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Circular saw advice (self.tools)

submitted 1 week ago by Skyrmir to c/tools

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About to be in the market for a new circular saw, just looking for the typical 7.25 blade saw. One thing that has constantly bothered me though is the depth adjustment. Every saw I've ever had used a flip lever on a nut in the back, and that's always been the point of failure. They slip, break, seize or otherwise fail first before anything else on the saw. And it's literally the only setting on a saw that i ever touch beyond changing blades.

So what brand has a reliable depth adjustment?

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[–] Death_Equity 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Cordless or corded and worm drive or direct drive?

[–] Skyrmir 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I have dewalt batteries for other stuff, but I was looking for a corded saw. I plan on getting by with a circular saw instead of getting a table saw. Which is also why I'm looking for easy and reliable depth adjustment.

[–] Death_Equity 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Skill, Bosch, and Metabo are S tier corded saws. They all have the standard lever adjusted screw for depth adjustment, but they are professional tools and have better longevity. Going worm drive is even more reliable and stronger because that is a framer's tool, so it is designed for use and abuse.

[–] Skyrmir 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Thanks, I think I've narrowed it down to either the Makita 5377MG or Bosch CSW41. Not happy with that depth selector, but probably as good as I'm going to get. At least it's outside the housing where I can see and/or modify it. I'm leaning towards the Makita, but i don't see a trigger lock, and I'm going to want that for some future OSHA violations without having to resort to zip ties.

[–] Death_Equity 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

While I do love resisting the fascist OSHA totalitarian Nazis, a trigger lock on a saw is how you feed the hungry saw your dick ticklers.

[–] Skyrmir 1 points 1 week ago

Yeah, but if I'm going to live without a table saw, I'm going to want to do some creative fixturing once in a while. Fortunately for what I have in mind, fingers will be kept clear. Bigger issue will be avoiding kick back and flying off cuts. I inserted some oak into a cement board wall the last time. I've upgraded to a concrete wall now, so much less of a problem.