I used the compact circular saw for... a small project recently and I found that it really facilitated the cutting I needed to do. I prefer a corded circular saw because I don't want to have to charge the battery each time if I had a battery-powered one. However, I do find the handle too large to have to firm grasp of it and it is hard to cut in a straight line. I suppose this machine is good for cutting jobs that do not require precision cutting.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This is the second one of these I have bought; wh...y would I do that? The first one showed me how very good it is to have a vacuum port, especially in remodel work. It stopped right there. My hand size is xl. Even so, I found it almost impossible to make horizontal cuts, especially down low, because of the difficulty in depressing the safety button and the on switch at the same time. I'm sure the testing of this unit before going to market was not as rigorous as, say at Sears Test Base. The engineers and technicians there would have rejected the tool as rubbish. One cannot safely coordinate and control those two switches except using the upright stance and grip shown in the product photos. It is light, makes fast work cutting light materials, and has good adjustment features, if you're standing at the work and cutting straight away from yourself. Any other positioning produces bad cuts and dangerous positioning of the hands because of the safety button. The danger comes in attempting an awkward cut and having the safety switch prevent continuous running. This stops the blade and usually causes the blade to pinch when one is trying to negotiate the grip on the two switches; the mechanical interlock safety, and the electrical trigger. During these pinches the saw will kick back, also dangerous. If all of the cutting to be done was standing at the work, any number of other saws would be just fine, including a worm drive. This brings up the question of handedness. The Rockwell could be handier for lefties, but the grip around the drive components is just as cumbersome for left or right. Other tools seldom have this cumbersome grip burdened further by having to actuate, in sequence, the safety and then "on". The safety switches I've run across on the other popular brands do not present these problems. Also,using it left handed, the blade is hard to see. We used to get paid to produce these evaluations. A reasonable fix would be to have the safety and trigger directly apposed; top and bottom. Then anyone that could grip around the neck of this saw could use it in almost any position. Better yet, have both be electrical wired in series so that the hand would have to be fully engaged in order to switch it "on". It's my opinion that this product will produce more liability than it would without the safety. Interesting, because the safety is a mechanical interlock which can easily be defeated. I'm thinking all of this is probably moot as this product is becoming unpopular, and there is a noticeable uptick in Ebay and 'clearance' sales of the unit.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Great saw. Lots of power. The only negative is the hand...le is quite large and hard to hang onto. If you have small hands, you might want to consider some other brand or take a test drive at a local store before purchasing.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I got to use my saw for the first time tonight and I loved it...! Powerful, fit good in my hands. And I Love the fact that it is so much lighter than a full size circular saw. It went though all the various lumber like it was butter Easy to hold a straight line. Another Rockwell tool that I should have bought much sooner. I Love it
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Works great and is nice to have a smaller size saw. Cut through ...3/4" plywood with no problem. Vacuum attachment works pretty good. Would have given it a 5 star, but handle is a little big for my hand and safety interlock is difficult to reach with thumb while trying to depress trigger. Seems like a smaller saw would have been made for someone with smaller hands to work comfortably. Other than that, really enjoying the smaller circular saw.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Refurbished