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Circular Saws
Mark, attached is a pix of what I think Peters is talking about, sort of a mitre radial arm saw combo. Another variant of a slide saw is the saw that cut all the fingers off my grandfathers hand. That saw is like the ones at home depot where the circular saw is mounted on a tube that you pull across the lumber up to about a 4 foot panel.
My grandfather was a long time lumber yard employee and indavertently had his left hand along the line of cut on a 4 x 8 foot panel and cut off all four fingers on his left hand before his first knuckle.
He was over 65 years old at the time and had been working Lumber since he was 15, so he was sure familiar with the saw, maybe too familiar. They were able to attach his fingers back, nice clean cut I suppose, but his left hand was a bit rigid after that, and he kept working at the lumber yard until the year before his death at 83.
Dennis
TractorPoint.com
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Circular Saws
It's like when Mitchell Arms bought the rights to use the good name of High Standard. Then they turned it into junk. It's a shame
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Circular Saws
Unfortunately, you guys are right about the quality thing. I still have and to this day still use my John Deere, MAC, Matco, & Snap-On tools I bought nearly 25 years ago when I worked at Mid Atlantic Equipment in Fairfax, VA. I even have an old Black and Decker drill that is over 30 years old and still kickking. The Craftsman tools helds up pretty good as well. Can't get any of that stuff for near what I paid for it then. If I need a tool for something important or I think I will use alot, I spring for the best. Alas gentlemen............ we live in the land of El Cheapo! 
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Actually Denis that is the saw I have exactly. I would have purchased the Hitachi if I could have found one at the right price and local. It certainly had the best reviews. I bought the Makita and would certainly buy another for the work and time saved.
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Ok. I think of that as a chop saw or a power miter saw.
I have a 10" Delta that just "chops" (no sliding function) and will cut up to 6 inch lumber. I use it more than any other wood cutting tool.
About the only thing I use my old skill saw for anymore is to cut scrap/waste lumber into fire wood.
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Last year, I burned up a Craftsman circular saw and took it down to the service center to get my "Craftsman" warranty replacement. Unfortunately the warranty that is so good on the hand tools does not apply to electrical or power tools. The "repair" cost was as much as a new saw at many of the discount places.
I like good tools and I decided to buy a Milwaukee circular saw with magnesium base since I use a circular saw quite a bit. It is more powerful and lighter than the old craftsman saw and finished the job that burned up the Craftsman. I got quite a bit of good service out of the Craftsman saw, so this was not an "expensive lesson," but I will not buy another Craftsman tool that has a motor.
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Mark;
I also have a mitre or power chop saw. The side just increase its flexibility and application. I can cut full 12 inch on the straight and about 8 or 9 inch on the 45.
There is not much I can not cut with it.
Peters
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I shall have to investigate this. Which of the two brands mentioned do you prefer?
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Mark;
I found some reviews when I bought mine (3yrs ago) and have not really looked closely since. Top marks went to the Hitachi at the time. I think the things to look at are:
1) Top slides if possible. Mine gets coated with material and could wear over time. Big problem with cement board.
2) Total cut length - some are less than others I like to be able to cut a 8" board on the 45. A lot of siding etc is that wide.
3) The ease of set up and precision.
4) Depth of cut. Will it cut a 4x4 or 4x6.
The Dewalt saw was nice but the reviews said it tended to throw cut material back in you face. The diameter of the blade is larger but the cut on 45 was smaller than my saw the Makita. I also believe it has problems with depth. The saw has been redesigned for the chips etc so I would revisit that saw.
Sears now has a couple of saws, one Craftsman and one Promark (?). The best saw for the money may be the Promark but not the best quality, but ok. The bigest draw back would be odd angles set up.
I like the features on the Hitachi but it is a little more difficult to find. I believe Lowes carries it now, but could only get it mail order before. I have not checked the 45 reach or other dimensions I thought important.
Freud also make one that is low price and low quality. Not the Italian quality that many Italian machined items are.
Peters
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Time for a little feedback on this saw. I used it yesterday to make a shelf in the kitchen for the "sergeant major". I mounted a Freud Diablo 40 saw blade in place of the 18 tooth blade that came with the saw. The ergonomics of the saw were VERY good. Fit my hands well, easy to hold. The light on the saw is great at lighting up what you are cutting. Another nice feature was the saw blade shaft lock button that holds the saw blade shaft while you tighten or loosen the blade. The construction of the saw although not top professional quality, was VERY Good! I used a carpenter's square C clamped in place as a straight edge to cut against. This worked well and allowed me to make nice straight cuts. The saw glided through the 3/4 inch plywood and left an exceptionally smooth, well finished cut. It came with a carrying case with a post for holding about 5 extra blades in the bottom. For $69 delivered, this is the John Deere 790 of circular saws and I HIGHLY recommend it. It was reduced from $132 on amazon.com. The Freud Diablo 40 blades gets 5 stars as well. It was $18 delivered. Bare in mind that this review was written by a guy who knows enough about carpentry to be a danger to himself and everyone around him. Overall, it is a great saw at a great price. If you tear is up, you feel so bad about chucking it in the trash dumpster.  !
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09-01-2003, 10:31 
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