[Closed] Which circular saw and blade

Either of those saws would be fine but of the two I'd go for the makita. Looks easier to fit a vacuum hose to which is a good thing when cutting mdf. Any tct blade will do, more teeth for a better finish but not that big a deal while its new and sharp

The blade supplied with most saws tends to be pretty course (just because blades with lower teeth counts are cheaper. Try a test cut with a bit that isn't important and if you're happy just stick with the one supplied, if not just buy one to suit the saw with more teeth.

If the makita comes supplied in a Makpak case those cases are really useful. And if you don't need the case they're easy to sell on as they're compatible with Festool / Systainers - so you could effectively get £20 - £30 cash back.

I'm sure they'll both be fine.

It's worth having maybe a few different blades for different materials. Saxton Blades are excellent value for multi-packs. I just buy, use and chuck (although they could be re-sharpened).

I have the hitachi, fantastically reliable bit of kit. Had it nearly 7 yrs now.
as recommended by a pro site chippy: ol' Ernie of this 'ere forum.

Im still using the original blade and whilst I dont recall cutting any mdf with it, it seems to have been fine. Probably time for a new blade though. Might go rummage through DD's bins for one. Im not rich enough to chuck 'em away until the teeth are rubbed smooth 🙂

Don't pay £69 but these are very good... and usually available for £50 if you search online. Evolution also have an ebay shop

I've ended up getting a second one as I also used a diamond blade a lot cutting granite and paving stones. Not so nice as Pro Makita but better than Bosch Green

http://www.screwfix.com/p/evolution-rage1b1852-1200w-185mm-multipurpose-circular-saw-230v/84664

I would suggest a plunge/rail saw - and a Feud or similar quality 40/48 tooth blade for the cleanest cut .

Titan saw here http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb673csw-165mm-plunge-saw-230-240v/9257j

Blade - shop around for Freud/Makita/Trend pro

Don't pay £69 but these are very good... and usually available for £50 if you search online. Evolution also have an ebay shop

I've ended up getting a second one as I also used a diamond blade a lot cutting granite and paving stones. Not so nice as Pro Makita but better than Bosch Green

http://www.screwfix.com/p/evolution-rage1b1852-1200w-185mm-multipurpose-circular-saw-230v/84664

I was just about to say I don't rate my Evolution one. Wish I had got a Makita or Bosch.

Also returned an evolution chop saw as it was just too flexy.

I should qualify my "buy, use and chuck" comment. 🙂

The nature of my work means I'm often using plunge saws to cut back already installed flooring on either concrete or ply/chipboard. It only takes a few hits of concrete or a screw not countersunk deeply enough to dull the blade down to the point where it's wearing its way through the cut instead of cutting. Hence, they are somewhat of a consumable to me.

I was just about to say I don't rate my Evolution one. Wish I had got a Makita or Bosch.

Also returned an evolution chop saw as it was just too flexy.

I rate it better than Bosch green and way better than some of the bargain DIY brands.... and for my use its quite good all round.

However its most deffo NOT Makita quality...:D that said I bought a second cos I needed a new blade anyway and also kept having to change between diamond/TCT and fine....

I got the 1st one and a bench mitre saw for £99.... on a deal.

The low end mitre saw is pretty crap.... but then I got the big daddy bench/mitre as a refurb... its pretty solid ... not like a £1000 bench saw but at least 45º is 45º (repeatably) etc. and I cut a load of industrial 300mm width ceramic tiles easily... (obviously only fine if you want a straight line)

The hand circular was a better £50 than the low end bench...but then in perspective £50 is 2-3 TCT blades and it comes with one!

Been using one of these for cutting 18mm chipboard:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/evolution-rage1b1852-1200w-185mm-multipurpose-circular-saw-230v/84664
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Honestly, does absolutely fine. If it's not precision work you need it for it's good enough for occasional use. I have a Bosch green table saw for the fiddly bits.

Having seen deadly at work I know for fact his mitre saw blade was beginning to dull, he said so, but it still cut well and his rail saw was a joy to behold. Bit beyond any diyer though, both those tools.

How often are you going to use it? I've just bought a cheap one from B&Q for £40 for a job I'm doing. I might only have use for it a handful of times again over the rest of my life and it is perfectly functional. Ate through kitchen cabinets with the standard blade it came with so have no doubt about its ability to handle kitchen worktops, has a laser line to help you make nice neat cuts. Not sure what you're getting with a more expensive brand saw unless you're a pro and using it all day every day.

Not sure what you're getting with a more expensive brand saw unless you're a pro and using it all day every day.

Mainly just a bit less flex to everything and ability to chug through harder/bigger stuff...

The real nice Makita's etc. for example have guides that don't play and if you for example set it at 45 degrees both cuts are 45 degrees... (rather than 44 and 46)

It's usually easier to change the blades as well ... cheaper ones often you have to play with the guard to get a allen key in and the blade doesn't lock easily etc.

The one squirrelking linked will cut through a big oak railways sleepers with nails in without stalling (you have to do it from both sides as the blade is only so long) ... though as I said you can usually get it for £50... and that's not a huge difference over the £40 home brand ones ??

For my use I've found circulars and bench saws to be worth paying a bit more than the basic B&Q/Wikes "home brand" and for battery drills/impact drivers for me its worth one extra "quality notch up" vs mains powered RDS drills where I've found the "home brand" more than good enough.

Not sure what you're getting with a more expensive brand saw unless you're a pro and using it all day every day.

If you want decent dust extraction then you need to pay decent money.

My Bosch is pretty poor (but way better than most), so at some point I'll upgrade to a Festool plunge saw.

Went for the Makita HS7601J in the end and a speed square. Thanks for all the advice.
First jobs are kitchen plinths and upstands. As original fitter wasn't great so don't really want to get him back to do these.

My Bosch is pretty poor (but way better than most), so at some point I'll upgrade to a Festool plunge saw.

Bosch are now making a licensed version of the mafell rail saw - same innards and same rail and made in the same factory - for less than the festool. The festool saw and rail are very good but the mafell is better and IMO worth the extra money over something that is already pretty expensive. But now the new bosch saw is both better and cheaper. Win win. 🙂

I bought myself a Bosch blue GKS 65 GCE. The thing has a nice solid base and the ability to run along their rail system. Grabbed a few lengths of 1.6m rail as well as an 80cm run and can now cut just about anything with accuracy. Even do plunge cuts.

Cost a little bit more than I really wanted to pay but worth it in the long run. Much better than the cheaper Bosch green model I used before.