Features a sawdust blower function which helps to clean the guide for perfectly clean cuts. The LED light makes it possible to operate the tool in poorly-lit conditions.
The upper handguard might seem somewhat stiff.
This cordless saw from Makita is an easy-to-use tool that will definitely find its place in a toolbox of any professional or DIYer. While it has a lightweight construction it houses a high-capacity motor which can spin the blade up to mind-boggling 5000 RPM, enough to cut even some of the most solid woods.
Cordless
18 V / 3 Ah
680 W
5000 RPM
165 mm
90° - 57 mm
50° - 37 mm
45° - 41 mm
0° - 50°
Left
3.3 kg
Automatic speed control, Tool hanger, Twin LED job light, Ergonomic soft grip, Blower function to clear cutting line, Large stable base, LED charge indicator lights
Upper guard, Electric brake, Soft start, Overload protection current limiter (electronic), Large lock-off lever
1 year limited
Boasting intuitive operation, the GKS 18V-57 is equipped with an adjustable parallel guide that allows making precise cuts along the workpiece edge. An integrated air blower and ergonomic handle ensures comfortable use. All necessary safety features are also here.
It has a comparatively low RPM speed.
The unit has a lightweight and durable base plate that ensures easy sawing in hard-to-reach places. An intelligent brake system will stop the saw blade in case of power failure. Being a great choice for numerous applications, this cordless circular saw by Bosch can be recommended for both novice and experienced carpenters.
Cordless
18 V
3400 RPM
165 mm
90° - 57 mm
45º - 39 mm
0° - 45°
Right
4.1 kg
Integrated LED, Ergonomic soft grip, Parallel guide, Dust extraction adapter, Hex key, LED charge indicator lights
Die-cast aluminium lower guard, Electric brake, Large stable aluminium base plate, Spindle lock button
3 years
Easy to set up, the unit comes with a couple of 190mm blades to choose from (40T and 24T) and a hex wrench for changing the blade. To make cutting more professional and accurate, the item is equipped with a built-in laser guide.
Laser guide alignment could be easier.
Fitted with a powerful copper motor, the HYCHIKA circular saw can be used for wood, PVC plastic, and even soft metal cutting. To increase user comfort, the tool has an ergonomic handle and a dust outlet. A robust aluminium guard will ensure safe operation and prolong the service life of the unit.
Corded
230 V
1500 W
4700 RPM
115 mm
90° - 65 mm
45º - 45 mm
0° - 45°
Right
4 kg
Ergonomic slim grip, Laser guide, Scale ruler, Dust blower, 24T blade, 40T blade, Allen wrench, 2 button cells for laser guide included
Lower guard, Safety switch, Aluminium guard
2 years
Despite its modest dimensions, this model features a powerful motor that can spin the blade at the speed as high as 5200 RPM without breaking a sweat. Meanwhile, double insulation will efficiently prevent overheat and the level of noise won't exceed 87 dBA.
The aluminium base is prone to scratches.
The Makita HS7601J is an affordable circular saw that has a lot to offer. Its light weight and exceptional manoeuvrability allow for perfectly clean cuts even if you are not a professional. For added convenience and easy transportation, the kit is supplied with a handy MakPac carry case.
Corded
240 V
1200 W
5200 RPM
190 mm
90° - 66 mm
45º - 46 mm
0° - 45°
Right
3.8 kg
Rear dust exhaust port, Rear angular guide, Single action lever, Ergonomic soft grip, MakPac carry case included
Double insulation, Aluminium die-cast safety cover, Aluminium base plate
3 years
A durable blade and easy cutting depth adjustment allows you to handle multiple sawing tasks in no time at all. An ergonomic guide rail will ensure easy operation and high cutting precision. To provide the user's safety, the item features a reliable aluminium guard.
The machine is pretty loud in operation.
The unit's high-quality blade and precise cutting control will ensure excellent sawing results each time. The machine is ideal for home woodworking tasks and a variety of DIY projects. Simple operation and customisable settings make it an excellent choice for experienced users and beginners alike.
Corded
240 V
1200 W
5600 RPM
160 mm
90° - 55 mm
45° - 38 mm
0° - 45°
Right
3.9 kg
Ergonomically designed handles, CutControl for clean cuts, Spindle lock, Guide rail accessory
Lock-off button for On/Off switch, Robust aluminium protective guard
2 years
A Cordless Model Done Just Right
The 18 V circular saw from Makita is a great example of a cordless model done just right. A rigid body in a combination with the enormous autonomous capabilities makes the woodworking an easy and pleasant experience.
A rather small-sized brushless engine of the DHS680Z can produce the speed of up to 5000 RPM in no-load mode, which is quite impressive as for an 18 V/3 A device. Since the saw is battery-powered it requires an original 18 V battery that doesn’t come together in one package, unfortunately. Although it will be more expensive to get both a brushless saw and a battery instead of a corded model with a brushed engine, in the long run, this purchase will prove worth those added costs.
One of the main advantages of brushless engines is a higher performance as compared to their brushed counterparts. Besides, being more powerful, they have a longer service life than the engines with brushes, since metal brushes tend to wear off quicker which reduces the output power of the motor and the tool on the whole.
As for the specifications of the device, this circular saw has a bevel capacity of 90°, 50°, and 45° with a cutting depth of 57mm, 37mm, and 41mm, respectively. On top of that, the construction of the housing allows for connecting a vacuum to suck the sawdust as you work. The base of the saw also features a blower that will conveniently remove all the sawdust from the cutting line, while two LED work lights will highlight the line for additional accuracy.
Accurate and reliable are, perhaps, the best words that will perfectly describe the DHS680Z. In case you were desperate to find a powerful circular cutter that you can carry with ease, then this model from Makita is the best circular saw for this role.
Safety Comes First
When it comes to electric tools, safety and durability are no less important than motor performance. This miniature circular saw by Bosch has a robust and lasting design. It has a sturdy steel base plate and a die-cast aluminium lower guard. Designed with the user in mind, the machine uses an intelligent brake system that will make the saw blade stop immediately in case of power failure.
Easy to use, safe and manoeuvrable, this cordless mini circular saw can be used for a variety of sawing applications. It offers up to 57mm cutting depth at 90° angle and up to 39mm depth at 45º angle. Though the unit's DC motor delivers a lower RPM speed compared to its rivals, it is powerful enough to ensure fast and easy cutting of solid wood, OSB, plywood and MDF.
As for the cutting accuracy, equipped with a parallel guide, it not only ensures easy cutting along the edge but will also make cutting strips with the same dimensions a breeze.
To provide ultimate manoeuvrability, this miniature circular saw is battery-powered, so you can easily carry it from one room to another. Just keep in mind that you will need to buy batteries and a charger separately (make sure to choose the ones recommended by the manufacturer).
Summing up, the Bosch Professional GKS 18 V circular saw is a portable, safe and functional wood cutting tool that can be recommended for both aspiring and experienced carpenters.
Saw Wood and More
If you are looking for a reliable tool for fast and precise cutting of various materials, opt for the HYCHIKA circular saw. Equipped with a 1500W copper motor, it can deliver up to 4700 RPM speed. The maximum cutting depth is 65mm at 90° and 45mm at 45° cutting angle; setting the desired angle is simple. The unit comes with two 190mm blades (40T and 24T) that will ensure easy cutting of plastic, wood and even soft metal. Changing the blades is a breeze thanks to the included hex wrench.
To make all cuts as accurate and precise as possible, this powerful circular saw has a built-in laser guide. Note that the laser guide is powered by two button cells (included in the box). Meanwhile, a guide ruler will help you to control the cutting width.
Last but not the least, the circular saw is equipped with a safety switch and a robust and durable aluminium guard. Also, this functional unit has a dust outlet that you can connect to your vacuum cleaner to keep your working place clean and tidy. A handy grip will help to minimise fatigue during a one-handed operation.
To wrap it all up, the HYCHIKA circular saw with a built-in laser guide will ensure professional and precise cutting. Powerful as it is, it can be used to cut through various materials.
| Last updated price | £49.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0899BSS1Y |
Best Mini Circular Saw With a Powerful Motor
Seek power and high torque cutting, yet, are not much into a hefty design? If so, a compact circular saw from Makita will get you covered. Combining corded power with a mini design, this model delivers excellent cutting performance close to that of bulkier models.
With a top spinning speed of 5200 RPM provided by a powerful 1200-watt motor, the saw can cut nearly everything, from hardwood to plastics and metals. A high-quality build with a special adjustable bevel, which can be tuned from 0° to 45°, makes it easy to cut workpieces according to your needs. An all-purpose blade that comes together with the saw is 190 mm in diameter and can easily cut workpieces up to 66 mm thick, given that cutting angle is set to 0°. Even though the standard blade is quite durable, we recommend changing it on a regular basis, especially if you intend using the saw a lot.
As for the safety features, despite its lightweight design, the saw boasts double insulation that securely protects the user from the risk of electric shock. More than that, the tool has a blade guard to keep sparks and chips at bay. For added convenience, you can even connect a vacuum cleaner using an all-purpose dust port on the back of the blade guard. That's a nice option for larger projects engaging a lot of cutting tasks and mess.
To sum up, the Makita HS7601J/2 is an affordable and functional compact circular saw that has a lot to offer. Whatever task you have at hand, it won’t let you down. Meanwhile, its small-sized design makes it highly portable.
Ergonomic and Precise
If you are looking for a quality budget-friendly circular saw for your DIY projects, opt for this functional item by Bosch. This hand-held model is equipped with a powerful 1200 W motor that will provide 5600 RPM no-load speed for excellent sawing performance. Meanwhile, the Speedline Wood saw blade that comes with the purchase has a 160 mm diameter and allows for up to 55 mm cutting depth (at 90°). Need you to replace the blade, an integrated spindle lock will help you to do this quickly and easily.
Designed with the user in mind, this corded circular saw by Bosch has a lock-off switch that will prevent the machine from being switched on accidentally. For additional protection, the saw blade is covered with a robust aluminium guard. To keep your workplace clean, you can also get the CleanSystem Box (sold separately) that will help you to collect dust and debris.
To add to its benefits, the unit has comfy handles with a non-slip coating. User-friendly controls will ensure hassle-free cutting depth adjustment, and an included parallel guide will guarantee cutting precision.
In a word, boasting intuitive operation and allowing accurate cutting, the Bosch PKS 55 is the best circular saw for aspiring carpenters.
What Is a Circular Saw?
Circular saws are powerful tools designed for cutting soft and hard materials quickly and conveniently. A circular model consists of an electric motor designed to propel a spindle with the round toothed blade while maintaining it at a relatively stable speed to make the cuts precise. Such saws are commonly used for straight cutting of wood and similar materials, like OSB, chipboard, fibreboard, plywood, and ceramics, among others. Likewise, there are special-purpose blades for cutting through plasterboard, laminated plastic, and even soft metals.
A circular saw will become an irreplaceable assistant for people involved in construction or repair jobs. While most cordless models are pretty powerful and can be used literally anywhere, they are only good for small-scale projects, unless you always have charged spare batteries at hand. On the other hand, cordless circular saws are ideal for heavy-duty use in workshops and building sites when you have permanent power access since they are generally more powerful and have a higher RPM, compared to portable power tools.
If you are a professional builder, you might also want to get yourself a hammer drill or choose one of these reciprocating saws for cutting in hard-to-reach spots.
What Features to Compare
Type
The first feature to consider when selecting a circular is the type. There are two of them: corded and cordless. If you choose a corded circular saw, you will get an opportunity to cut hard types of wood, due to the high power of such models. However, the working range will be restricted by the length of a power cord. Should you pick a cordless saw, you get an unlimited working range and an opportunity to work in hard-to-reach places. However, the runtime will be limited by the battery charge. It should be noted that cordless models are compact and lightweight, so they can be used in different positions without fatigue.
Performance
The performance of a circular saw is quite important. The blade diameter is the very first issue to consider as it determines the size of material you can cut. Most modern saws are equipped with 7.25" blades, although there are models with 5.5" blades as well. The performance also depends on the motor power and the blade rotation speed. The higher the power is, the harder woods it can cut. With regard to the blade rotation speed, the higher it is, the more accurate and cleaner the cut will be, and the smaller the probability of a blade jamming is. In addition to speed and power, the performance is influenced by the cutting depth, which determines the number of cuts you need to make to saw. For example, if you need to cut a lath 2" thick, the cutting depth of your saw should be at least 2". Otherwise, you will have to cut the plank twice, i.e. from both sides.
Usability
Take a look at the usability features, too. To make accurate cuts, you should consider models with a built-in light or laser guide that will help you follow the cutting line. If your saw includes a dust blower, sawdust will be swept away from the cutting line, so you can see it clearly. The rubberised handle of a saw will give you a comfortable and firm grip. Finally, make sure to check if the saw you choose has a spindle lock. This feature is very important in terms of safety as it prevents the shaft from rotating, thus keeping your hands safe. Also, it makes it easier to replace a blade.
Safety
In the end, let's say a few words about the safety aspect. Using a circular saw can be quite dangerous if the tool doesn't function properly or lack certain things. So, learn how good the brake is - you must be sure that the saw will stop to work immediately once you release the trigger. Naturally, the tool must be featured with a lock to prevent accidental start of the saw, giving you additional protection from injuries. And of course, consider the blade protection. Most models come with special guards covering the teeth of the blade to keep your hands protected.
Sources:
1. Circular Saw Buying Guide, Lowe's.
2. Julie Day How to Choose and Use a Circular Saw, Today's Homeowner.
3. Circular saw, Wikipedia. November 18, 2016.