Under £150 Circular Saw Recommendations

[brown-nought]

I need to get a new circular saw has any one any views on the Makita – 5704, 5703 or Dewalt DW365? I willing to spent up to £150 for decent piece of 110v kit.

 

[davelloyd]

brown-nought,

I have a Makita 5903RK, along with half a dozen other saws, and am really happy with it.

It's bigger and more expensive than the ones you mention but it has a better base that is not made of pressed steel as are the cheaper ones in the range.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=22635&recno=7

I cut roofs for a living and this saw comes in for some HEAVY use with no problems. I even modified one to use a 12" blade and the motor holds up just fine.

http://www.dmlloyd.supanet.com/~dmlloyd/Roofing/bigboy2.jpg

However, if you want a handy saw that is more like using a hand saw then you could think about using an American worm drive saw. I have one of these -

http://www.skil.com/Products/Tools/Circular+Saws/product.htm?id=HD77M

- and I just love it. You'd have to import it though

David Lloyd

 

[brown-nought]

Thanks for the info.

 

[tim00]

davelloyd, how do you go on with a corded us tool such as a worm drive here in the uk? What transformer do you use and does it hold up to continuous use? Do you use any other us corded tools?
Nice job with the conversion, are you familiar with Larry Haun and some of the tools he uses for production roof framing in Ca. ?

 

[davelloyd]

Tim00,

I just use a standard british site transformer with no problems at all. I have a few other US tools too including a 110volt battery charger. I'll see if I can find some pictures of my own wormdrive and you'll be able to see that it's seen PLENTY of action

I had concerns a while back due to all the misinformation that is flying around so I posted at this professional electricians forum and this was the response -

http://electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000723.html

I don't have any of Larry Haun's books but I do use American production cutting techniques and have direct contact with a few "cutters" in the States. I also have a few tools I have modified to make life easier. The Makita I altered tips over to 70 degrees for making seat cuts down to a 20 degree pitch.

These methods are a real time saver..............

David Lloyd