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If you do go for a circular saw, you have to decide: corded or cordless. If all things were equal, that’d be easy. No one loves a cord. The problem is that corded saws are more powerful. I own both, but if I could only keep one it’d be the corded saw. That said, I probably use my cordless more for the simplicity of being able to take it anywhere. If you do go cordless, change your blade often. It takes much more power to cut with a dull blade, and a cordless circular saw doesn’t have the power to spare. Making sure you have a sharp blade will not only make cutting easier, but will make your battery last longer. It’s always better to buy a cheap saw and a high-quality blade than the opposite.
If you do go cordless, the next decision you’ll face is brushless vs. brushed motors. A saw with a brushless motor is better in almost every way. The performance is better, it’s more efficient, and it’s more durable. A brushless saw uses electronic commutation, which is a fancy way of saying it uses the interaction of magnetic fields to generate torque. That means there’s less friction, less heat, and by extension, better battery life.
The downside to brushless motors is the much higher price. There’s also the possibility that, if you’re only using it to make a couple of cuts once or twice a week, you don’t need to worry about the increased friction and heat of a brushed motor. Brushed circular saws are undeniably cheaper and also simpler to repair. If you don’t have a big job in mind, they’re plenty good enough for light DIY use.
Also grab a speed square ($20) to ensure you’re making straight cuts on dimensional lumber.
Bonus Pick: Shop Vac
If you have these two things, the next thing I’d suggest is a shop vac. No one likes cleaning up, and nothing cleans up faster or better than a shop vac. The ability to vacuum up liquids will change your workspace. I have a cheap shop vac from Harbor Freight, which does the job, but I wish I had the much more powerful shop vac above.
Which Brand Should I Buy?
I would love to tell you that there is universal compatibility between brands and that every brand’s batteries work with every other tool. That’s the world as it should be. The world we live in? Well, you have to pick a brand, because batteries are not interchangeable. (There are adapters out there, mostly cheap Chinese off-brand adapters. I have one tool that I use with an adapted battery, but it’s not something I recommend.)
The major brands like Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, and Ryobi all make the same stuff, and most of it is pretty good. The choice in brands really comes down to compatible batteries. Unlike the typical savvy customer, I have tools from both Milwaukee and DeWalt, and I’ve had no problems with either. (Beware buying tools off Amazon, especially Milwaukee, as there are no authorized Milwaukee tool retailers on Amazon, and the company does not warranty or support tools purchased from resellers.)
Now that you have the right power tools to tackle most home repairs and small projects, you can sit back, relax, and contemplate the more mysterious aspects of home repair, like why a two-by-four no longer 2 inches by 4 inches, how to make crown molding corner cuts, and why, sometimes, you’re probably better off getting a professional to handle complex jobs.
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