Electric Circular Saws

For this class of 7 ¼” circular saws, you are an average home owner with limited woodworking skills. You are looking to purchase a saw that can do some small projects at a reasonable price; something that can cut or rip lumber but is easy to use.

1

7 ¼” Porter Cable Circular Saw - Left Hand Blade
Cost: 149.99
Warranty: 3 years
Amperage: 15 amps
Blade Speed: 5,800 RPMs with no load
> Cutting Depth: 2 7/16” at 90 degrees, 1 13/16” at 45 degrees
Bevel Angle: 0-45 degrees
Weight: 10.5 pounds
Volts: 120
Electric Brake: no
Carrying Case: yes
Blade Tool Holder: yes
Laser Line: no
Edge Guide: yes
Safety Switch: yes
The sight line for cutting along draw line is not clearly visible till partway through the cut.
To change the saw blades is a little harder because of the left hand blade(it has a left hand thread).
Depressing the blade lock is hard to get to.
The saw has a perfect balance.
This saw has no safety switch.
This saw glides smoothly over work surface.
The edge guide is easy to adjust but the set screw needs to be added each time you are using it.

2

7 ¼” Radley Circular Saw - Right Hand Blade
Cost: 59.99
Warranty: 3 years
Amperage: 12 amps
Blade Speed: 5,600 no load (not cutting wood)
Cutting Depth: 2 ½” at 90 degrees, 1 13/16” at 45 degrees
Bevel Angle: 0-50 degrees
Weight: 9.9 pounds
Volts: 120
Electric Brake: no
Laser Line: no
Carrying Case: no
Blade Tool Holder: yes
Safety Switch: yes
The sight line for cutting along draw line is clearly visible and easy to follow.
To change the saw blade is really easy, to depress the blade lock is a breeze.
The balance of this saw has a slight forward tilt but very manageable.
To depress the safety switch is easy for a right hand operator, a little harder for a left hand operator.
This saw has a slight drag when pushing across work surface.
The edge cutting guide is easy to attach and adjust.

3

7 ¼” Skil Circular Saw - Right Hand Blade
Cost: 89.99
Warranty: 3 years
Amperage: 15 amps
Blade Speed: 5,300 no load
Cutting Depth: 2 7/16” at 90 degrees, 1 15/16” at 45 degrees.
Bevel Angle: 0-51 degrees
Weight: 11.5 pounds
Volts: 120
Electric Brake: no
Carrying Case: yes
Laser Line: yes
Blade Tool Holder: yes
Edge Guide: yes
Safety Switch: yes
The sight line for cutting along your draw line is easily followed with the aid of the lazer line.
To change the blade on this saw is very easy, to depress the blade lock is easily accessed.
The balance of this saw has a slight forward tilt, but set up nicely with your draw line.
To depress the safety switch is very easy for a left hand or right hand operator.
This saw glides very smoothly over work surface.
The use of edge guide is easy to set up and adjust.

4

7 ¼” Dewalt Circular Saw - Right Hand Blade Cost: 169.99
Warranty: 3 years
Amperage: 15 amps
Blade Speed: 5,800 rpm no load
Cutting Depth: 2 9/16” at 90 degrees, 1 15/16” at 45 degrees
Bevel Angle: 0-56 degrees
Weight 10.5 pounds
Volts: 120
Electric Brake: no
Blade Tool Holder: no
Laser Line: no
Edge Guide: yes
Carrying Case: yes
Safety Switch: no
The sight line is really visible to follow draw line.
To change the blade on this saw is easy, to depress the blade lock is very smooth. The blade changing tool is not stored on the saw.
The balance of this saw has a slight forward tilt, works best with 2 hands to get started.
This saw glides with ease on work surface.
The edge guide is easy to attach and adjust.


Judging Criteria

GENERAL PURPOSE - 35 POINTS

  • Overall usage
  • Easy to set up
  • Manual easy to understand
  • Amperage for hard and soft lumber

SAFETY - 25 POINTS

  • Has a safety switch
  • Blade guard
  • Sight line visible

DURABILITY - 25 POINTS

  • Rugged shell
  • A tough glide sole plate
  • Rugged bevel guide adjustment

ACCESSORIES - 15 POINTS

  • Carrying case
  • Laser line
  • Edge guide
  • Extra blade storage
  • Electric brake

Additional Info

Features to look for when selecting your saw:

  • How often it would be used
  • Types of wood to be cut (hardwood or softwood)
  • How easy to push the safety switch
  • Line of sight to draw line
  • Weight, balance, amperage, price
  • Added accessories; laser light, edge guide, wrench for changing blade
  • Warranty
  • Does it come with a carrying case.

Features when using the saw.

  • When using the saw balance is an asset, this helps with setting up saw to draw line and creates less fatigue.
  • How easy to depress safety switch for starting the saw.
  • Should have a saw with at least 15 amps, this will cut hard and soft woods easier. The higher the amps, the more it costs to operate but a low amperage saw could burn out faster.
  • The sight line of saw to draw line should be easily visible at 45 or 90 degrees.
  • Laser sight line is a major plus.
  • A carrying or storage case is also a plus.