Bought my first cicular saw - Ryobi 14 amp , 7 1/4 CSB 135L

Bought my first ever circular saw. I won't be doing much cutting, but I will use it occasionally for a couple upcoming summer projects. I hope it's an ok one. It came with a 20 or 24 tooth blade, I guess its ok to use for 2x4's and stuff.

When my new vanity top for the bathroom arrives I am going to attempt to cut my old plywood vanity down by an inch off the back so that it's a standard 22 inch vanity and the top will then fit correctly (it was built custom a 23 inches depth for the old formica sheet style top it has now).

Anyways, I want to make the best cut possible on the vanity and was wondering what the best "tooth" and/or type of blade would be to use. Does a higher tooth blade generally make a finer (nicer) cut? Should I use a 60 tooth blade or something? You can see I know NOTHING about circular saws lol! I will be practicing by making a plywood top for my workbench! Hehe

Thanks

 

First off Ryobi simply is a cheap line of entry level tools. I would highly recommend taking that back and buying just about anything else, you really don't want to throw that hard earned $ away in a few years when this one dies and you then have to spend the $ all over again for a good saw.

Second, yes, the higher the tooth count the finer the cut, and again, really good blades are not cheap but will out perform their cheap counterparts.

Third, why do you have to cut the vanity down? If your putting a top on, does it really matter if it's an inch higher unless I'm missing something?

 

Are these cuts going to between two walls so the cuts will not show.
The reason I ask is the blade direction on a circular saw will want to splinter upward toward the saw.
I have and use Ryobi tools all the time without trouble with two exceptions, the circular and the Jig saw.

 

It's depth from FRONT to BACK is 23 inches which will not leave any counter overhang for a 22 inch counter top like the one I ordered.

How much should I pay for a circular saw? What brand do you recommend?

Thanks

 

There is some reason that you bought the saw that you did, whether the way it fit your hand, the price, or whatever, so while I respect Marq's input, I'm not sure that I would run back to the store for something different, especially since it sounds like you may not have even used it yet. It doesn't matter what tool you buy, you will find lovers, haters, and everything in between. I have had excellent service from my Dewalt cordless tool, and I know that Joe doesn't like them, but that's okay with me; his tools of choice work for him and mine work for me. Your's may turn out to be the best choice that you could have made. Not sure that I understand why you didn't order the size top that you needed, but that's okay too; I don't need to know. But with an inch to take, I would probably start with a 1/4" cut, and get an idea of how the cut will look. I'm thinking that you will find that you want to cut it from the back (upside down).

 

Thanks Pedro, the top only comes in 22 and actually I have to cut down to 21 because my vanity is 22 inches depth (front to back). Upon investigation of some features I think I WILL take the Ryobu back and instead get a Mikita for $119 at HD. I want the magnesium bottom instead of steel, which I would assume mine has. Plus, I just read that "the industry standard" is 15 amps, etc. I don't think I can go wrong with the Mikita for $120. $120 isn't much money these days.

 

I respect your comment but one of my favorite saying is that cheap can be expensive.

Nothing like a quality tool that just keeps on going after 40 years, like my very old craftsman circular saw, which by the way is not an endorsement for Craftsman tools today.

 

Ok all, I'm going out tonight to get the Mikita for $119. A little more money, but I would think it's worth it for some reason. I like the magnesium base it has. I took the Ryobi back today, but the Depot didn't have the Makita in stock, so I'm gonna go to the one in the town next to me.

 

They also have a Skilsaw for $99. Which one should I get? Makita for $119 or Skilsaw for $99?

I'm leaving in 1 hour thanks!

 

This look s like a good deal?

SKILSAW 15 Amp Corded Electric 7-1/4 in. Magnesium SIDEWINDER Circular Saw with 24-Tooth Diablo Carbide Blade-SPT67WM-22 - The Home Depot

 

For me the blade is on the wrong side, unless your left handed. I like to be able to see the blade while cutting.

 

A left handed saw is nice but they can be hard to find other than a worm drive which is heavier. I had to order mine although I do live near small towns. I used a regular right handed saw for years but after I lost the sight in my right eye they became very unhandy for me.

I always check the amps when buying power tools, generally more amps = more power.

 

Boy, your prices must be a lot better there than mine. The Makita with a magnesium plate and other components is $149 at my locale (I have the 5007MG btw) and the one that's $119 is aluminum construction and a pound heavier with no case. The Skilsaw you linked to shows up at $129 for me.

I love my Makita, but it was a big jump up from what I used to have, so I probably would have loved anything in the same price range.

I can't figure out how the Skil is that much lighter than the $149 Makita (almost 1 1/2 lbs), maybe something to do with the motor? Or possibly they are including the case on the Makita (which was another reason for me, easy and clean storage for tool, blades, etc).

There was a long thread about what saw to buy a while back. I'll see if I can find it.

http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...aw-please.html

 

I hadn't paid attention to the price in the link earlier but just clicked on it again and it shows up for $99
Who knew that chain store prices would vary that much for the same item.

 

I'm probably gonna hardly ever use it. I think the $99 Skilsaw is for me. I believe it has a MG shoe. It's 15 amps , etc. I like the saw on the right because the piece you're cutting falls off and the saw stays on the uncut side.

Yes I made a mistake the Makita with MG is $149, not $119.

 

My house is 1971 and has a lot of 15 amp circuits. Do you think a 15 amp circ. saw will be ok plugged into a 15 amp circuit? I think my panel is 100 amps only.