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It has a long flexible power cord, a great sight line, no vibration. in it that I was going to put on the roof of my house. My barn burned down recently, and unfortunately it had 30 sheets of ½" O.S.B. Cross cuts on 2x material aren't long enough to cause a problem but ripping 8 foot long sheets will cause the cut line to become obscure without some kind of help.I love this tool. It is small and light weight and it will make a professional out of the average user in a hurry. As it is it doesn't do that but I find myself blowing the cut line clear on long cuts.
is cheaper than dirt at the moment it is against my nature to throw away something that might be used in the future, so I set up a couple of saw horses and proceeded to remove the charred edges of the remaining sheets. Several of the outer sheets were gone completely and all the others were charred on both ends and the long top edge to some degree.Even though O.S.B. I think I can use this material to rebuild my old chicken coup. I used a straight edge and marked my cut lines and went to town with this little saw. This is my go to saw when I have a lot of sheet stock cutting to do. This saw gave me great results. It also does a great job on 2x lumber for cross cutting and ripping.
It is so much better than the average 7 ¼" consumer saw that I can't even find the words to describe it. Due to its low power draw it can be used with smaller extension cords and smaller generators if being used where power is not available. It cuts almost as good as a table saw with a little practice.I trimmed about 25 of the remaining sheets of O.S.B. It was stacked on its long edge on the cement floor leaning against the outside wall. The only thing I could think of that could be improved is it could use a more aggressive blower to blow the cut line clear.
It is very easy to cut long straight lines due to the total lack of vibration and the great sight line for a right handed user. for use on future projects cutting about 16 foot on each sheet, 4 foot on both ends and the 8 foot long top edge. But I suppose that if had a higher output blower on it someone might complain that it blew sawdust in their eyes.
(aluminum to aluminum always binds up) The left blade design is great for righties.As for the blade selection, I admit that it isn't extensive. It is working pretty hard to rip 5/4 Ash, but it gets 'er done. Wound up getting this one to replace my older 13A Makita 7-1/4" saw. The included blade is not carbide tipped and is pretty much a throw-away.
I'm a woodworker, and I use this to break down sheet goods and cut hardwood to rough size. I read all the reviews before buying. It is only really extensive for the 7-1/4" saws. The key to getting clean cuts in sheet goods with this (or any) circular saw is to make a zero clearance shoe that goes over the stock shoe.If you need to cut 4x4s, this isn't the saw for you. For 3/4" plywood, it is no effort at all.If you don't cut through materials thicker than 1-1/2", this is a great saw.
However, I have what I need. But if you need it to break down sheet goods and cut stuff up to 1-1/2" thick, this one is really handy. The Makita had unstoppable power, but that is not what I need. I bought the Skil brand carbide ripping blade. It weighs probably half of what my Makita did, and that was with the aluminum shoe.
The steel shoe of this saw follows aluminum edge guides without binding. I also found a higher tooth count carbide tipped blade at a local tool store. So far, I haven't missed my 7-1/4" Makita at all.
A little smaller and a little lighter is a positive. THIS SAW HAS A 1/2 INCH ARBOR. Lack of a second handhold is a negative. The bugger is tough to hang on to with one hand in awkard positions. None of the literature mentions this and many, including me, order the wrong blade. Overall a usefull saw.
I own two professional heavy duty 7-1/4" circular saws and I use them only occasionally now. It should handle the majority of pedestrian cuts that a typical tradesperson usually makes.If you use a circular saw alot and are not doing continuous framing or decking or ripping at angles, then take a closer look at this smaller gem from Skil as its lighter weight and compact size mean less hand, wrist and arm fatigue without sacrificing accuracy and cutting power.I did not find the left saw blade design to be an issue as I simply reorient the workpiece and/or my clamping guide or reverse my direction of cut so that the larger portion of the saw's baseplate is always on the workpiece rather than hanging off and possibly tilting away or lifting up. No need whatsoever to "push" it along into the workpiece.If it has any shortcomings, it's that 1) quality replacement 5-1/2" rip and plywood blades can be somewhat difficult to find from time to time and that 2) sawdust tends to collect around the sight line opening in the baseplate obscuring the pencil line on the workpiece.
Compact, lightweight and powerful enough to zip through 2x6's at 90 degrees. But this is not a saw designed to replace your 7-1/4" or worm-drive. This Skil HD5510 has been my everyday saw since I first bought it over 3+ years ago.
I addressed both by buying extra premium quality blades when I came across them and by simply blowing away the sawdust as I make the cut.Granted, a smaller diameter blade means reduced depths of cut, especially on angled cuts such as a 45 degree. It's well-balanced so that it glides steadily and effortlessly along sheet goods. I regularly use it to trim both hollow and solid core door bottoms, cut shelving, cut the occasional 2x4's and 2x6's, cut through 1/2" and 3/4" particle board, etc.I find that it's powerful enough to cut efficiently without running away or veering off-line on long cuts as you stretch out your arms.
Rather, it's a compact and easy-to-use complement. That's a critical aspect for using any circular saw if you value your personal safety and want a true 90 degree cut in the workpiece as well.
I stocked up way back on saw blades, so I do not know about how hard they are to find now, but I'm going to look today. Love this saw. Great for right hand cutting. I have 2 other big saws and have not used them since getting this 6 years ago. If you can find one try it.
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