I'm looking at getting a circular saw for my father's workshop this Father's Day. His current DeWalt is quite old and lacks power. He's not a professional, just a hobbyist. Would the M18 circular saw be suitable for him, or would it be better to invest in the Fuel version instead? Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
If he mostly works with 2x lumber, consider the M12 Fuel circular saw. It's lightweight and cuts through 2x4s and sheet goods like a breeze. I used to dislike circular saws until I tried the M12, and it changed my perspective completely! The left-side blade made a huge difference in usability.
Totally agree on the M12! Just wish Milwaukee had a smaller option like a 4.5" saw similar to the DeWalt DCS571B. It’d be perfect for lighter jobs!
If you want something really impressive, consider a worm drive model. But keep in mind, unless he’s mainly doing long cuts on sheet goods or framing, a rear handle saw might not be the best choice. The newest M18 Fuel 6-1/2” saw (model 2833-20) is powerful and excels at cutting 2x lumber and plywood with the blade on the left side, which is super handy. Plus, a new version is coming out soon; you might end up paying full price for an outdated model if you go for the rear handle option.
I've tried the M18 and while it’s good, I really wish I had gone for the Fuel model. In my experience with Milwaukee tools, spending a bit more for the Fuel version is totally worth it. It's a great gift idea!
I'm leaning towards the M12 Fuel too! With the savings, I'm planning to get him two 4.0 batteries to go with it. Hopefully, there's a good sale at Home Depot, I'm super excited to gift it to him!