On Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 8:33:07 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Sun, 16 Dec 2018 17:09:44 -0800 (PST), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 7:37:40 PM UTC-5, wrote:
On Sun, 16 Dec 2018 15:39:44 -0800 (PST), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 10:21:05 AM UTC-5, Spalted Walt wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote:

Christmas is coming. I'm considering buying a circular saw for my daughter.
She's 26.

Other than a drill, this will be her first real power tool. I have a Porter
Cable 743 left blade which I love. I'd buy her the same saw but it's no longer
available, other than used. Same for the 843 which I believe is the same saw
but with a brake. Same issue with PC 424 MAG, another saw in that same line.
(I think).

So, if I can't get what I'm familiar with, I'm looking for suggestions for
decent left blade circular saw. A brake would be great.

No, she is not going to start framing houses, at least not right away. ;-)
All I know really know is that she wants to start doing some woodworking
and was wondering what type of "first saw" she should get. She also
mentioned cutting up some pallets to make a compost bin.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Milwaukee 6391

I've owned the right-bladed cousin (6390) for ~20 yrs and have had no
complaints/issues.

https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools...e-circular-saw
https://www.toolbarn.com/milwaukee-6391-21.html/

Are you right-handed or left?

While a left-blade saw is what a right-handed person should, IMHO, be using,
the issue with some of them is that they blow the sawdust back into the face
of right handed users. It doesn't look like the 6391 addresses that issue.

The PC743 has a detachable dust chute that swivels to direct the sawdust
away from the user. The chute also allows a vacuum to be attached. I've
used that feature many times when using the saw indoors.

The Bosch CS5 appears to have addressed the blow back issue with the opening
I see in the housing. (That's an assumption) but it doesn't look like a vac
can be attached. Maybe there's an adapter?

I think you're right. The manual doesn't say anything about an
exhaust adapter and it gets dinged in the reviews for this.

I really like the shoe on the CS10 but it's, of course, a right-blade
saw. It has the slot for the sawdust port, as well. There's always
Festool. ;-)

...or used PC 743's

I'm glad I found one at a decent price. Once I change the cord and retainer,
and factor in the gas to go get it, I'm probably at $160ish. That's the very,
very low end of the ebay listings and I got to test it before paying for it.

That's pretty pricey for a circular saw. Lowes has the CS10 for $99.
The Ryobi 18V brushless cordless 7-1/4" saw is left-blade and $119.
Bosch's left-blade cordless is $129 but is only 6-1/2".

Have you ever tried a PC 743? Lot's of people on various forums lamenting
the fact the PC, back when it really was PC, stopped making them.

It really is a nice saw. Bottom line, since I have one and really like
it, I don't mind spending $160ish to get one for my daughter.


Toss in a chat-filled 3 hour drive with SWMBO and I think I got a pretty good
deal. ;-)

Road trips are always fun. We do a circuit of the Atlanta woodworking
stores every so often. 2x Woodcraft, 2x Rockler (though haven't been
to the new one yet), Peachtree, and Highland (SWMO even likes to go to
Highland).

I seem to spend a lot of time at Emory hospital, anymore, which is
only a couple of miles from Highland. After Dr's appointments, SWMBO
calls it my lollypop. ;-)