CK5
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cordless vs. 110
- Thread starter cybrfire
- Start date
All the cordless tools I have ever used have never compared to corded power tools. Sure they have their pro's, portability, but for brute power nothing beats corded.
x2
It's nice to have the portability of cordless. I'd rather haul that up a ladder onto a roof then an extension cord and corded tool.
I know it's hard to figure out everything you're going to cut, but if you plan on cutting allot of thick hardwood, then go for a cord. If you plan on doing mainly trim work, aluminum/vinal siding the I would consider a cordless.
If I could buy only one....I'd go for a corded one. FWIW: I tend to buy corded tools before cordless ones.
Ive been around the dewalt ones that come in the 5 tool packs. I wasnt impressed. They work ok, but eat batterys so unless you have a couple chargers and alot of batterys its not worth it. A good 110 saw is probably cheaper anyway.
I thought this would be the consensus.
Thanks Guys. I went ahead and picked up a Makita circular saw. So far I'm pretty impressed with it. Lots of power. Cuts fast and clean.
Of course comparing to a used up, burnt up, incredibly abused old circular saw.
Thanks Guys. I went ahead and picked up a Makita circular saw. So far I'm pretty impressed with it. Lots of power. Cuts fast and clean.
Of course comparing to a used up, burnt up, incredibly abused old circular saw.
I really like Makita tool. Both corded and cordless...they definitely make great tools.
Rene
Rene
Corded - no doubts. A cordless should be a backup, occsacional tool.
cdoggwsu
1/2 ton status
Fully agree with the corded consensus. The dewalt 18v cordless skil type is amazing for drywall, beats lugging around an extension cord hands down. Other than that it falls flat from my experience. Another thing I've noticed is the worm-drive style skil saws don't lose nearly as much torque on start up as a normal gear drive style, especially if you stop halfway through a cut with 5/8+ plywood.
Having used alot if different saws the makita is definitely one of the best. My dad has had one for 20 years (hes a self employed carpenter) and its still going strong. Every carpenter has a corded saw and 9/10 that what he'll be using. Sometimes you need to make cuts in akward/ hard to get places, or just one or two cuts and thats where the cordless really shines.
As for direct drive vs. worm drive. I dont think theres a chance in hell id buy a worm drive. They are big, heavy, akward. They are more powerful, but new saws close the gap, signifigantly.
As for direct drive vs. worm drive. I dont think theres a chance in hell id buy a worm drive. They are big, heavy, akward. They are more powerful, but new saws close the gap, signifigantly.
cdoggwsu
1/2 ton status
Big and heavy, you got me there.
I haven't found mine to be awkward at all. If you don't have a table saw and you're trying to rip full size sheets of plywood the size and weight IMO help to make a steady straight cut. That's just my experience.
BlazerBud
1/2 ton status
It might be impossible nowadays to find left handed saws in stores. They probably have to be ordered. But, I have found that being right handed, if you use a left handed saw, it is easier to use.
Right handed saws, are made with the motor on your eye's side and the blade on the outside of the saw, ........you can't see what you are cutting without leaning over the saw. This is a dumb safety feature. Real craftsmen will position themselves to where they can see the cut anyway, defeating the purpose of being a righthanded saw, and in some cases making it more dangerous than using a lefthanded saw due to the awkward position.
If you are right handed and can buy a left handed saw, you will feel like ....Holy Cow.... Where has this been all my life, you can free hand stuff that used to require a strait edge. Of course, left handed saws have the motor on the outside and the blade near your eye line. Like it is supposed to be.
Right handed saws, are made with the motor on your eye's side and the blade on the outside of the saw, ........you can't see what you are cutting without leaning over the saw. This is a dumb safety feature. Real craftsmen will position themselves to where they can see the cut anyway, defeating the purpose of being a righthanded saw, and in some cases making it more dangerous than using a lefthanded saw due to the awkward position.
If you are right handed and can buy a left handed saw, you will feel like ....Holy Cow.... Where has this been all my life, you can free hand stuff that used to require a strait edge. Of course, left handed saws have the motor on the outside and the blade near your eye line. Like it is supposed to be.
Porter-Cable makes both left- and right-handed circular saws. When I worked at Lowe's, we actually had the left-hand model in stock for a while. Once the word got out that we had lefties though, they sold out quick. After that, I had to special-order several for guys who wanted one.
CGT80
1/2 ton status
I use the Milwaukee V28 cordless tools and the Milwaukee 14.4v impact drivers every day in my job. I am in general construction/property management. I have not used my 3/8" corded drill since getting the v28. I use the circular saw to build offices quite often with 2x4 and 2x6 material. I keep the charger handy and use a frued thin kerf blade. Granted, it doesn't have the power of a corded saw, but it works great and is far less frustrating than a the tools the my coworkers have which have these funny looking rubber rope things hanging from them. I use the circular saw and sawzall to cut up old office furniture, couches, and anything else left around office buildings. I have also used the same tools to do demolition on houses and offices when remodeling. If I have a maor amount of demo to do I will plug in an old school tool. One of my latest additions to my collection was a Paslode cordless framing nailer. It worked great for framing inside an attic last week. The Paslode cordless finish nailer has made work easier and more fun.
I think it depends on what you plan to do and how much you want to spend. Cordless will cost far more, but is worth the conveinence for me.
I think it depends on what you plan to do and how much you want to spend. Cordless will cost far more, but is worth the conveinence for me.
