Go the itch to get a cordless saw (looking at new 18v dewalt as I already have 18v dewalt drill). Trying to talk myself out of it, I dont need one, just WANT one. For those of you with a cordless saw, how often do you use it, and what do you use it most for. Is it worth the ~$100.00 ( how long before it pays for itself).
m2akita
Ive probably already blown the tool budget this year by $600 -$1000, so Im really trying to go into remission.
There are some instances where multiple minisplits make sense.
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Replies
Sometimes I have a job that's going to be oh, 5-10 cuts. Not really enough to pull the Milwalkee electric out, cable, find a outlet, etc, etc.
Grab the 18v unit, cut, put it away.
Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the Handyman
Vancouver, Canada
I use a cordless saw regularly. Three of them in fact, but my favorite is the Disson ten point
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I use the Milwaukee 6 1/2" regularly: lightweight and unemcumbered, but the number of cuts is limited. But for the odd couple of cuts it can't be beat.
I recently bought one when I had to reside a few high gables with sidewall shingles. Can't be beat up on a scaffolding. I love it. One of those "where you been all my life" deals.
Been tryin` to talk myself into one for years...literally.
I know I could use one, and I`m certain once I owned one I`d find uses I hadn`t planned on....just can`t justify the cost to this point.
You said $100? Used or reconditioned?
I too use the Dewalt cordless drill, so if (when) I ever do, I`ll most likely go with the Dewalt....I plan on purchasing one with at least one battery though....perhaps you`re not and that accounts for the low pricetag. Keep in mind, buying only the saw you will need to make certain that not only do you carry around the one or two batteries you have for the drill, but that it will need to be charged and ready....otherwise you`ll be pullin` out the corded saw after all. I like to have seperate batteries, stored and charged, in the individual tool cases with each tool.
I`m looking into the cordless jigsaw myself, as it will afford me a bit more flexability in tasks. Cutting shakes to size (and shape) on a scaffold is what I`m envisioning.
`Course.....I could just by both. DOH!
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I have to agree with a lot of the other comments already. I own two of the Dewalt 6 1/2" 18V cordless saws and love the convience of grabbing those for one or two simple cuts, or for when I'm working off a ladder or scaffold and don't want the trip hazard of a cord. They do not replace the corded ones though for several operations. I wish I would have gotten the newer style with the angled handle. The switch lock is a little bit easier to work with. The boss uses Milwaukee brand. His saw is a little bit nicer for the layout of switches and such, but my dewalts seem to cut more than his. It might also be that I use a thinner kerf blade than he does as well.
If you already have bought into a battery system, look at Toolking.com in their cordless section for Tool Only deals. They also carry factory reconditioned items for another source of savings.
Jeremy
I,ve been using a DeWalt 5 3/8 cordless since they came out, and I can't say enough good about it. Buy oneand you'll never regret it.
By the way I also got one the Bosch Cordless Jigsaws, 14.4 Volt. Could not live without it for trim and finish carpentry, cuts everything, metal, wood, and laminates without a problem. Cordless is here to stay....
I got the same itch. I do a lot of remodeling work, and having a cordless circ saw on the site would be a great convenience. I use mainly Panasonic 15.6v drills, and I have looked at their cordless saw using these batteries.
I decided not to buy one -- at least for now.
A friend loaned me his Panasonic saw, using 12v batteries, and I was surprised with how weak and anemic it was. Could barely get through a 2 X 4.
I wonder if others have used the 15.6 Panasonic CS -- and have found it to be gutsier than the 12v?
I have had the 12 volt Panasonic saw for about 4 years and agree that it is not a workhorse at all. Panasonic rep even admitted that the old 12 volt saws were only for very light use, and of coarse added that they have totally re-engineered their saw for the 15.6 volt saws.
The first one I got was a Craftsman 14.4 kit with drill and saw. Figured the saw would be a joke. This one looks exactly like my 14.4 DW except for color and battery plug-in config. I was shocked at how well it worked. Batteries finally died but what the heck it was bought in 1998.
Have since got the DW version in 14.4. With good blade it will do most anything. They are not for production work.The plywood/panel blade kind of sux. I have the 24 v DW and also have a couple of the ac adapters ( did not need two but saw brand new one for $30 in one of the evil pawn shops). I have ripped 16' long 1x material with the little ones and cut wet PT 2x material also. Great for quick repairs, punch, etc. Usually keep one in the truck box for unexpecteds. Also keep one of the Fat Max Shark tooth Cordless in the same style as Piffin :-).
When one of my suppliers had a Makita/Milwaukee event they were offering a free battery with competitor trade. Guy brought a tired DW 14.4 saw, I asked rep what they would do with it, said give it to host. Asked him and he said take it. Gave it to BIL since he had drill and batteries.
Had Makita 6.5 14.4 and thought the safety switch was awkward, about smoked it trimming the bottom of a door. Sold all of the set plus impact to customer.
But hey I am a tool junkie. And it has been four days since my last purchase. Jones'n big time.
Edited 11/9/2004 12:54 pm ET by RASCONC
Since I got mine it's probably seem as much use as it's bigger plug in brother. Great for when you only have a few cuts to make.
I'd get one.
I like the Bosch better then the dewalt after using both, but if you have the batteries already the dewalt isnt a bad saw.
I couldn't live without my Makita 18V. I'm building a small cabin for the DW on a VERY isolated 40 acres - no power and the noise of a generator would be most unwelcome. DW got me the saw, and I've added several other Makita 18V tools (including an 18V chopsaw - wicked!), so I'm building the whole place with battery power. I love just grabbing the tools and not needing to worry about the cords. And when the batteries are empty, well, it's time to kick back with a brewski and enjoy the outdoors.
Loach
Gee thanks guys and/or gals. Had almost talked myself out of getting one, but now after everyones replies I just gotta have one Toolking has just the Dewalt 18v saw (new model dc390) for $80.00 + free shipping, so Ill probably go that route ( I wouldnt wish the older model dewalt on anyone, that safety switch drives me nuts). Just saw that Lowes as the 18v Dewalt XRP battery 2 pack for $99.00, so me thinks Im gonna pick up some more batteries.
Ohhh, I am a weak willed person. Hope that I will use it enough to justify its purchase, or at least make me feel a little less guilty.
Hey Piffin, Ive heard of them there type cordless saws!!!! Actually had to use one the other day. Not sure if Im fully recovered from it yet though =:) !!!
m2akita
M2AKITA:
We have a cordless circ saw at work and it does come in useful:
cutting roof strapping
cutting in mech venting on roofs
back framing on condos - lots of moves from one unit to another (but then you need cordless nailer too....)
anything in attic (ditto for cordless recip saw)
work on scaffolds
For my personal cordless saw I use Japanese ryoba saw (one side rip tooth, other side crosscut), with a higher end dozuki saw for fine cuts. Flush-cut saw is excellent for cutting trim. And all of these will crosscut a 2x on a 45!
Of course both types of 'cordless' saw get tired after more than a dozen or so cuts.
Blades for 6-1/2" saw are more expensive and limited in choice. 24V Makita or DeWalt use 7-1/4" blades with all their advantages. Also significantly better battery life than 18V.
Wally
Lignum est bonum.
I've got a Bosch 24V I love it. Everyone needs one.
Who Dares Wins.
I have the Dewalt 18v. I use it all the time, cuts great.
I agree with the others here - go ahead and get the saw, you will find yourself using it alot.
I have a 12 volt Panasonic, 18 volt Ridgid, and a 18 volt Bosch - I choose the Bosch
im not much of a fan, your battery has to be pretty new for them to be worthwhile BUT! for those up on the roof, hanging off, barely hanging on to life, kinna cuts where there is no other option but to cut in an un-safe way (blade facing you etc..) they have DC motors which have an excellent brake, so just like a cordless drill it stops the second you take your hand off the trigger. nice little life-saver every now and then.
You gotta love those weird hang over cuts don't you SKYE!?
I might purchase one just for that reason that you mentioned. It would come in handy for simple service cuts too.
blueWarning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, all of it is considered bottom of the barrel by Gabe. I am not to be counted amongst the worst of the worst. If you want real framing information...don't listen to me..just ask Gabe!
I have the occassion to use a Dewalt 18v all the time and hate it. But then again, I'm kind of tool snob and really only like to work with the tools that work well. For me it's skill saw or nothing (except for straight edge cutting, I use a pc for that). To me, the cordless ones are just under powered to do anything substantial and meaningful. Furthermore, I find the Dewalt (in particular) hard to hold and use because of the the silly saftey trigger and handle position. So it wraps up like this for me....
it is hard to use, the battery is always dead, the saftey trigger on the dewalt is not safe at all, and it's not powerful enough to do anything WELL which makes it only powerful enough to cut a serious gash in my leg. No thanks. I don't mind pulling out the cord.
Rob Kress
I personally dont like a cordless saw.
Without a cord there is no way to lower it down off a roof.
what Piffin said!
I got a stanley an old disson and 2-3 sandvics.
oh yeah and an assortment of Japanese style pull saws!
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
Well I ended up ordering the newer model 18V Dewalt. Came in the mail today, except no blade!!!!! Ill go buy a blade tomorrow and test it out.
The new model is a big improvement over the old dewalt, safety switch is actually useable.
-m2akita
MrT-Piffin-M2akita,
Question is, can any of you guys play a tune with them?
I'd be willing to bet that Piffin's post went over a lot of heads here! LOL
Dez
I have had the Porter Cable 6 1/2" 19.2 volt saw for a couple of years. It has a lot more power than I ever expected - in now way would I call it anemic. I was able to cut a full sheet of 3/4" plywood lengthwise with it but I would have needed a fresh battery for any more cutting after that.
Actually my fvavorite handsaw is my Stanley 10 point.
Not because it is an exceptional saw or any thing..
But because it rings the best!
I spend more time making it sing than I do sawing !
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
To all
I use a Milwaulkee cordless all the time now.
Rarely get out a corded saw-------perfect for cutting roof vents,replacing sheething, replacing the occasional rafter etc.
I would give up an air gun before the cordless Milwaulkee
There must be some kind of corollary to murphy's law about bat-saws and the batteries running down before you're finished...so after you climb down to get a fresh battery or you could carry a spare up in a bucket with the saw which you'll tie a rope to so when the whole mess tips over you can at least haul your bucket back up. The 15.6v panasonic w/ni-mh batteries is an excellant saw, if you shop it you can get the metal cutting kit for the price of the wood one and buy a wood blade.
Bought the first 18V DeWalt model that I got with the drill and two batteries (XR2) kit and bought the flashlight - maybe five years ago ?
Very very convenient and batteries are still going strong, probably due to the flashlight, which has been one of the most handy item.
Bought the saw/drill kit initially for ripping down beveled cedar siding and cutting off 2x4s.
Recently bought a 18V DW recip saw that came with a newer XR-pro battery and some sort of conditioning charger, which I will use for recharging the older 18V batteries.
This one I bought for harvesting bamboo poles using a metal hacksaw blade.
I inherited a 14.4 Royobi saw/drill set when my dad passed away last May. They were brand new and unused when I started using them in the house I'm building.
I'd never recommend them. Batteries tend to drain during the nite, the safety switch on the saw is a real pain (I had to duct-tape it into the 'on' position) and the saw ain't got any guts.
But I agree with the above....they can be very convenient when in an odd situation.
BruceM