Circular saw reccomendations

OK. I've read the FAQ. I need^H^H^H^H^ want a circular saw for my birthday. The excuse is that I'm going to be fitting some oak doors this year, and I will need to trim them to fit. I *have* done this with a table saw in the past - but a full size door is really two big for my table saw. A saw (+ sawboard) should give as good (or better) finish, with a lot less risk.

I was thinking of something like the Makita 5704RK (which Screwfix have for =A390, and I can probably find slightly cheaper elsewhere). (No real basis for that choice, except that I recognize the Makita name.)

I would be grateful for any recommendations (both for and against), thoughts on what to look for, pointers to good deals, etc

Reply to
Martin Bonner
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That's a good one.

Personally I prefer the Hitachi C7 - I've had one of those for a few years. It has a cast base as opposed to the pressed steel base of the Makita which is a better solution for a circular saw.

Reply to
Andy Hall

Agreed, I've got one & use it all the time. Don't be put off by the 950w motor, like most Makita stuff IME it punches well above its weight. Nice & light, but will cope with a 40mm worktop or a 6x2 easily . A real joy to use. Got mine from D&M Tools, but shop around.

I agree with that as well, the only thing that lets the Makita down is the pressed steel base, I'd prefer cast. Having said that, it doesn't suffer any problems for having a presssed steel base, highly accurate in use.

Reply to
The Medway Handyman

Another vote for a cast base and a Hitachi here... nothing against the Makita (and I have not used that one either - so it may well be just as good in use).

Reply to
John Rumm

Makita or Hitachi. IMHO, the Makita. The base doesn't bother me, but I keep having to strip the Hitachi right down to straighten the riving knife, if someone has bonked it sideways.

Reply to
Andy Dingley

I've got the Makita and used the Hitachi. Nothing really between them and the cast/pressed base doesn't bother me. Both will take anything you can throw at them all day every day if neccessary.

Reply to
Jeff

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