Which Circular Saw? - Mac Allister vs Guild

[CrazyFool]

Hi guys

I'm finally going to take the plunge on purchasing a circular saw.
I need to cut wood maybe once a year and always find myself having to compromise by using a jigsaw, hand saw or electric saw.

Both of the following cost £40. Can't justify paying any more given how infrequently I will use it:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mac-allister-mscs1200-1200w-165mm-electric-circular-saw-220-240v/314gf

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4576925

Which one do you recommend? I'm happy to take other recommendations too.

Kind regards

CF

 

[ETAF]

Just a DIYer, I would probably get the Screwfix version, just because the 165mm blade have various manufacturers , SaxtonBlades / Dewalt / Freud etc
Not sure on the 160mm blade on the Argos one, I think they are in Festool

But as i have a 165mm Circ Saw, and I have Dewalt, Freud & Saxtonblades for my Dealt Circ Saw - BUT they are 20mm bore rather than 16mm
BUT blades often can be supplied with a reducing ring
https://www.saxtonblades.co.uk/tct-circular-saw-blades/165mm-216mm-blades/165mm-blades

Comes with a 24T blade, I often use a 40T/48T blade on my Saw for fine cutting

the screwfix has a softstart, which may stop fuses blowing on startup - but 1200w should be OK

And only a few mm but 55mm cut v 52mm cut

 

[SFK]

The big issue with the £40 Screwfix McAllister is that it uses blades with a 16mm bore (the hole in the middle of the blade).
And Screwfix only have two of these 16mm bore blades in their entire shop.
Bad news having a tool that you cannot easily get new blades for.

20mm and 40mm bore sizes are the 'norm' for Circular saws.
https://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/cutting-blades/cat5970020#category=cat5990012

Blades with 20mm bore are much more available and start at £10.
So perhaps cheaper to spend £50 (also a bit more power):
https://www.screwfix.com/p/evolutio...0v/266fx#product_additional_details_container

Cannot see bore size of Argos.
Update: 24 tooth, TCT blade already fitted (160mm diameter with 20mm bore size)

 

[JohnD]

screwfix macallister are real cheap range.

is that OK?

 

[CrazyFool]

Just a DIYer, I would probably get the Screwfix version, just because the 165mm blade have various manufacturers , SaxtonBlades / Dewalt / Freud etc
Not sure on the 160mm blade on the Argos one, I think they are in Festool

But as i have a 165mm Circ Saw, and I have Dewalt, Freud & Saxtonblades for my Dealt Circ Saw - BUT they are 20mm bore rather than 16mm
BUT blades often can be supplied with a reducing ring
https://www.saxtonblades.co.uk/tct-circular-saw-blades/165mm-216mm-blades/165mm-blades

Comes with a 24T blade, I often use a 40T/48T blade on my Saw for fine cutting

the screwfix has a softstart, which may stop fuses blowing on startup - but 1200w should be OK

And only a few mm but 55mm cut v 52mm cut

The big issue with the £40 Screwfix McAllister is that it uses blades with a 16mm bore (the hole in the middle of the blade).
And Screwfix only have two of these 16mm bore blades in their entire shop.
Bad news having a tool that you cannot easily get new blades for.

20mm and 40mm bore sizes are the 'norm' for Circular saws.
https://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/cutting-blades/cat5970020#category=cat5990012

Blades with 20mm bore are much more available and start at £10.
So perhaps cheaper to spend £50 (also a bit more power):
https://www.screwfix.com/p/evolutio...0v/266fx#product_additional_details_container

Cannot see bore size of Argos.
Update: 24 tooth, TCT blade already fitted (160mm diameter with 20mm bore size)

screwfix macallister are real cheap range.

is that OK?

Thanks for the comments guys.

So basically, the Argos one permits a more mainstream bore size (20mm) and the screwfix one has a more common disc size (165mm).
Which one should I give preference to?
I note that the screwfix one gives a deeper cut by a few mm too.
I dont expect to replace the disc any time soon as I only use it for 1 project per year but understand that it will be inevitable.

Thanks again

CF

 

[CrazyFool]

Hey guys
So I've done some quick searching on ebay and there are a dozen or so replacement blades for both 160/20 and 165/16 at the £10 mark or less.
This gives me the confidence to proceed with either.

Screwfix Mac Allister has soft start and a 55mm deep cut, 3mm more than Argos Guild.
Are there any other issues I need to be aware of?
What about build quality of the item itself? does anybody have any such experience?

Thanks Again
CF

 

[scbk]

You haven't said what you're going to be cutting?

If you're not in a mad rush, the lidl & aldi powertools they sometimes have in are usually pretty good for diy.

 

[sxturbo]

Macalister, never heard of guild

 

[ETAF]

chances are they are all made in china and badged differently
Macalister is a B&Q brand , hence screwfix (part of the kingfisher group)

Lidl - Parkside made in china , same factory makes Einhell branded
Aldi - Ferrox tools , also made in china with Worx
Guild - Homebase / Argos

https://www.protoolreviews.com/news/power-tool-manufacturers-who-owns-them/43632/

 

[CrazyFool]

Thanks guys, Will pick up a Mac Allister from screwfix tomorrow.

You haven't said what you're going to be cutting?

If you're not in a mad rush, the lidl & aldi powertools they sometimes have in are usually pretty good for diy.

My current project is to make some shelves.
usually my requirements are for cutting sheet wood.

Thanks again for all the advice

 

[ETAF]

if making shelves , What material are you using and what cut finish are you after.
You may want to look at getting a blade with more teeth then the supplied 24T one, will give a smoother cross cut
As mentioned, I use the 48T Saxtonblades & 40T Freud blades with my 165 Circular saw now for sheet material making "furniture" type products. MRMDF, BirchPly & Furniture board.

have a read online re different blade teeth
https://makezine.com/2016/09/15/understanding-saw-blade-essentials/

 

[CrazyFool]

if making shelves , What material are you using and what cut finish are you after.
You may want to look at getting a blade with more teeth then the supplied 24T one, will give a smoother cross cut
As mentioned, I use the 48T Saxtonblades & 40T Freud blades with my 165 Circular saw now for sheet material making "furniture" type products. MRMDF, BirchPly & Furniture board.

have a read online re different blade teeth
https://makezine.com/2016/09/15/understanding-saw-blade-essentials/

Good shout.
Will this work?:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saxton-Cordless-Circular-Compatible-Dewalt/dp/B07MVCVCNS

 

[Diver Fred]

Search for Peter Millard on Utoobe.

he has Lots of info on power tools

 

[ETAF]

Yep, thats saxton blades, its a 20mm bore, so you would need the reducing ring , They are very helpful to talk to over the phone, if you want to discuss the saw and the effectiveness of the reducing ring BEFORE you purchase.
See a video here - the reducing ring does need to be fitted correctly

https://www.saxtonblades.co.uk/tct-circular-saw-blades/165mm-216mm-blades/165mm-blades

I posted the link to the company site in my earlier post
Cheap enough compared to the Freud and has a thinner Kerf
And thats the one i use - but I have a 20mm bore

Did you say you found 165mm with a 16mm bore blades ? Which would remove any issues with the reducing ring

OR

AS SFX mentioned spending another £10 for
https://www.screwfix.com/p/evolutio...rm=58258#product_additional_details_container

My Son-in-law has the Evolution Mitre saw with a multimaterial blade and has cut metal and plastic with it
So it maybe worth considering the Evolution and having the spare multi-material blade
have a read of some of the reviews

Peter Millard (Bespoke Cabinet maker) is great , I have watched ALL his videos and now watch most weekends, as he posts a new one each Friday
He mentions in his tracksaw/plunge saw series that he uses the standard festool blade which is 160mm 48Teeth for all his cabinet making.