expired Posted by wiseghost • Feb 4, 2025
Feb 4, 2025 4:08 AM
expired Posted by wiseghost • Feb 4, 2025
Feb 4, 2025 4:08 AM
Hack Milwaukee M12 FUEL 12V Lithium-Ion Brushless 5-3/8 in. Cordless Circular Saw 2521-20 - $91
$91
$159
42% offHome Depot
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First thing I did was switched to the Diablo blade
I'm mostly in the M12 ecosystem but I bought the 18v x2 7-1/4 Makita circ saw with 4 total batteries plus charger a while back on SD. Used it a handful of times but I was looking to get into an 18v system at the time, and to date I've only gotten their trimmers and blower for yard work and the portable inflator.
Obviously cutting thickness is reduced downsizing but for light homeowner remodeling stuff I'm thinking this might be worth jumping on and parting ways with the Makita saw and some batteries.
I'm mostly in the M12 ecosystem but I bought the 18v x2 7-1/4 Makita circ saw with 4 total batteries plus charger a while back on SD. Used it a handful of times but I was looking to get into an 18v system at the time, and to date I've only gotten their trimmers and blower for yard work and the portable inflator.
Obviously cutting thickness is reduced downsizing but for light homeowner remodeling stuff I'm thinking this might be worth jumping on and parting ways with the Makita saw and some batteries.
I haven't tried this M12 yet, but from what I read, if it is your only saw I'd keep Makita. More power to do the real work.
I have just bought this Milwaukee and am planning to keep my corded circular saw in case I need to cut something more than a couple of 2x4s. I think Milwaukee can handle most of the regular homeowner stuff, but you may need mire power occasionally.
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I'm mostly in the M12 ecosystem but I bought the 18v x2 7-1/4 Makita circ saw with 4 total batteries plus charger a while back on SD. Used it a handful of times but I was looking to get into an 18v system at the time, and to date I've only gotten their trimmers and blower for yard work and the portable inflator.
Obviously cutting thickness is reduced downsizing but for light homeowner remodeling stuff I'm thinking this might be worth jumping on and parting ways with the Makita saw and some batteries.
I have the makita x2 rear handle and I've had this m12 for a few months now. The m12 compliments the makita (or any other heavy duty circ saw) well since it's so lightweight and easy to hold at awkward angles, overhead, etc. Power level is obviously much lower, but I mostly use it for plywood or occasional 2x lumber. Not a fan of the plastic blade guard, but otherwise it's pretty solid. Like mentioned above, definitely swap the stock blade out and preferably use with a 5.0 high output battery.
I have just bought this Milwaukee and am planning to keep my corded circular saw in case I need to cut something more than a couple of 2x4s. I think Milwaukee can handle most of the regular homeowner stuff, but you may need mire power occasionally.
Thanks for the insight. Most of my own M12 drills and impacts are 5-10 years old now so pre-Fuel, and I'm slowly upgrading those, grabbed a Fuel sander, oscillating tool, and just recently the hammer drill/impact deal with a few batteries included.
But this saw deal very much falls into the category of, don't NEED, but could maybe use one day..
I can do everything with the Makita and do it well.
This saw can only do a couple things. So far I'm unimpressed. It's got a certain use case where it excels. Light quick kinda crappy saw work. It's not as precise. Or anywhere near as powerful. Or well built.
I'm going to keep it. But I'm glad I bought a new diablo blade for the Makita and not this. Would have been a waste...
Maybe you are in their list...... just won't go through?
Shahhere
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I see a 5 1/2" and a 5 3/8" Diablo ones, one's "framing" and the other is "fast framing" with 18 or 24 teeth, does it matter which one to get for 2 bys?
I've been trying to get a Diablo blade for this tool for the longest time on sale, but it never is and is around $15 each. Meanwhile the 7 1/4" is often $3 each on clearance 😩
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This uses a non-standard blade size and non-standard arbor size (10mm). So buying blades for it is a huge pain in the butt, since 7-1/4 blades are common, and a 7-1/4 saw can also take common 6-1/2 blades. But blade size isn't even the biggest dealbreaker, 5/8" is THE standard for arbor size (i.e. the hole in the middle that holds the blades), so now you're stuck with a tiny handful of compatible blades (and few if any specialized ones).
What I am saying, imagine walking into big box DIY stores, and near zero compatible blades are in-stock. I just checked in-stock status on 5-3/8" (10mm) Vs. 7-1/4" (5/8") Vs. 6-1/2" (5/8"), with the 5-3/8 they had exactly ONE, with the 7-1/4 they had FIFTEEN, with the 6-1/2 they had eight. See my point?
And this isn't a brand thing, Milwaukee sells all three sizes.
This uses a non-standard blade size and non-standard arbor size (10mm). So buying blades for it is a huge pain in the butt, since 7-1/4 blades are common, and a 7-1/4 saw can also take common 6-1/2 blades. But blade size isn't even the biggest dealbreaker, 5/8" is THE standard for arbor size (i.e. the hole in the middle that holds the blades), so now you're stuck with a tiny handful of compatible blades (and few if any specialized ones).
What I am saying, imagine walking into big box DIY stores, and near zero compatible blades are in-stock. I just checked in-stock status on 5-3/8" (10mm) Vs. 7-1/4" (5/8") Vs. 6-1/2" (5/8"), with the 5-3/8 they had exactly ONE, with the 7-1/4 they had FIFTEEN, with the 6-1/2 they had eight. See my point?
And this isn't a brand thing, Milwaukee sells all three sizes.
I got in on the Skil deal and was lucky to get in on the Milwaukee M12 Drill/Driver combo with the extra 5Ah battery. I then decided to purchase the Milwaukee 5-3/8 saw since it was more compact and lighter than the Skil. Plus I would have the extra batteries from the combo deal. Like you, I started looking to see the availability of 5-3/8 and 5 1/2 blades that are out there. Not much. Right now, I decided to return the Skil and stay with the M12 saw. The $91 price is not hot. Searching SD shows that six months ago it was selling for $92. But I like the feel of it vs the Skil. Someone had suggested using a bore reduction bushing 5/8 to 10mm if there are any 5 3/8 blades with 5/8 arbor. Diablo blades are expensive. I wish when these guys on youtube are reviewing saws they would point this out other than proclaim that the tool cuts lumber.
I too got in on the combo deal. So the 2Ah, 4Ah and the extra 5Ah works with this saw. That's why I purchased the saw + 5Ah battery and just returned the 5Ah battery.
So I got the saw for 91 + tax and plan on using the three batteries from the combo set with it. I returned the fourth battery from the combo set to bring the combo down to 124.53.