinda worried about cutting power.

The power is very good.  I had no trouble ripping through 3/4 inch plywood, which is all I've used it on so far.

My tools came as a set: Circular saw, drill, recip saw, light, and charger.  It was a gift, so I never had a chance to compare it to other tools.  Even though these worf great I still prefer corded tools.  Having to charge batteries bugs me.

[DigMe]

>>"Just bought a new Craftsman lawn mower the other day."<<

I'm picking up a new Craftsman lawnmower that is on sale this afternoon.  

Mine was on sale too.  Regular $280, got it for $225.  It's a 6.75hp self-propelled.

brad cook

[Guest]

My mower is a Craftsman push with a 5.5 Honda motor and its been great. It's 3 years old and I have no complaints at all.

As far as cordless power tools, I've got a drill and a jig saw, both Craftsman, and they're ok..and handy..but corded is better when you've got a big job.