Has anyone done a comparison review of 8-1/4" circular saws? I've
looked for an article where they list all the various features and tell
how each brand did.

I want to find the lowest weight 8-1/4" circular saw with soft start,
brake, dust control, lowest noise, maximum depth of cut, easy blade
change, enough power to cut 2x hardwood (oak, maple, mahogany) without
burning up.

I'd prefer less than 15 amps required so I can use it with older house
wiring or a portable generator. Speed of cut is less important because
I'm already wasting time doing two cuts with a 7-1/4" saw (plus a lot
of planing and sanding) to get the job done. I'd save enough time with
an 8-1/4" saw to make up for a slower cut speed.

I know nothing's perfect. Obviously, a Wish list is just that. I'll buy
whatever meets the highest priority needs best.

If this were a gun, I'd look at Browning, if that helps.

Milwaukee

wrote:
Has anyone done a comparison review of 8-1/4" circular saws? I've
looked for an article where they list all the various features and tell
how each brand did.

SNIP

I know nothing's perfect. Obviously, a Wish list is just that. I'll buy
whatever meets the highest priority needs best.

If this were a gun, I'd look at Browning, if that helps.


BIG 2nd on the Milwaukee.

As a carpentry/woodworking contractor I am finding less and less
satisfaction with DeWalt, and it started with their circular saws and
recip saws. They are fine for the weekend guy and some occasional hard
use, but unless you get lucky they don't last.

Ditto Hitachi. PC is pretty good, but not great. Their sidewinders
have a little too much play in them, although with a 8" saw that
probably isn't that much of an issue.

I haven't used the Bosch, but I have a couple of 7 1/4" saws that seem
pretty good. Sturdy, pretty good muscle, and they have held up really
well. But I would still look at the red saws first.

My 0.02.

Robert

wrote in news:1156348691.909884.250540@
75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com:

Has anyone done a comparison review of 8-1/4" circular saws? I've
looked for an article where they list all the various features and tell
how each brand did.

I want to find the lowest weight 8-1/4" circular saw with soft start,
brake, dust control, lowest noise, maximum depth of cut, easy blade
change, enough power to cut 2x hardwood (oak, maple, mahogany) without
burning up.

I'd prefer less than 15 amps required so I can use it with older house
wiring or a portable generator. Speed of cut is less important because
I'm already wasting time doing two cuts with a 7-1/4" saw (plus a lot
of planing and sanding) to get the job done. I'd save enough time with
an 8-1/4" saw to make up for a slower cut speed.

I know nothing's perfect. Obviously, a Wish list is just that. I'll buy
whatever meets the highest priority needs best.

If this were a gun, I'd look at Browning, if that helps.


Either the Skil HD5860 or the Milwaukee 6378.

remember the amp rating is with the saw loaded down.

On 23 Aug 2006 08:58:11 -0700, wrote:

Has anyone done a comparison review of 8-1/4" circular saws? I've
looked for an article where they list all the various features and tell
how each brand did.

I want to find the lowest weight 8-1/4" circular saw with soft start,
brake, dust control, lowest noise, maximum depth of cut, easy blade
change, enough power to cut 2x hardwood (oak, maple, mahogany) without
burning up.

I'd prefer less than 15 amps required so I can use it with older house
wiring or a portable generator. Speed of cut is less important because
I'm already wasting time doing two cuts with a 7-1/4" saw (plus a lot
of planing and sanding) to get the job done. I'd save enough time with
an 8-1/4" saw to make up for a slower cut speed.

I know nothing's perfect. Obviously, a Wish list is just that. I'll buy
whatever meets the highest priority needs best.

If this were a gun, I'd look at Browning, if that helps.

For many years I've always just bought Millwaukee for C-Saws. I use
both a 71/4 and an 81/4.
Remember, an 81/4 is a bit of a beast compared to a 71/4. But it plows
through tough jobs with ease.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Has anyone done a comparison review of 8-1/4" circular saws? I've
looked for an article where they list all the various features and tell
how each brand did.

I want to find the lowest weight 8-1/4" circular saw with soft start,
brake, dust control, lowest noise, maximum depth of cut, easy blade
change, enough power to cut 2x hardwood (oak, maple, mahogany) without
burning up.

I'd prefer less than 15 amps required so I can use it with older house
wiring or a portable generator. Speed of cut is less important because
I'm already wasting time doing two cuts with a 7-1/4" saw (plus a lot
of planing and sanding) to get the job done. I'd save enough time with
an 8-1/4" saw to make up for a slower cut speed.

I know nothing's perfect. Obviously, a Wish list is just that. I'll buy
whatever meets the highest priority needs best.

If this were a gun, I'd look at Browning, if that helps.


Why 8 1/4" ? I have two of the 7 1/4 SkillMAG77 and now the Bosch version.
All still work great.
They cut anything and everything I need them to cut. I have one of the
MAG77's just for cutting steel. I never had a situation where I wished I
had a larger saw. If I had to replace all of my saw today, I would get the
1677MD 7-1/4" - it too is 15AMP and uses it all if required.

Dave



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"Teamcasa" wrote in message
...


Why 8 1/4" ?

Guess I lead a sheltered life. I wasn't even aware that there were 8 1/4's
until this thread started. I have several Craftsman (I'm a Sears retiree)
high end 7 !/4 circular saws including the worm drive. Haven't run into
anything they wouldn't do yet. RM~

"Teamcasa" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
ups.com...
Has anyone done a comparison review of 8-1/4" circular saws? I've
looked for an article where they list all the various features and tell
how each brand did.

I want to find the lowest weight 8-1/4" circular saw with soft start,
brake, dust control, lowest noise, maximum depth of cut, easy blade
change, enough power to cut 2x hardwood (oak, maple, mahogany) without
burning up.

I'd prefer less than 15 amps required so I can use it with older house
wiring or a portable generator. Speed of cut is less important because
I'm already wasting time doing two cuts with a 7-1/4" saw (plus a lot
of planing and sanding) to get the job done. I'd save enough time with
an 8-1/4" saw to make up for a slower cut speed.

I know nothing's perfect. Obviously, a Wish list is just that. I'll buy
whatever meets the highest priority needs best.

If this were a gun, I'd look at Browning, if that helps.


Why 8 1/4" ? I have two of the 7 1/4 SkillMAG77 and now the Bosch
version. All still work great.
They cut anything and everything I need them to cut. I have one of the
MAG77's just for cutting steel. I never had a situation where I wished I
had a larger saw. If I had to replace all of my saw today, I would get
the 1677MD 7-1/4" - it too is 15AMP and uses it all if required.


OP seems to have a depth of cut issue with the 7 1/4" saw... That extra
7/16" or so of depth over the 7 1/4" can make a lot of difference over the
course of a project when the materials are just a bit too thick!

John

Teamcasa wrote:

Why 8 1/4" ? I have two of the 7 1/4 SkillMAG77 and now the Bosch version.
All still work great.

I have a depth of cut problem. I'm mounting the saw to a thick guide
rail. I can't cut a 2" board with a 7-1/4" blade on that rail. If I
use the smaller saw, I have to turn it over and cut the rest of the
thickness, then plane and sand to make it smooth. It's a lot more work.
I'd rather cut once.

wrote in message
oups.com...

Teamcasa wrote:

Why 8 1/4" ? I have two of the 7 1/4 SkillMAG77 and now the Bosch
version.
All still work great.

I have a depth of cut problem. I'm mounting the saw to a thick guide
rail. I can't cut a 2" board with a 7-1/4" blade on that rail. If I
use the smaller saw, I have to turn it over and cut the rest of the
thickness, then plane and sand to make it smooth. It's a lot more work.
I'd rather cut once.


Can you use this? http://www.bigfoottools.com/bigTenInch.html

I have one and it really works good for cutting stacks of plywood.
Dave



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I saw the bigfoot. It's overkill. 8-1/4" is the right size.


Teamcasa wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...

Teamcasa wrote:

Why 8 1/4" ? I have two of the 7 1/4 SkillMAG77 and now the Bosch
version.
All still work great.

I have a depth of cut problem. I'm mounting the saw to a thick guide
rail. I can't cut a 2" board with a 7-1/4" blade on that rail. If I
use the smaller saw, I have to turn it over and cut the rest of the
thickness, then plane and sand to make it smooth. It's a lot more work.
I'd rather cut once.


Can you use this? http://www.bigfoottools.com/bigTenInch.html

I have one and it really works good for cutting stacks of plywood.
Dave



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wrote in message
ps.com...
I saw the bigfoot. It's overkill. 8-1/4" is the right size.


Then get the Milwaukee - Its a good saw.
Dave



Teamcasa wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...

Teamcasa wrote:

Why 8 1/4" ? I have two of the 7 1/4 SkillMAG77 and now the Bosch
version.
All still work great.

I have a depth of cut problem. I'm mounting the saw to a thick guide
rail. I can't cut a 2" board with a 7-1/4" blade on that rail. If I
use the smaller saw, I have to turn it over and cut the rest of the
thickness, then plane and sand to make it smooth. It's a lot more work.
I'd rather cut once.


Can you use this? http://www.bigfoottools.com/bigTenInch.html

I have one and it really works good for cutting stacks of plywood.
Dave





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----------------------------------------------------------
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