Which small cordless circular saw?

[davyowen]

I was looking around today for a cordless CS and came across the Makita BSS501RFE. Has anyone used it, or could recommend something else?

I need it to break down 8x4 boards as I don't have the space for a panel, or even a decent sized table saw. The smaller and lighter the saw the better.

Cheers,
Davy

[andy]

I've got the earlier version and it works quiet well.
Not a particularly clean cut on ply wood but ok for breaking down large sheets.
Just one observation, the price, your not far away from the price of a Festool with rail system which gives a much cleaner cut and is more convenient.

I only hope this comment does not[/b] start the great Festool v Ez smart guide debate please

[andee]

andy said:

I only hope this comment does not

[/b] start the great Festool v Ez smart guide debate please[/quote]

Why am I so tempted to start this debate... Luckily I have no intention of doing so... ;D

Andy

[davyowen]

;D

Yeh I thought the same, but I'm leaning towards the cordless because I usually break the sheets down outside as soon as they come off the truck.

Have you tried a different blade to get a better cut?

[dirtydeeds]

ive got this saw

i built a herringbone deck 3x4 metres and sub frame with 3 battery charges

and a wall frame on a flat roof 6 stories up on a scaffold

ive nothing but praise for this little beauty



and as somebody said above rough cutting sheets is a doddle

[mooretoolsplease]

I've got an 18v DeWalt that came with the 5 piece kit, excellent piece of kit.
I wouldn't be without it now. I use it on site alot for built ins, and its excellent at cutting up floor boards for access.

[johnjin]

Hi Davy

I've got this saw and I love it.
The build quality is second to none and it uses a very thin blade. The quality of cut finish is excellent in my opinion. I got mine from e-bay as a bare tool for about £65.

stores.ebay.co.uk/Power-Tools-Direct-From-US

I recommend it.

Hope this helps

John

[noel]

Anybody got any thoughts on the Panasonic version? I've plenty of batteries for the drills so a bare saw would make sense.

[nickw]

Noel,
Unfortunately Panasonic don't do bare tools. Or they didn't last time I checked.

[noel]

Yes Nick, you are indeed correct about the the lack of bareness on Panasonic tools. Ah well.

So, anybody ever had or used the cordless saw?

[planeloco]

noel said:

So, anybody ever had or used the cordless saw?

I have the Panny metal cutting cordless saw, 100 notes s/h off the 'bay. Got a Trend hobby blade to fit and cuts wood like a hot knife etc etc.

Love panny stuff have the batts etc and charger from other tools so just swap around batts and don't keep count. Just love a cordless circ saw have not used my Skil Saw since getting it. Not the grunt of a corded tool but great for panal breakdown prior to table saw sizing etc. Can also put the metal blade on and cut mild steel conduit and thin sheet and alu etc.

Cheers

Gareth

[noel]

Thanks Gareth. I'll keep an eye on the bay for one.

[neilyweely]

don't have either saw (have corded hilti, skil, hitachi and cordless Ryobi!!!) but have used the makita li ion C/S and the panasonic C/S and they are both very, very good. The ryobi one is ok for cutting boards up though, although not as good.

I would go for the panasonic, given the choice. (3.5amp batt)

[engineerone]

as a happy mafell user i had thought there was a cordless saw there too.

the ksp 55 is such a thing and of course works with their rail system too. seems to take from 12-24 volt batteries.

not used this, but am happy with the corded version

paul

[Keith]

I too have an 18V DeWalt from a kit 5; it looks a little lightweight compared to many other machines but it does a great job.

As part of a test for a magazine I tried it with different blades, the Freud blade cut twice the distance on a full charge compared to a standard blade. So well worth budgetting an extra £15 or so for a new Freud blade.

[engineerone]

interesting point keith and we don't seem to pay enough attention to replacement blades on saws other than bandsaws.

i have used cmt with great results, and i know a lot of people find the freud pretty good too.

maybe that is the answer to many of the problems faced with
battery life, and cut quality.

paul

[gazza]

Apr 27, 2008 12:12:37 GMT engineerone said:

interesting point keith and we don't seem to pay enough attention to replacement blades on saws other than bandsaws.

i have used cmt with great results, and i know a lot of people find the freud pretty good too.

maybe that is the answer to many of the problems faced with
battery life, and cut quality.

paul

Very interesting,
I have the 18v Dewalt and a 14v Dewalt, both are excellent with the 14v being a bit smaller in size but still as powerfull.
I have only used Dewalt replacement blades as they are very thin kerf (quite expensive too) didnt realise other blades would fit properly.
Keith, was the freud blade a thin kerf (as thin as the Dewalt)
Do you have the blade model no, i wouldnt mind trying it.
Cheers,
Gazza.

[Keith]

Gazza,

I've looked in the Freud catalogue and can't find it but the blade is an LCL6M01059

The blade is 16 tooth, 136mm, 1.5mm kerf.


Keith

[big-all]

i replace all my table /chop saw blades with freud pro[red]blades i have also put one on my dewalt mains dw62 circ saw

but on the saws where longevity matters i havent bothered

i have a 24v bosch and 2 18v ryobi and of course the running time is a big factor with the ryobi with 1.7 ah batts

freud blades
www.freudtooling.co.uk/catalog1/

[ivan]

Would have thought the cordless Mafell worth a look. I use the corded version on rails, double cutting to score/cut on veneered boards, with a Festool fine Xcut blade.

[gazza]

Apr 27, 2008 13:40:37 GMT Keith said:

Gazza,

I've looked in the Freud catalogue and can't find it but the blade is an LCL6M01059

The blade is 16 tooth, 136mm, 1.5mm kerf.


Keith

Thanks for that Keith, I'll check it out.
The 18v saw takes a 165mm dia blade, so this blade would do the 14v as it takes a 136mm. I wonder do they do a 165mm with a 1.5mm kerf.
Cheers,
Gazza.