Ancient B&D circular saw just died in middle of a bit of flooring
chipboard so I cannot wait for special deals. I have read the Wiki and
past recommendations. The Makita 5704RK looks as if it wd do me and is
within budget at £100 online. I've also read the recommendations for
the Hitachi C7 but am a bit lost as there seem to be so many variants -
C7SS, C7U2, CD7SA.

Any suggestions as to which of these, or others, is worth my pension
please?
--
Robin
reply to address is (meant to be) valid

On 09/07/2012 19:36, Robin wrote:
Ancient B&D circular saw just died in middle of a bit of flooring
chipboard so I cannot wait for special deals. I have read the Wiki and
past recommendations. The Makita 5704RK looks as if it wd do me and is
within budget at £100 online. I've also read the recommendations for
the Hitachi C7 but am a bit lost as there seem to be so many variants -
C7SS, C7U2, CD7SA.

Any suggestions as to which of these, or others, is worth my pension
please?

The Mak is a well liked saw in general (I have the SF "Site" branded
version of it) - smooth, cuts well, fairly solid construction. Only
gripe with it is the lead is a bit short - but that may be one of
concessions of buying the Site version rather than the Mak branded version!)

I have used a few Hitachi saws as well, and generally like them -
especially their big 9" ones. The cast base plate is nice. The CD7SA you
are paying a bit more for its metal cutting capabilities (better
shrouding to control sparks etc). Some of the newer 7" saws have a
plastic / polycarbonate blade guard that is not as well liked by all.
(and the power ranger styling can be a bit of an acquired taste!)

Lawson have the Makita at a reasonable price at the mo.




--
Cheers,

John.

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| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
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On 09/07/2012 19:36, Robin wrote:
Ancient B&D circular saw just died in middle of a bit of flooring
chipboard so I cannot wait for special deals. I have read the Wiki and
past recommendations. The Makita 5704RK looks as if it wd do me and is
within budget at £100 online. I've also read the recommendations for
the Hitachi C7 but am a bit lost as there seem to be so many variants -
C7SS, C7U2, CD7SA.

Any suggestions as to which of these, or others, is worth my pension
please?

Although I'm usually a big Makita fan, especially their jigsaws, I don't
like their circular saws at all. The base is sheet metal as is the
blade guard. The blade guard bends if you look at it to hard & the
little plastic wheels fall off every 5 mins.

I gave mine to my SIL and bought an AEG KS66 184mm jobby.

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Powe.../sd2767/p22548

Little over your budget but seriously this is the best circular saw I
have ever used. Puts a smile on your face every time you use it.
Everything about it is just 'right'.

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

Robin wrote:

Ancient B&D circular saw just died in middle of a bit of flooring
chipboard so I cannot wait for special deals. I have read the Wiki and
past recommendations. The Makita 5704RK looks as if it wd do me and is
within budget at £100 online.

Yes, thats a good one. I've had one for 5 years, and cannot really fault
it.
For a fine finish, Dewalt do a 40 tooth blade, which is what I use all
the time.
My first one was stolen, I then bought the Site branded one, which is
exactly the same apart from being red.

--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

On 09/07/2012 20:30, A.Lee wrote:
Robin wrote:

Ancient B&D circular saw just died in middle of a bit of flooring
chipboard so I cannot wait for special deals. I have read the Wiki and
past recommendations. The Makita 5704RK looks as if it wd do me and is
within budget at £100 online.

Yes, thats a good one. I've had one for 5 years, and cannot really fault
it.
For a fine finish, Dewalt do a 40 tooth blade, which is what I use all
the time.
My first one was stolen, I then bought the Site branded one, which is
exactly the same apart from being red.

Is the cable as short on the real Makita? (On my Site its only about 6'
long - nice rubber - but too short)


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

John Rumm wrote:

On 09/07/2012 20:30, A.Lee wrote:
Robin wrote:

. The Makita 5704RK looks as if it wd do me and is
within budget at £100 online.

Yes, thats a good one. I've had one for 5 years, and cannot really fault
it.
For a fine finish, Dewalt do a 40 tooth blade, which is what I use all
the time.
My first one was stolen, I then bought the Site branded one, which is
exactly the same apart from being red.

Is the cable as short on the real Makita? (On my Site its only about 6'
long - nice rubber - but too short)

Yes, could not tell any difference between them.
--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

On 09/07/2012 19:36, Robin wrote:
Ancient B&D circular saw just died in middle of a bit of flooring
chipboard so I cannot wait for special deals. I have read the Wiki and
past recommendations. The Makita 5704RK looks as if it wd do me and is
within budget at £100 online. I've also read the recommendations for
the Hitachi C7 but am a bit lost as there seem to be so many variants -
C7SS, C7U2, CD7SA.

Any suggestions as to which of these, or others, is worth my pension
please?



I bought a BD 7.25" saw in 1982 ... still going strong, and has
incredible amount of use.
Unlike my other B&D purchases this seems to be built to last.

If I were to need a new one currently, I would not buy Makita, to spend
360 days a year not being used ... just too expensive for DIY use ...
great if you are a chippy and using couple of times a week.

Get a 185mm at least 1200W ...... I'm a fan of DeWalt, but for
occasional use the TITAN looks reasonable value and not bad when I
looked at them. (on sale in Screwfix)

Rick Hughes wrote
Robin wrote

Ancient B&D circular saw just died in middle of a bit of flooring
chipboard so I cannot wait for special deals. I have read the Wiki and
past recommendations. The Makita 5704RK looks as if it wd do me and is
within budget at £100 online. I've also read the recommendations for
the Hitachi C7 but am a bit lost as there seem to be so many variants -
C7SS, C7U2, CD7SA.

Any suggestions as to which of these, or others, is worth my pension
please?

I bought a BD 7.25" saw in 1982 ...

I bought my 9¼" in 1971...

still going strong,

Mine has seen the main switch fail.

and has incredible amount of use.

I built my house with mine.

Unlike my other B&D purchases this seems to be built to last.

Mine hasn't, but I haven't tried to get a new switch yet.

I just plug and unplug it from the extension cord instead.

If I were to need a new one currently, I would not buy Makita, to spend
360 days a year not being used ... just too expensive for DIY use ...
great if you are a chippy and using couple of times a week.

Get a 185mm at least 1200W ...... I'm a fan of DeWalt, but for occasional
use the TITAN looks reasonable value and not bad when I looked at them.
(on sale in Screwfix)

On Jul 9, 7:36*pm, "Robin" wrote:

Any suggestions as to which of these, or others, is worth my pension
please?

Depends what you want it for. Mostly I use my fixed cabinet saw for
everything, because it's just neater and safer than a freehand saw. My
handheld saw is thus reduced to only breaking down plywood sheets. For
this I use a cheap, lightweight Skil (when Skil were decent). Being
small and light, it's a better saw for simple sheetgoods than "real"
circular saws. It is though fitted with a fine blade, and for these
small saws it is often difficult to find other blades to fit diameter
and bore.

I've also got a couple of Makitas that I use for onsite carpentry.
Either Makita or Hitachi IMHE are good choices. Bending the sheetmetal
is the usual problem. A sheetmetal base can get bent, so Hitachi can
win out here, but they also seem very easy to bend their riving knife.
If you can find any of the red "Site" stuff around, that seems like
very good value.