A circular saw is a core tool for woodcutting. Whether you’re a professional or DIY enthusiast, you’ll need a trusty circular saw for just about any type of woodwork. Of course, these saws can cut other materials too, such as metal, tiles, etc.

There are various sizes of circular saws; the most common are the 7 ¼” and 10 ¼” models. The difference between the two will be explained in more detail later. For now, you should know that 10 ¼” saws are more powerful but also more expensive.

Read on to get a full review of the best 10/4” circular saw on the market.

Ask anyone for a name synonymous with circular saws, and they’re likely to mention ‘skill saw.’ Skil is a well-known brand and an absolute industry leader. They make only the best saws, including the Skilsaw SPT70WM-01 10 ¼” circular saw.

Product Highlights

First of all, you should note that this is a warm saw, which means that the motor is at a right angle to the saw blade. The motor has boosted torque, thanks to the gears, which makes this saw heavy-duty. This type of motor is loud, so remember to wear ear protection as well as eye protection when operating.

The motor is a 15-amp dual field motor with 4600 RPM, which is not only powerful, but it can also operate for extended periods thanks to the motor cooler. Skilsaw is a pioneer in the industry because most other saws don’t have a cooler. The result is extended durability and efficiency of this circular saw.

The depth of cut with this saw is incredible; it cuts 4x material in one go. It can deal with PSL (parallel strand lumber), pine, LVL (laminated veneer lumber), and glulam (glued laminated timber). Typical of 10 ¼” saws, this model is also capable of handling big cuts of wood or other materials.

Job-site security is guaranteed with the Skilsaw SPT70WM-01 10 ¼” circular saw, thanks to all metal components and worm drive gearing. In fact, the entire build of the saw is from magnesium, light, and sturdy metal. There is also the anti-snag lower guard, which helps with cut-off pieces.

The 51-degree bevel offers a wide variety of cuts, making this saw very versatile. The dimensions are 25” x 8.75 x 13.5”, and the saw weighs 16.5 pounds. It is a corded electric saw, with a voltage of 120 volts and wattage of 1800 watts. The cord is 8 feet long.

Finally, this circular saw comes with a one-year limited warranty.

The Good

Skil makes premium circular saws with an emphasis on quality and durability. This saw is built to last, so you can expect to safely use it for years to come. The power of this saw is immense, cutting large amounts of lumber will present no problem at all. If you’re a beginner, be careful when operating because this saw is no joke.

The Bad

It’s very difficult to find any negative aspects of the Skilsaw SPT70WM-01 10 ¼” circular saw. The price is competitive, taking into account the quality of the product. If you’re nitpicky, you can say that the saw lacks accessories bundled into the deal.

A circular saw is a wise investment for anyone working with wood. This tool is particularly useful, at home as well as on the job site. These circular saws are among the best on the market as they pack more power and allow for cutting denser materials than smaller saws.

The choice is huge because the market is quite saturated, so here’s some advice to help you choose the right circular saw with the right attributes.

Power (and Safety)

This is an easy one. More power equals easier and more efficient work in any situation. When buying a circular saw, look at the power of the engine, as well as the RPM (revolutions per minute). Saws in this category usually all have 15-amp motors, which are really powerful.

When looking at the power of a saw, also consider how much can they cut in one pass. If the answer is 4x, you’re looking at a powerful saw. Everyone likes more power, but be careful if you’re new to cutting and framing wood.

These saws are heavy-duty machinery and need to be operated with high caution and safety in mind. Wear protective goggles and earplugs at all times. Always keep your cool, stay patient and steady, while keeping a firm grip of the saw. Don’t ever go near the blade while operating, or even when the saw is winding up or down.

Circular saws shouldn’t be used around children. Therefore, always keep them out of a child’s reach. Try not to work with these tools if you’re tired or lack focus. One small mistake could cost you a finger or even an entire hand.

Weight

The weight of a 10 ¼” circular saw is often overlooked, but it’s a very important factor. Avoid buying a circular saw that’s too heavy. Working with a heavy saw is not only difficult, but dangerous. Plus, precision is very important for any type of woodwork.

Lighter saws involve less effort and enable you to manipulate the angles and positioning of the blade to your advantage. You can achieve much nicer, and easier cuts with a 15-pound circular saw than with a 20-pound circular saw.

Any saw in the weight category, around 15 pounds, is an excellent choice. If you’re more experienced, you can use heavier saws just as well, but not everyone is capable of this.

Material

Materials are very important too. Generally speaking, circular saws with a combination of magnesium and aluminum are the best choice. Magnesium is light, which reduces the weight, whilst aluminum offers a solid base.

Circular saws made in the US aren’t necessarily better, but they almost never lack quality. The blade material is also relevant for your purchase. Different blades are used for different jobs. High-speed steel blades are better than regular steel blades because they’re more durable and sturdier.

Masonry blades are made from hard materials that can withstand cutting bricks, cinder, and concrete. Blades for tile cutting also have a specific design, with diamond-tipped variety being the best. Carbide-tipped blades come at a higher price, but they’re very much worth it. They last longer, and retain their sharpness.

10 1/4" vs. 7 1/4" and Control

You can probably guess the difference between a bigger and a smaller sized circular saw. The smaller and lighter saws are easier to maneuver and operate, even in the hands of a novice. You should use these in confined working environments, or when you need precision.

For work that doesn’t require as much accuracy but more power, larger circular saws come into play. These beasts can saw through tougher materials and higher amounts of material much more quickly.

However, if you’re new to this, it’s better to stick to a 7 ¼” circular saw. Bigger saws are heavier, and feature more powerful and also dangerous motors. They tend to kick back more, which isn’t a problem for experts, but it might be to others.

Controlling circular saws isn’t easy. You require patience, strength, and the right approach. Experience is the key to achieving perfect control, and you can only gain it with time and practice.

How do you cut wood at an angle with a circular saw?

Cutting wood at an angle with a circular saw isn’t difficult at all. Follow these simple steps for an angle cut:

1. First, you need to adjust the cut depth. Make sure the saw is unplugged, retract the blade guard and place the saw on the board.
2. Make the adjustment to the saw’s base plate so that the blade is about ¼” below the board. Lock in the lever for depth adjustments afterwards.
3. Mark the cut if you haven’t. Then line up the front side of the blade with the mark. Use a speed square against the base plate of the saw. Tightly hold it against the board. Plugin the saw.
4. Make sure the base plate is following the edge and slide your saw through the cut. The cutoff should drop on its own.
5. Maintain contact between the square and the back of the saw base tight until the blade passes through the entire board.

How to use a circular saw for beginners

Circular saws aren’t toys and shouldn’t be taken lightly. All users should see safety as their top priority while operating a circular saw, but a beginner should take even more care. Use safety goggles and noise-canceling headgear.

You should have both at all times while working with a circular saw. Speed squares are also amazing tools that will help you immensely, especially if you’re new to this particular saw. Precision is important in any type of woodwork, and speed squares help you maintain it.

Remember to be patient, because sawing isn’t easy and takes some learning. Perhaps the best way to learn is to watch experienced people at work. You can do this on a job site if someone is willing to show you, but you can also watch videos on YouTube.

The official circular saw manufacturer channels, expert carpenter channels, etc. are great places to start.

How do you rip narrow boards with a circular saw?

Table saws are usually used for ripping narrow boards, but you can also do it with a circular saw as well. Here’s how:

1. First, you need to draw a line across the board.
2. You then need to fixate the board, but clamps will only get in the way. Use a screw or nail to the sawhorse, and make sure that you put the nail where the saw blade won’t hit it.
3. Set the saw to the wanted bevel angle and blade depth to ¼” more than the board’s thickness.
4. Saw along the line, using the notch on the base of your saw for guidance.

How to cut a 2x4 with a circular saw

Cutting a 2x4 with a circular saw is a cakewalk. The key is stability, and this little tutorial will guide you through the process for best results:

1. First, you need to set the blade correctly. You don’t need to set it too deep, just a quarter of an inch below the 2x4 is fine. Anything above half an inch is bad. Once you get the depth right, firmly tighten the blade.
2. The next step is supporting the wood. The best way to go about this is to support only one side. This will prevent bending when you are near completion. The cut-off piece should fall freely from the secured part of the wood. You need to rest the 2x4 on a sawhorse, with the cut-off piece hanging over the sawhorse.
3. Make sure to hold or clamp down the part of the wood remaining on the table, ensuring the wood won’t splinter at the end of your cut. Additionally, doing this will prevent the blade of the saw cutting through anything else other than the wood you want to cut.
4. Finally, you need to keep the cut straight. This can be difficult due to the thickness of the 2x4, and the speed of the circular saw. Here are some tips for keeping the cut straight. Stop as soon as the blade starts going sideways. Turn off the saw until the blade starts turning and then remove the saw, and realign it for a better cut.

Don’t try to straighten the saw while it’s operating; it will be difficult.

Use a speed square for better precision. Keep its fence against the edge of the 2x4. This will give you a straight line you can hold in place. Move the circular saw against the speed square, and you will get a straight cut.

Remember that practice makes perfect. You might not get it right the first time, but you’ll see improvements very quickly if you follow these tips. Good luck!

In conclusion, you’re the one who has to make the final choice. After all, it’s your money, and you should seek the best value you can find for it. If you’re indecisive, look at the features of every saw in this article, and compare them.

You will then surely find the best 10/4” circular saw for your needs. Bear in mind that all of the saws on this list are of premium quality, and all get the job done. It comes down to personal preference. If you’ve had previous experience with a Skil saw, and you liked it, maybe that’s the saw for you.

Makita is not a bad choice either, but again, all of these saws are reliable, all and have many satisfied customers, so perhaps looking through their reviews will help you find the right match.