I'm looking to buy a circular saw for a small DIY project and since I already have three M18 batteries, it might be wise to stick with a budget-friendly M18 saw. However, I am also considering the possibility of needing more handheld tools in the future that could be compatible with the M12 line, which would mean I'd need to purchase new batteries. My projects are going to be infrequent and light, so I want to know if it's more cost-effective to invest in the M12 line or just go with the M18 saw.
5 Answers
Honestly, I think investing in both M12 and M18 is a smart move. They have dual chargers for convenience. I’ve got the M18 non-fuel 6.5" saw, and it works fine for me, but I might upgrade to the fuel version later. The M12 line is excellent for DIY - lightweight and plenty of power for small jobs! Just keep in mind that blade orientation matters if you're right-handed. I'd suggest a blade-left saw for your first one.
By the way, you can grab the M18 Fuel 7 1/4" circular saw right now for about $151.92 if you use the BMSM hack!
If it's just a small project, you might want to go for the M12 Fuel 5-3/8" saw unless you need to cut deeper than 1-5/8". It's compact and perfect for lighter jobs!
For infrequent use, I’d recommend the Makita 5007, which is corded. It's very precise and works well as an all-around saw.
If you can, getting both lines is worth it! I started with M18, but then got the M12 surge impact, and I've not gone back to the M18 impact since. The M12 stuff is just so handy for around the house; I love it! But I still use my M18 for heavier tasks like changing tires.
That sounds great for general DIY jobs! But how does it handle cutting through 2x4s?