It couldn't do the job
Written: Oct 09 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Few - if any.
Cons: Lacks power, inaccurate.
The Bottom Line: Avoid it - little power, less accuracy.
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| farmerea's Full Review: Craftsman 18 volt Circular Saw Kit, 6-1/2 in. Blad... |
I have not owned a cordless circular saw, mainly because I have always had a feeling that they couldn't possibly be worth the normally high price that they command. I recently noticed the Craftsman 18 volt trim saw, along with a drill and two batteries for sale at the local Sears store for the paltry sum of 89.00. Even though in recent years, I have lost most of my faith in Craftsman brand tools, that was irresistible, especially when I had a difficult job in mind for which a cordless trim saw would be the ideal solution. Although the kit also included a drill, I will confine this review to the saw.
The tools came with a tough plastic case, two batteries, a charger, one saw blade, an Allen wrench with which to change the blade and an instruction manual. A rip fence was not included, although the manual tells me that the fence is available as an accessory.
Installation of the blade was quite straightforward as rotation was clear on both the saw and the blade. The Allen screw blade hold down in a bit awkward and I would prefer a hex head screw as is common on larger circular saws. The size and weight of the tool are reasonable, it is well balanced and easy to handle. The safety button on the handle, intended to prevent accidental start-up, is inconveniently located and difficult to operate. The tool offers the ability to control the depth of cut, as well as the angle of the blade relative to the base plate. Those adjustments are quite straightforward. I already owned a Craftsman 18 volt charger (and two other batteries) so getting both batteries charged overnight was a simple matter, and the next morning I felt ready to go to work with my new saw.
I'll make this short. The Craftsman 18 volt cordless trim saw did not perform satisfactorily. It lacks power and battery life is extremely short. Neither of the guide notches, for 90 or 45 degree cuts, align properly with the blade making accuracy difficult. With a fully charged battery, it will not complete an 8' cut in a sheet of 3/4" plywood without a noticeable loss of power. I also noticed a loss of power after making only three cuts across a spruce 2x6. I have not yet found a time that I consider the Craftsman 18 volt trim saw to be a good value.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
farmerea
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Location: Vermont
Reviews written: 46
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
Contractor and part time farmer.My expectations are high. Anything I recommend, I tested well.
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