Question about Circular saws - Is it right for me?

cerebus

Gavin83 said:

JenP85 said:

Hi there.
I hope it's okay to ask here but I have a question about corded circular saws. 
I have a budget of around £100-£120 (at a push) and most people say you can't go wrong with a DEWALT. So after a !!!!!! of research i discovered the dewalt 560 which has very good reviews. 

However, i am not sure it's what I need any more after listening to a few ppl on Facebook. So, i am here to ask you lovely people "Is it right for my needs?"
I HAVE used one before (many years ago) but it was literally to cut some plywood and MDF down to fit into the car.

The reason i am in the market for one is I have just moved house and need a few tools for some DIY jobs. The jobs I am looking to do is as follows;

Cut down some Kitchen work tops
Cutting MDF for wall panelling (This is one of the main reasons I am buying one)
Trim some doors down to size (I got some free ones from FB and They're WAY longer than I need and seems like a better option than a planer)
Cut some Garden posts
Cut some floorboards/scaffold boards up for shelving, frames etc

As far as I was aware this is what they were made for. However, speaking to a few people on FB they said it's useless for most of these as "You can't cut a straight line with them unless you're VERY skilled" I mentioned about using a straight edge guide but i was basically told "No" and that I'd be better off with a plunge saw and a guide/track.
Sadly, these are WAY out of my price range.
So, would I be wasting my money buying a circular saw/am i expecting too much from one? 

You may be asking "If you've asked for help somewhere else why are you here? Well, the reason i am 'questioning' the advice I received is because of the patronising way they were put with most calling me "love", talking down to me or asking if I knew a 'man' who could help. One even saying, and i quote "A circular saw (normal folk call them Skill saws for a reason. Not for Amateurs) Sounds like you don't know how tools work so best Leave it to the pros and pay for a man to do it" -_-

Thanks for any info you can give - Thanks
 

My opinion would be to ignore those FB people. You absolutely can cut a straight line with a circular saw, you just need a straight piece of wood. Use the factory line of plywood or MDF. 

The only advantage to a plunge saw is ease and speed and I’d recommend this path for a professional or a keen hobbyist. For relatively infrequent use a circular saw + wood guide will do the job just fine.

I own a number of tools and I’d say the circular saw would be my choice for some of those jobs. They’re really good at cutting down large sheets or cutting that’s too heavy/unwieldy to move easily. It’s terrible for cutting small bits, nor angles and not particularly good at crosscuts. However it will do most cuts if required. I’d suggest a circular saw should always be someone’s first power saw.

I’ve got a Makita circular saw but the majority of my tools are Dewalt. I certainly don’t have any complaints. I’m sure you’d be happy with that choice.

Circular saws are good at cross cuts as long as you are using the correct blade.

You cannot use a ripping blade to do cross cuts the teeth are set differently 

Nobbie1967

I’d save your money and buy something like this

https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb911csw-1500w-190mm-electric-circular-saw-240v/508vv

My old one from Wickes gave up after years of abuse and I went for this as it had a laser guide and a 190 blade which was useful for cutting sleeper for raised beds. It’s been used extensively and I’ve never regretted not spending more. Spend the spare money on a finer blade for cutting MDF and kitchen tops as the 24 tooth blade is a bit rough for fine work.

I find if I mark a line and then just follow with the laser I can achieve very straight cuts, but does require a bit of concentration.

Oldernowiser

I have another suggestion/consideration: a brand called 'EVOLUTION'.  Specifically this Circular saw, available now for £50/60 from Screwfix/Toolstation, or about £150 as a kit including track etc to use as track saw.

https://shop.evolutionpowertools.com/products/1400mm-track-bundle.

 The standard supplied blade will cut through most materials easily - including metal. If you cut through scrap timber and hit a nail it will just go straight through without damaging the blade. Likewise on Copper piping, small box section, sheet plastics etc.  For fine woodcuts you can also use wood blades, or for ceramics/tiles, specific blades are easily available. I will say i've had some very tidy cuts on Oak and other hardwoods using standard blade. 
I haven't tried using the track option ( i have Makita plunge/track saw for those jobs) but have no reason to suppose that it shouldn't be capable. I use my Evolution circular saw mostly outside - corrugated roofing, fencing etc. so it gets fairly brutal treatment!
I've got 2 other Evolution saws in workshop (Mitre saw and table saw, both more than 6 years old) which i'm perfectly happy with. 
Good luck with your projects and be safe 

JenP85

Oldernowiser said:

I have another suggestion/consideration: a brand called 'EVOLUTION'.  Specifically this Circular saw, available now for £50/60 from Screwfix/Toolstation, or about £150 as a kit including track etc to use as track saw.

https://shop.evolutionpowertools.com/products/1400mm-track-bundle.

 The standard supplied blade will cut through most materials easily - including metal. If you cut through scrap timber and hit a nail it will just go straight through without damaging the blade. Likewise on Copper piping, small box section, sheet plastics etc.  For fine woodcuts you can also use wood blades, or for ceramics/tiles, specific blades are easily available. I will say i've had some very tidy cuts on Oak and other hardwoods using standard blade. 
I haven't tried using the track option ( i have Makita plunge/track saw for those jobs) but have no reason to suppose that it shouldn't be capable. I use my Evolution circular saw mostly outside - corrugated roofing, fencing etc. so it gets fairly brutal treatment!
I've got 2 other Evolution saws in workshop (Mitre saw and table saw, both more than 6 years old) which i'm perfectly happy with. 
Good luck with your projects and be safe 

....oh for goodness SAKE!! WHERE WERE YOU 12 HOURS AGO!!! Lol!!! 
I purchased one at 8am this morning.. I had seen that one but couldn't find it for that price!! Lol i think i may return the dewalt and get that one! Ty!!