Hey everyone! I'm considering adding the M12 Circular Saw with the 5.0 XC HO battery to my toolkit for $160, and I would love to hear your thoughts! I'll mainly use it for cutting stringers and 2x6 treated deck boards for my porch, plus ripping some 1/2" plywood for home projects. I've looked into it and think it could fit my needs, but I'm curious about your long-term experiences. I know there are some concerns like cutting 45-degree angles and a lack of torque in some situations. If I were getting back into trade work, I'd probably look at the 7 1/4" M18 or 60V FlexVolt saws instead. Since I'm not familiar with the smaller saws, do you find the M12 handy, or do you still prefer using a larger saw like a 6 1/2" or bigger? I currently don't own any M18 tools, so I'm a bit hesitant to dive into that lineup right now. Would love your advice on whether the M12 has enough power for what I need!
2 Answers
I think it could work well for your projects! I'm currently using the M12 for building a big shed, and it gets the job done, but you definitely want to use a larger battery for better performance!
I initially started with the M12, but I found the batteries drained quickly. I switched to the 7 1/4" M18, which really rips through the material! If you're struggling with straight cuts, consider getting a track saw; I wish I had made that switch sooner!
Totally agree! The 7 1/4" is awesome. I found that using a Forge battery significantly improved performance. Clamping a straight edge works wonders if you need straight cuts too.