Compact circular saw?

jertum · 5 Sep 2019

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a decent low-cost compact circular saw. It'll mainly be used for doing long straight cuts in wood - fencing, doors, shelving etc. - but needs to be compact enough to store in a cupboard. I've seen a few on Amazon with mixed reviews - anyone had experience of them?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WX423-Compact-Circular-Worxsaw/dp/B01AI44PSK?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WX426-WORXSAW-Compact-Circular/dp/B00MYZF2KW?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_10

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TACKLIFE-C...ords=tacklife+saw&qid=1567695408&s=diy&sr=1-3

Thanks in advance for your help.

Deleted member 174758 · 5 Sep 2019

Modern doors are generally either 44mm thick (FD30) or 35mm thick (non FD). Either way too thick for these compact saws which have neither the depth of cut nor the required power IMHO. So far as I'm aware they are really only suited to cutting laminate flooring (6 to 12mm thick). OK, so the Tacklife has a 46mm depth of cut, but at 700 odd watts, based on saws I've owned in the past in that siuze/power range (e.g. Perles KS50 - 150mm diam blade/50mm depth of cut/830 watts), I reckon it is somewhat underpowered for the door cutting task, particularly if the door is solid core (like a front door or a fire door).

garyo · 5 Sep 2019

Is it just me or do they look lethal?

crank39 · 5 Sep 2019

My manager bought all the guys one each, 10 of us, he got some weird idea that these were perfect for small needs but let me tell you, it won't cut straight and it stops the moment it touches wood, some guys haven't even opened the box

Deleted member 174758 · 5 Sep 2019

Do you think they look more lethal than this?

An American-style framing saw with the blade forward - mind you they are a lot heavier and have little tendency to lift or kick back when used correctly, despite having no riving knife. For beginner DIYers, though, I feel that a saw with a riving knife and two handed grip is maybe safer than a one-hand grip saw

foxhole · 6 Sep 2019

jertum said:
I was wondering if anyone could recommend a decent low-cost compact circular saw. It'll mainly be used for doing long straight cuts in wood - fencing, doors, shelving etc. - but needs to be compact enough to store in a cupboard. I've seen a few on Amazon with mixed reviews - anyone had experience of them?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WX423-Compact-Circular-Worxsaw/dp/B01AI44PSK?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WX426-WORXSAW-Compact-Circular/dp/B00MYZF2KW?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_10

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TACKLIFE-C...ords=tacklife+saw&qid=1567695408&s=diy&sr=1-3

Thanks in advance for your help.

Have a large circular saw in my cupboard, do you have small cupboards.?

catlad · 7 Sep 2019

I have a few circular saws and if you want compact then the 10.8v bosch now badged 12v is compact, but you will need a couple of passes to get to its capacity of 25mm without it struggling too much.

Deleted member 174758 · 7 Sep 2019

catlad said:
.....you will need a couple of passes to get to its capacity of 25mm without it struggling too much.

That'll possibly bugger up your chances of accurate cuts on stuff like chipboard or plywood. not to mention making it a royal pain to trim a door to length

catlad · 8 Sep 2019

Mine came with an attachment that will run off the rail system, but if you cut half the depth of cut required then the second pass has always followed the first as its not really powerful enough to wander.

big-all · 8 Sep 2019

catlad said:
Mine came with an attachment that will run off the rail system, but if you cut half the depth of cut required then the second pass has always followed the first as its not really powerful enough to wander.

i shaved mine by about 3 or 4mm to work off the dewalt rail
also cut off the strange box to allow the full width off the guide to work
i would never consider it for a door but the i have a choice off tools

i think its great as it will cut with less than 140mm above the work ideal for under kitchen units

jertum · 25 Sep 2019

Sorry for the lack of reply to this - not been online in a while. Ended up getting the Evolution r165ccsl - far from professional grade but it's been great so far. Built a fence with it this past weekend and it can cut through other materials too, which is likely to come in useful. It's actually much more compact than I expected, so no issues on that front.

Thanks very much for all your suggestions.

conny · 26 Sep 2019

garyo said:
Is it just me or do they look lethal?

They not only look lethal but are lethal if used incorrectly. Just like any tool, be it powered or hand tool.
Lad in school many years ago playing with a flick knife. Bouncing it on the skin between thumb and forefinger when it suddenly split the skin and left his thumb dangling by a sinew. His hand was never the same.

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Compact circular saw?

Deleted member 174758

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