With the current generation, the large size is never a factor when choosing the best saw to use. Users want effectiveness and comfort during working. The mini circular saw is an ideal saw which is small-sized run by electricity. The mini circular saw is manufactured by different companies but with a similar vision and dream of making sawing easy and less complicated.
The most common features of compact circular saws are their small size and lightweight. With the ability to perform duties like full-sized saws the mini circular saws size makes them batter and convenient even for transportation.
Fewer customers or users complain about these saws, and if you see the compact circular saw reviews, you may be encouraged or tempted to use them. The finesse of the end product is also very food with this saw having adjustable blades making them perform different tasks.
The fact that all this saw is easy to use and requires little or no training is also a major boost to the industry.
In choosing the best saw among them, you may need to research about each, but we decided to do the work for you. It’s important to consider the warranty, and possible useful life of any compact circular saw you intend to buy.
What is Compact/Mini Circular Saw
A compact circular is a saw that is a very powerful tool and is designed for quick and easy cutting of virtually any material. It is primarily used for cutting through materials such as chipboard, plywood, fiberboard, and others. It’s mainly made of an engine that propels a spindle with a round toothed blade. It saves lots of time compared to an ordinary handsaw which is one of the reasons why many people prefer them. They are also very preferred due to their mobility nature, flexibility, and convenience during working.
Mini circular saws are a great tool to have due to their compact size which is great for maneuverability, portability, and better control compared to a full-size circular saw. A lot of jobs can go quicker with such equipment, and the last thing you need to worry about is bringing out the dangerous and heavy circular saw so you can save yourself a headache.
Choosing a piece of equipment like a mini circular saw can be difficult when deciphering which model would best fit your needs. There are various types of mini circular saws, and some are designed to only carry out certain tasks, and because of this, you should be really careful when deciding on the right one.
Different from the old saws which had to be used by two people the mini circular saws are very convenient to be used with even one hand. With this convenience and the good grip, the mini circular saws have which ensures no slides during working makes them better for damage prevention. Also, the older saws had had bare blades which were very dangerous for the users.
1. Rockwell VersaCut RK3440K – Best Compact Circular Saw in 2017
In the olden days for you to cut wood, you required very large saws which were operated by two people. It took the whole day for you to finish cutting small woods and by the end, you were also tired.
To make users enjoy cutting materials both easy to cut and hard to cut the Rockwell company started making easy to use saws. A good example is the Rockwell VersaCut RK3440K which is made of a light metal which ensures comfort during working. With this saw, you do not even require training to use it because of its simple nature.
This saw has even the power to cut concrete with ease. It’s also well balanced and ergonomically designed handle that does not slide to empower users to handle it with confidence and ease. The saw also comes with a two-year warranty.
Features of Rockwell VersaCut RK3440K:
- The saw comes with a switch which ensures safety since upon release if the trigger the blades stops within three seconds.
- It also comes with interchangeable blades to ensure that the saw can handle a different kind of products
- For accurate cutting, the saw also comes with a pointer which ensures that the blade follows the pointer to ensure accuracy.
- The saw also comes with a carrying bag which ensures convenience, especially during transportation.
- The two-year warranty is a complete renewable warranty to assure the user that the saw is safe to use and if it malfunctions the manufacturer can repair or replace it.
- Lightweight- this makes the operator concentrate more since he/she doesn’t spend a lot of energy trying to carry it or control it. So, all focus is in whatever they are making. This makes it better than the older fashioned saws.
Pros & Cons of VersaCut RK3440K:
Why Should Use?
- With its lightweight and ability to use single-handedly due to its small nature, the saw ensures that users can work for more hours without getting tired.
- The saw was made with large scale manufacturers in mind since its very durable despite its high cost thus ensuring less maintenance cost.
- During the two-year warranty cover, the manufacturer ensures that they handle all failures of the saw at no fee
- It’s more economical to use and saves the user time since its faster and more accurate.
- Its ability to be used in a multiple application ensures that you can use it only. Instead of buying three saws one to cut wooden materials another one for tiles and another one for metals it’s better having the Rockwell VersaCut since it combines all that in one saw all you need to change are the blades, therefore, making it more effective.
Why Shouldn’t Use?
- This saws warranty is only limited up to three years
- Doesn’t have a dust protector ensuring that the dust doesn’t interfere with the users’ eyesight which could cause eye problems or even danger during working.
- It’s so much reliant on power making it so predictable since during power failures you cannot use it.
2. Rockwell RK3441K – Top Rated Compact Circular Saw
This is a better version of the RK3440 which means the deficiencies found in the other saw were corrected in the new Rockwell saw to improve efficiency and functionality. Also with thinner blades, the cutting is easy and faster since they penetrate faster than the thicker blades.
The best thing about this saw is its light weight which ensures that the saw is easy to handle without getting tired, unlike the old versioned saws which were very bulky and heavy. Its grip also provides comfort, control and balance reducing possibilities of risks. You will also notice that the saw is very easy to use and does not require professional training to handle. In fact, by reading its manual, you can use it for simple tasks like wood cutting.
The warranty of this saw is three years but is limited and does not include cover for careless handling and normal wearing of the saw. The warranty will take care of malfunction of the saw and will either replace it or repair it on behalf of the owner.
With all equipment production companies turning into producing motor-driven equipment’s the Rockwell was not left behind since it also wants maximum productivity from its buyers. With this in mind, it produced a saw that requires less energy and its faster saving time
Features Of Rockwell RK3441K
- Its blade is very thin which is ideal for fast cuts as well as good for smooth cuts.
- The saw also has a very strong motor which helps it work at a faster rate than other types of saws
- Due to its thin blades, its performance is similar to full-size saws despite its small size.
- It’s very light and small which makes it’s transportation convenient and eases the pressure of the person carrying it.
- To enable changing of blades be easy the saw also comes with hex key which helps in blade changing
- Due to its bevel cutting nature, the saw can cut at different angles up to 45 degrees.
- It also has a three-year warranty and a one year extra contract period.
Pros & Cons of Rockwell RK3441K
Why Should Use?
- Its bevel characteristic enables it to can wood at an angle something which other saws cannot do.
- It’s easy to use and less tedious since it doesn’t require the use of both hands, but only one hand, therefore, doesn’t easily get you tired
- Despite its high prize the saw is very effective and accurate therefore producing very admirable end products
- It’s more economical to use and saves the user time since its faster and more accurate.
- It’s very convenient to carry around because it’s not very heavy and also has a specifically designed bag to ease it transportation.
- Wastage of materials especially timber is reduced since the saw is very accurate.
- It’s thin blades cut faster into the materials and enable fine cuts
Why Shouldn’t Use?
- It’s more expensive than similar saws which do almost exact jobs
- Its warranty is not of a lifetime
3. Worx WX429L – Worx Compact Circular Saw
Being one of the easiest to use saws the Worx compact circular saw is available to the stores at a flexible price. The saw does not require any battery and therefore its imported the bare tool which is a complete package. One of the most notable features of this saw is the fact that its light and always very easy to use.
Its grip is good and provides comfort during usage. its blade is also thin and cuts easily through materials which also enables the work to be faster.
The blade also comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty which makes the saws more trusted by customers. Integrated with a safety switch the saw is safe to use and also the switch makes it even more economical to use.
The other great thing about this saw is the availability of a cut line visibility which makes the cuts more accurate and also ensuring comfortability during the work.
Features of Worx WX429L
- Ability to level up to 45 degrees
- The saw has a manufacturer’s warranty of three years
- Thin blade to ensure fast, smooth and more accurate cuts
- The saw also comes with a safety trigger
- Availability of a grip handle to ensure comfort during usage
Pros & Cons of Worx WX429L
Why Should Use?
- The saw can be used to make multiple applications because of its ability to level up to 45 degrees.
- To increase efficiency and safety, the saw has a safety trigger which stops the blade with seconds of releasing the trigger.
- To ensure comfort during its operations, the saw comes with a non-slippery grip
- This saw is also very ideal for smooth cuts during work and also easy penetration during cutting
- The saw has a three-year warranty which ensures client protection just in case of malfunction.
- The saw is very light which makes the user very comfortable.
- Its strength is higher than that of full-sized saws despite its small size
Why Shouldn’t Use?
- The saw has maintenance problems because its spare parts are not easily available.
- The saw does not come with a carrying bag which could have made the transportation easier
4. VonHaus Mini Circular Saw – Compact Handheld Circular Plunge Saw
For a long period of time craftsmen have been afraid of using electric materials in places where there is water off when it’s raining. This is fear of damage to the more powerful tool by water and also for safety reasons. All this changed when the VonHaus compact circular saw was developed. You can use it in wet areas including bathrooms and kitchen since the saw is waterproof.
When in need of professional work, you need, this saw since it gives you the exact types of cuts you are looking for, thanks to its adjustable blades.
This saw is also easy to carry around due to its light weight and also can be used single handed with comfort. Its strong motor of up to 500w is a big boost since with this saw you could cut materials of different types, sizes and texture with easy and at a fast rate therefore saving time.
Features
- It has a motor of 500w
- It’s a 5cm saw blade
- The saw is light and easy to carry around
- Comes with three blades
- Comes with a carrying bag.
- Its handle is far away from the blade preventing harm
Pros & Cons of VonHaus Mini Circular Saw
Why Should Use?
- Lightweight: This saw is very light which makes it easy to use and for a long time. More to that it’s easy to carry around without any inconvenience.
- 3 blades included: The saw comes with 3 blades which perform different tasks thus giving you the opportunity for convenience in the task you are carrying out. The thin blades also ensure very accurate cuts and also smooth cuts.
- Laser System Included: This saw has an inbuilt guidance with a laser system. This makes the usage of this tool very easy to give better results than full-sized saws. This system provides very amazing results as well as perfect for everyday work.
- Design: The technique with which this saw was made with is very unique. Its handle is very good and does not slip during usage, therefore, ensuring comfort during usage. Its ergonomic design also makes it be used single-handedly due to its light nature.
- Motor: The motor is very strong which makes the saw fast during cutting more to which cuts the material of different sizes with ease.
Why Shouldn’t Use?
- The saw is reliant on electric power since it does not come with batteries.
- The saws warranty is not clearly stated thus would probably deter willing buyers.
5. Makita SH02R1 – 12v Cordless Circular Saw
Despite its small size, the Makita cordless saw is ideal for cutting soft materials such as plywood. With its good reputation for producing smooth and good quality materials this Makita saw has earned a good reputation among users. This saw is very durable and does not affected by technology thus very good for people who are looking for long-term service. With a handle that does not slip not even by the effect of sweat the Makita saw is convenient in its handling and provides comfort.
This Compact Circular Saw has a very thin blade which ensures effective cuts especially because it cuts very delicate materials. Its light body is another good feature especially because it makes its use convenient and does not cause any inconvenience, especially during transportation. its users can work for longer hours because with lightweight they do not get tired very fast.
This saw is also highly regarded because it earned the accreditation for following environmental guidelines thus earning the energy star label.
Features of Makita SH02R1
- It has been credited for being a very environmentally friendly saw.
- It has an effective dust blower that makes sure the dust does not cover the blade and also ensuring that the cutting oath is very clear to maintain accuracy.
- Its batteries have a one year warranty as well as its blades but the saw has a three year warranty period.
- It’s lightweight, and good shape makes it easy to use and carry around thus convenient.
- Its bevel capacity of up to 45 degrees enables the saw to do multiple applications.
- It’s designed to cut plywood, pegboard, particleboard, melamine, and drywall.
- It has thin blades order to make smooth cuts since the saw is designed to make delicate cuts.
- Its motor is very fast with up to 1400 amp.
Pros & Cons of Makita SH02R1
Why Should Use?
- Since this Makita saw passed the test of an environmental friendly equipment, it has obtained a huge fan base and recognition.
- Its strength and good blade speed during cutting ensure that the saw saves time to increasing productivity of the material being worked on.
- Due to its ability to level up to 45 degrees, the saw can be used to do many types of tasks
- It has a very thin blade which makes it very effective for cutting less bulky materials such as sheet and melamine.
- Has an adequate warrant period of three years which makes its users more confident about the saw.
- The dust blower ensures clear cutting path by preventing dust from getting into the cutting path.
- Due to its popularity, the saws spare parts are easy to find.
Why Shouldn’t Use?
- It’s not ideal for all kinds of materials but only limited to light ones.
- The lack of a carrying bag makes the saw inconvenience its owners.
6. Black & Decker BDCCS20B – 20-Volt Mini Circular Saw
When you are looking for a saw price and size is never a big deal. The most important thing is the effectiveness and the ability to do the work you intended the saw to do. With the Black & Decker BDCCS20B 20v, you are assured of all that in addition to its fair price and long service.
With its powerful motor and thin blades, the saw has the ability to do very fast cuts and also smooth ones. With its bevel ability, the saw also has the ability to make multiple applications to produce products that are in line with clients demands
Features BDCCS20B
- Very powerful motor
- Has a thin blade
- Its tool-free depth of cut allows for easy depth adjustments
- The saw has an adjustment with detents at 45 and 90 degrees
- Its light weight makes it easy to use.
- The circular saw a two-year limited warranty.
- This saw has a high torque motor 5-1/2-Inch. fast cutting blade for a different of cuts
Pros & Cons of Black & Decker BDCCS20B
Why Should Use?
- Its warranty gives users confidence about the quality of the tool.
- Its bevel capacity gives it the advantage of doing multiple of applications including accurate angle cuts.
- The powerful motor makes the saw faster than full-sized motors.
- Its thin blade makes it produce smooth cuts
Why Shouldn’t Use?
- The saw is sold separately with its battery which becomes an inconvenience to the buyer and which also leads to additional costs of locating and buying the battery.
7. SKIL 5180-01 – 14-Amp, Compact Circular Saw
The Skil compact circular saw is one of the lightest saws which ensures comfortability during working and transportation. Continuing the Skil circular saw the tradition of providing quality tools the tool is also very durable and consistent providing a very quality cutting. Many people have also argued that it’s the lightest law in the market.
This saw also has a good magnesium base which provides comfort during working while still maintaining its great shape and lightweight. More to that its 24 tooth is ideal for smooth cuts and also fats cutting which lead to better quality work.
Its strong motor is good for fast cuts and for convenience. More to its warranty this saw also comes with a 180-day trial period during which you can return the saw if not convinced or satisfied by it.
Features SKIL 5180-01
- It has a strong magnesium base to provide comfort and stability.
- The saw can do multiple applications thanks to its bevel capacity
- It has a strong motor which provides adequate power.
- Its blade is very thin
- Destined for smooth operation, the anti-snag lower guard is ideal for small cuts
Pros & Cons of SKIL 5180-01
Why Should Use?
- Its tough light nature makes it very convenient since the users can work with it for long hours without getting tired.
- Having a strong plastic grip which does not slip not only provides comfort during work but also security during working.
- The saw can be used for multiple functions as you only need to change the blade to suit the material you want to work on.
- Its bevel capacity is also very ideal for doing a different kind of cuts with easy without straining too much on the accuracy of angles.
- The saw also does not require batteries as it’s made to rely on electric power which reduces the user’s cost of acquiring batteries and also their maintenance.
- Its tough blade makes the saw good for cutting tough materials such as nails.
Why Shouldn’t Use?
- Unlike other saws which are fitted with batteries to enable continuity of work even when there is power shortage, this saw relies on power which means when there is power failure the work comes to a halt.
- This saw is not sold with a carrying bag.
- This saw is very expensive as compared to other saws that perform similar tasks.
How to use a mini circular saw.
The usage of this saws can be a task left alone the danger associated with the saw. A lot of care is always recommended and maintenance to the saws before and after use to ensure full potential and excellent end products.
The following points will explain how to use a circular saw safely.
1. Always try to understand the type of saw you want to purchase, what its use will be and why it would function better than another saw
To increase efficiency go for a saw you are comfortable with, and one which you are sure will do the work you purchased it for to completion. There are different types of saws ranging from trim saws, Skilsaws to worm drive saws. Each time performs different functions and has different types of blades. The difference of the saws is mainly brought about by the blades and security concerns. Saws whose blades have many teeth are used to make very precise smooth cuts while those with fewer teeth are used to make rougher cuts.
2. Understand the different types of saw blades
In order to maintain the quality of work you are doing ensure that the blade size, its number of teeth and the blade quality is high. With high blade quality cost of replacements is reduced are more work can be done. The more the teeth, the greater the cut is.
However, if you are looking for a rougher cut then you can use a blade with fewer teeth, and it produces rough cuts.
On blades, different types of blades are designed for different type of work. Giving an example of diamond rim blade which is designed to slice more hard material like steel, masonry products and or bricks.
3. Always inspect the saw before use
Checking the status of the saw is very important. Identify any broken teeth in the blade and make replacements. Also, check whether the blade is worn out in order to have the correct one. Ensure any cable is tight proper and if you are using battery saws ensure that the battery is charged and its will in order to avoid any inconveniences during working.
After the saw is in proper condition ensure the material you are cutting is marked to the end- by using a measuring take and marking the material more accurate cuts are made than when you try to estimate when you are already cutting.
4. Ensure that you have a reliable source of power
Since the saw uses power to ensure the power source is secure and reliable. This will minimize electric faults which could be very costly.
Power especially hydroelectric is known to be very dangerous and can cause a lot of damage when handled carelessly. Loose sockets should be well maintained, and an electrical engineer should always inspect the status regularly to ensure maximum safety not only to the user but also clients.
It’s also important to have a power backup. This helps a lot especially when you are doing commercial work as work does not stop as you wait for power..
5. Check whether the blade guard is fully functional
Blade guards are very important in danger prevention. Therefore, it’s always important to have it properly functioning the reduce the possibility of danger. Since it prevents dust from the eye direction, it should be properly maintained to ensure full functionality.
Not all circular saw manufacturing companies have protective warranties to their customers. Therefore, the user should take the cover in case of an accident.
6. Use eye and ear protection
Since the saw is always blowing dust ensure your eyes are well covered with protective glasses to avoid any distraction during your working process. The ear guard reduces the noise since the saws make a lot of noise during operation.
7. Make sure the saw is unplugged before any adjustments to it
If you notice any fault with the saw do not make any adjustments when it’s still in operation since it can cause serious harm to you or even other users.
Also during this period of adjustments do not let the saw be handled by inexperienced people to avoid further damage.
8. Have a proper maintenance schedule
Maintenance is not necessarily done when equipment is broken down. To ensure continued proper working, it’s important to make sure the saw is checked regularly and if there are problems rectified before they persist. By doing this, you don’t only keep the saw working, but you also reduce the changes of the saw causing harm to the user.
9. Circular saw storage
After use, it’s important to keep the saw safe for next job. During this period when not in work ensure that it’s not connected to any power source. Also, keep it away from water to avoid rusting. You can also grease it for proper condition. Keep it in its bag.
Conclusion
All mini circular saws are generally good due to their shapes and ability to do their work effectively. The choice of the author on the best circular saw is however not biased or influenced, but it’s an opinion based on authors analysis and thoughts. After the review, we settled for the RK3441K, this is a better version of the RK3440 which means the deficiencies found in the other saw were corrected in the new Rockwell saw to improve efficiency and functionality. Also with thinner blades, the cutting is easy and faster since they penetrate faster than the thicker blades.
The best thing about this saw is its light weight which ensures that the saw is easy to handle without getting tired, unlike the old versioned saws which were very bulky and heavy. Its grip also provides comfort, control and balance reducing possibilities of risks. You will also notice that the saw is very easy to use and does not require professional training to handle. In fact, by reading its manual, you can use it for simple tasks like wood cutting.
The warranty of this saw is three years but is limited and does not include cover for careless handling and normal wearing of the saw. The warranty will take care of malfunction of the saw and will either replace it or repair it on behalf of the owner.
With all equipment production companies turning into producing motor-driven equipment’s the Rockwell was not left behind since it also wants maximum productivity from its buyers. With this in mind, it produced a saw that requires less energy and its faster saving time
With this saw, less maintenance is required and is mainly made to deal with all types of materials with comfort.
Since Rockwell has not produced a better version than this one, it’s advisable to give it a try to consider its functions since it looks like a good deal. This makes it earn the authors votes for the best mini circular saw.
FAQ
Q. What is a compact/mini circular saw?
A. A compact circular is a saw that is a very powerful tool and is designed for quick and easy cutting of virtually any material. It is primarily used for cutting through materials such as chipboard, plywood, fiberboard, and others.
Q. What are the advantages of a mini circular saw?
A. The advantages of a mini circular saw include its compact size, maneuverability, portability, better control, and ability to complete jobs quickly.
Q. What materials can a mini circular saw be used for?
A. A mini circular saw can be used for cutting through materials such as chipboard, plywood, fiberboard, and others.
Q. Is the finesse of the end product good with a mini circular saw?
A. Yes, the finesse of the end product is very good with a mini circular saw, as it has adjustable blades which make it capable of performing different tasks.
Q. Are there customers’ complaints about the mini circular saw?
A. Fewer customers or users complain about mini circular saws, and if you see compact circular saw reviews, you may be encouraged or tempted to use them.