With Skil launching so many new tools on their 12V and 20V battery platform, it is easy to see a lot of thought went into what they created for each line. I am a massive fan of 12V tools, they are compact, easy to take anywhere and usually pack enough power to get a wide range of jobs done. One tool I don’t often see on a 12V platform though is a circular saw. Skil was obviously eager to give homeowners and DIYers the performance they needed in a compact saw. Let’s see how this tool handles in the Skil 12V Circular Saw Review.
A Little About the Brand-
Skil 12V Circular Saw Review
Skil has gone through a fairly large overhaul in the last year or so. Since Chervon, the same powerhouse behind the brand EGO purchased them along with Skilsaw, they’ve made a lot of changes to revamp their lineup and give users what they need most. While Skilsaw caters to the professional user, Skil is all about the weekend warrior.
What matters most to homeowners isn’t necessarily cut capacity or run time, yes they matter, but more important is finding good value with solid features that will allow them to complete their projects with ease. Skil certainly has made waves already with their new tools, and I have a feeling we will keep seeing their tools evolve to include more creative features to cater to their user’s needs without sacrificing quality.
Detailed Look-
Skil 12V Circular Saw Review
The Skil 12V Circular Saw utilizes a brushless motor for improved performance and run time. This compact Circular Saw also features an electric brake for safety and reduced time needed between cuts. The saw includes the tool, a 5-1/2 inch blade, an Allen key, and a vacuum adaptor.
The Skil 12V battery platform uses the PowerCore technology allows efficiency and power despite its compact size. The battery also is equipped with a USB port for on the go charging of your electronics as well as the ability to charge quickly with their PWRJump chargers.
Skil includes a 5-1/2 inch18-tooth thin-kerf blade with carbide tips for long life and improved cutting performance.
The steel shoe allows for accurate and precise cutting and keeps the tool stable to the workpiece.
The Depth adjustment is easy to operate and provides a 1-5/8 inch cut at 90 degrees and a 1-3/16 at 45 degrees.
A 50-degree bevel capacity is easily adjusted by manipulating the front dial. An LED light improves visibility of the workspace.
The paddle-style safety rests on the handle just above the trigger for improved safety when not in use.
Value-
Skil 12V Circular Saw Review
As with all Skil products, they are an exceptional value. This tool retails for $79.99 bare tool or $139.99 for the Kit with a 4.0 battery and charger. For the features included in this tool, it’s an incredible value and will suit a lot of users needs.
My Thoughts-
Skil 12V Circular Saw Review
Circular Saws are often one of the first tools a homeowner purchases, and likely the first if not only saw they need to own for basic projects around the house. The most common materials a homeowner will find a need to cut are plywood, fence pickets and of course dimensional lumber. The question is, could a compact saw with a 12V battery and 5-1/2 inch blade really power through a 2X4?
Much to my surprise, yes. I honestly thought this saw would struggle to make its way through a full 1-1/2 inch cut of pine given its size and weight but it didn’t disappoint. I also used it on a slew of other materials just to see how well the power to size performance was and it actually cut through quite a few hardwoods without issue too. Now, I don’t think this tool is truly designed for that use over the long run, but it was good to see that for occasional use on materials like walnut and maple that it would still hold through those cuts well.
Straight out of the box, this saw was really impressive in terms of set-up and staying square. It required very little adjustments to cut at a perfect 90 degrees. As well, the shoe is well made and sturdy, something I think is usually lacking on some budget-friendly saws. The bevel and depth adjustments were both simple to make and easy to fine tune.
I love the way this saw felt to use overall. The paddle-style safety was new for me, although I have seen it come about more and more on new tool launches. Thankfully it was an easy adjustment to make on a tool and felt very intuitive after the first few cuts. Overall, this saw is very comfortable to use. Several other people have used the saw while I owned it too, all with a wide range of experience levels and everyone had the same overall impression, this saw is awesome.
Overall, I am very impressed with this saw. For what it is designed for, it certainly exceeds expectations. This is a tool I love for small and quick jobs. It is easy to reach for this saw when you need to make a handful of cuts and want the job done quickly and efficiently. I would say this is the perfect tool for a homeowner who may need to make small repairs but also wants the ability to occasionally perform more advanced tasks.