Tool Potential...A compact circular saw?

Tool potential.  One of the things I think is important is to provide tool reviews that give realistic ideas on how well a tool works not only in general but in context of different environments and use cases.  What may be a less than ideal tool in one environment may be quite useful in another.

Use case is also relative and important.  Not every person uses a tool exactly the same way depending on the materials involved and tasks at hand.  But not every tool is marketed as clear?my as we'd like.  They don't always provide clear use cases.  It would really help to know what it is intended to do.  What purpose does it primarily serve?  Based on that knowledge, we can extrapolate from there into new areas. The question hopefully being answered in this type of article is, "What is it's tool potential?"

So this is not a performance review of a specific brand or model of a compact circular saw.  No, no.  This is a use case review.  This is a look into what purpose does a compact circular saw serve?  Why on earth would you buy one if you already have a full size circular saw?  What is it's tool potential?

These are important questions.  The vast majority of marketing and use cases in reviews are focused on craft and D.I.Y uses.  But, is there a need or use case for these tools on the jobsite?  If so, where?

Most suggestions for the compact circular saw are focused on ease of use, user fatigue, and use in space restricted areas.  While those are fine and reasonable suggestions, they, in themselves, do not necessarily warrant buying one.

But where do these tools belong on a jobsite?  Do they even really have a place on a jobsite?  Believe it or not, they actually do.  

While most models are able to cut deep enough to cut a 2 by, thats not really where you want to use it.  These tools are much better reserved for thinner materials or specialty uses.  The combination of easy handling and a variety of types of blades make this a handy addition to the toolbox.

First off, ditch the common 24 tooth blades that usually accompany these tools. Here are blades much better suited for cleaner, more fine cutting and for cutting special materials.  These are where you want to focus your attention, not a so-so rough cut wood blade.  This isn't necessarily a framers tool.

Personally, I recommend these for use in finish work.  Trim, countertops, cabinets, flooring, even roofing.  The focus being that these saws are practically ideal to have at hand not just on the job site, but alongside as you work.  You might even find it eventually so handy to have at hand you keep it on your toolbelt like your drill.

I'm not kidding.  Because they are so compact and light to handle, they are so nice to use to cut pieces to fit.  The cordless versions are even more convenient to have at hand.

Cut-to-fit is the number one reason to have one and keep it close. Quick, straight line cuts are practically what they seem to have been invented for.  These even have blades that make them useful for cutting pvc and metal which are dandy for cutting small pipes on-the-spot.

Let's get off the jobsite for a bit and get into the home/D.I.Y use category.  beekeepers build hives out of 1 by material.  This tool is ideal for the D.I.Y beekeeper.  Also, yes, because they are smaller, lighter, more ergonomic, and easy to use, the home fix-it person will really appreciate it's usefulness doing small fixes around the house and yard.

Now me, I have the Worx 20V cordless version and I couldn't not have it at this point.  Doing small, on-the-spot repairs of everything from flooring, roofing, trimwork, even drywall, is incredibly helpful.  One might go so far to say that this is an ideal "Makers" tool if you're familiar with the new term for what we used to call a tinkerer.  People who just go crazy at inventing and customizing new and improved things.

So, if you've ever seen these tools at the hardware store, online, or somewhere else and wondered about if having one would be worth it.  It depends on how active you are in building and repairing things.  The more involved in building, installing, and repairing you are, the more useful I think you will find having one.

I'm sure that eventually I'll get to doing a full review of the Worx cordless model with the whole article/video/podcast comprehensive look at it in the near future.  Until then, hopefully I've given you something to consider about these handy little saws.