Small Circular Saws are a pretty common power tool, but they also dont get the correct respect in the tool world. There is no one small circular saw that is universal. Each small circular saw was made for a particular purpose. Some are 4 inches while others are 3-3/8th inch. Your job will determine the size of your small circular saw. Continue reading to learn how to choose the best small circular saw that will do common household tasks.
Looking for general information about circular saws and other tools? You can find complete information on Miter Saws (Table Saws), Chainsaws, Band Saws, Chainsaws and Circular Saws in our resource guide. These guides have all the information you need. These guides will provide you with history, information on the various types of the tool and top brands sold.
Dewalt Small Circular Saw
The Dewalt compact 20 V 4-1/2 Atomic circular saw is a worm feed small circular saw that is capable of cutting up to 369 Feet of a inch plywood. It is only 1-9/16ths wide, enough to cut through a 2×4 with ease. This saw can be used with all 20v DeWalt batteries.
Things We Loved
- The rafter hook makes it very convenient and easy to reach the tool. The rubber bumper protects the saw from scratches.
- The depth gauge was easy to adjust and well marked. The depth gauge has a push-down handle and a guide that will let you know how deep the cut is.
- It measures 2 x 10 cms. It can cut up to 2 x 10 cms.
Things We Didn’t Like
- It fails to make the 45-degree cut and doesn’t make it through the 2×4 successfully.
- The saw feels sluggish if it has larger batteries. However, a smaller battery will last longer.
Best For
Framing houses and cutting lots of 2×10 cms in a very short time. This saw is portable and can be carried around with ease.
Makita Small Circular Saw
Makita’s cordless Makita 3-3/20cm cordless circular saw doesn’t try to exaggerate its capabilities. This is a small trim saw, and it does exactly that. I use this to cut smaller pieces of plywood. It is used to trim pieces of cabinetry or to make minor adjustments to the trim.
Things We Loved
- Light and compact, and cuts a 3 cm depth at 90 degrees.
- 1500 RPMs is not too much, but not too little either. This saw can do the job that this size saw was made to do because it has a smaller level.
- Expandable Lithium-Ion battery packs.
Things We Didn’t Like
- The handle is really thin and feels almost too light, and the trigger is slightly too soft.
- The battery doesnt really last as long as I would hope. You have to recharge the battery more frequently than expected.
- The blade guard is made out of plastic, which gives very little protection if the saw gets dropped.
Best For
You can cut smaller pieces of wood and drywall. This tool is ideal if you have a section of drywall that requires light fixtures to be cut into it. Or if you are a hobbyist who needs small pieces of wood, but doesnt like using the table saw.
Ryobi Small Circular Saw
The Ryobi P506 5 –
Things We Loved
- It is light and affordable, which is why the low price is so appealing.
- It is cordless, which makes it a great saw for such a small size.
- The saw is really light and versatile for a circular saw. It was very light and easy to use.
Things We Didnt Like
- The blade guard is made from plastic.
- This saw has low power, and the battery needs to be fully charged for an afternoon home project. This saw is not ideal for all day work. The battery seems like it is not strong enough.
- It requires more oil maintenance than a regular saw. Because of its design, the bearings wear out fast if you dont oil it regularly.
- The saw blade size is not very common and difficult to find.
Best For
A DIY homeowner who needs to only cut a 2×4 a few times per year. This is also a good first saw for a new woodworker to learn how to use a circular saw.
Here Are Some Things To Consider When Looking For A Circular Saw.
You want to make sure you get the correct saw for the job, some things to consider are the blade size, and the job that you are trying to complete.
Blade Size
All circular saws take a specifically sized saw blade, usually 7-1/10 cm diameter. The blade’s size can be adjusted to adjust the cutting depth. However, it does not guarantee that the saw will cut the same thing. Every saw will have a different depth range, which is important depending on what you want to cut. These saw blades can also become dull and should be replaced regularly.
Make sure the circular saw you are looking to purchase has a universal arbor. This will make it easy to find replacement blades.
Rating Of Power
There are different power ratings for circular saws, 15 amp saws are pretty standard and work for around the house, or infrequent use. You might consider getting a higher power rating. This includes speed.
Sidewinder Versus Worm Feed
Wormfeed has a higher torque because the motor is in line with the blade; this is ideal for cutting hard surfaces, like concrete or wet lumber. This saw is made for heavy use and is resistant to kickbacks.
The Sidewinder saw is what most people think of when looking for a circular saw. The motor is on the side of the blade, making one side heavier than the other. This type is ideal for home projects and cutting projects.
Information About Brands
Dewalt
Dewalt tools have been a market leader with 9 innovation awards alone. Dewalt tools are a great choice for home use if you’re looking for tough, interesting power tools. Dewalt also offers Jobsite-ready tools that are up to the challenge. They offer a 3-year limited warranty for their products. You will never have an issue finding any service centers for Dewalt if you need to.
Makita
Makita is over 100 years old and has been innovating ever since its start. Makita makes strong tools for commercial-grade construction equipment. Makita has a number of service centers available in multiple areas if you have any issues, or need to use your 3-year limited warranty.
Ryobi
Owned by Techtronic industries of Hong Kong, Ryobi has worked with major manufacturers, such as Craftsman, and Milwaukee. The product line is sold only in the United States by Home Depot department stores. They do provide a 2-year limited warranty on their power tools, but it is difficult to find a service center.
The Best Small Circular Saw: Our Take
All three saws are great and used for different purposes, we like the Makita 3-3/8th for cutting drywall, and our pick for 2 x 10 cms is the Ryobi. The Dewalt is a cool looking and exciting power tool, but after the excitement wears off, I dont think I am going to use it as often as I intended to.
The Dewalt Atomic 4-1/2inch small circular saw is really flashy, shiny, and new, which makes it an attractive option, but when it comes to making the important cuts, it falls short.
The Ryobi can cut through 2×10 cms and other materials in the exact same way as the Dewalt, but at a lower price. The only downside to the Ryobi is that the replacement saw blades are difficult to find anywhere except Home Depot.
