What saw blade for cutting MDF with circular saw?

[02bluesuperroo]

I hope this belongs in this forum and not "OT".

I have a cheapo Ryobi circular saw.

http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,526.html

I tried using it to cut some MDF and it was like a cold knife through concrete. I'm hoping that the saw is powerfull enough and the blade is the problem. The blade that I'm using came with the saw and I'm sure it is the most basic of all blades available. Is there a better blade that would allow me to cut 3/4" MDF with this saw or is the saw not powerfull enough for that duty?

Thanks in advance,

Rob

[chad]

Dumb question but I've seen it done before...... You have the blade going the right direction correct?

[squatchie16]

I have had good luck with a finish blade. Little, sharp teeth. Takes a little longer but makes a good cut. Carbide tip is your friend.

[02bluesuperroo]

Dumb question but I've seen it done before...... You have the blade going the right direction correct?

I kept figureing I had this wrong and I must've checked it a dozen times. The blade was going in the right direction. :p

[khail19]

I have what appears to be the same saw, I bought it on sale for $20 at Home Depot a while back. It will not cut through 3/4" MDF without binding up, and I've tried it with a few different blades. My Skil worm drive goes through it like butter, even with the cheap blade that came with it. That Ryobi just isn't powerful enough for thicker stuff. It works OK on softer woods, but it really is just a crap tool IMO.

[02bluesuperroo]

I have what appears to be the same saw, I bought it on sale for $20 at Home Depot a while back. It will not cut through 3/4" MDF without binding up, and I've tried it with a few different blades. My Skil worm drive goes through it like butter, even with the cheap blade that came with it. That Ryobi just isn't powerful enough for thicker stuff. It works OK on softer woods, but it really is just a crap tool IMO.

Crap, I was afraid of that. :(

[unpredictableacts]

i picked up a decent craftsman saw that is actually a real nice saw.....even has a laser for a guide, but a rarely use it.

[dragonrage]

So which saw do you guys recommend on the cheap?

[Thoraudio]

for a cheapie... my B&D Firestorm has never let me down...

[02bluesuperroo]

I have what appears to be the same saw, I bought it on sale for $20 at Home Depot a while back. It will not cut through 3/4" MDF without binding up, and I've tried it with a few different blades. My Skil worm drive goes through it like butter, even with the cheap blade that came with it. That Ryobi just isn't powerful enough for thicker stuff. It works OK on softer woods, but it really is just a crap tool IMO.

The stats look very similar to other saws though. It has a 13 amp motor as does the cheapest Craftsman. The more expensive Craftsman only steps it up to a 14 amp motor. I'm not looking to spend over $75 here. The wife's mother bought me 2 things for xmas, some clamps and this saw, both of which are now broken or useless. Cheap people FTL. :(

[ClinesSelect]

So which saw do you guys recommend on the cheap?

I could not be any happier with my Skil saw (http://www.skiltools.com/en/AllTools/Category/Product/default.html?pid=5750-01&cid=192162) when I don't want to haul out the Bosch. It was $75 at Home Depot and has no problem cutting 0.75" MDF.

[squatchie16]

I have this http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@2004749269.1172521574@ @@@&BV_EngineID=ccdjaddkfhlfhllcgelceffdfgidgng.0&CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc/searchResults.jsp&MID=9876&N=2984+3966&pos=n24

It works well.

[chad]

for a cheapie... my B&D Firestorm has never let me down...

I have a B&D WoodHawk that just rocks! You can hook the shop vac to it too!

[MIAaron]

Check for a local used tool store, ebay, Sunday classifieds, or trading times. I've never been let down by my craftsman circular saws. Even the beaten, rusted, dented and abused 25 year old one....

[shinjohn]

You want a combination blade for general cutting; they work very well on MDF.

If you are looking to get another saw, Craigs list is one of the best places to buy used tools. For something like a circular saw, which is one of the more frequently used power tools, I recommend a worm drive model if you can afford it. I've got a Skil Mag 77 and can't be happier with it.

My 2 cents.

[dragonrage]

Any of those suggestions come with a carrying case? I'm a sucker for cases as all my tools get stored in my bedroom closet at the moment...

[squatchie16]

Any of those suggestions come with a carrying case? I'm a sucker for cases as all my tools get stored in my bedroom closet at the moment...
yeah mine did

[dragonrage]

yeah mine did

Your link goes to the power tools section for me, not a specific tool.

[8675309]

http://www.projects.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/pioneer/images/photos/woodtools.jpg

This should get the job done.:rolleyes:

[squatchie16]

Your link goes to the power tools section for me, not a specific tool.
Its the milwaukee, 7 1/4" for $139.

[02bluesuperroo]

I just went and picked up this:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&pid=00910870000&cat=Portable+Power+Tools&subcat=Circular+Saws&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

Should suit my needs quite nicely, hopefully. :)

[dragonrage]

I'm actually thinking about the Milwaukee. It's not on the cheap, but I've been reading up and hearing bad things about basically every brand except Milwaukee. If not the Milwaukee, then I'll go for Makita.

I'll need the rip fence as well. A circular saw is pretty much useless to me without one.

[B&K]

The Makita is really nice for the money, I am normally not that much of a Makita fan but it works great and comes with a perfect blade. It is a bit thinner than most, but that really helps cut mdf.

[ca90ss]

I'd go for the Milwaukee. Makita's quality has gone downhill in the past few years.

[dragonrage]

K, ordered the Milwaukee from here http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/saws/circular_saws/7-1-4-/6390-81.html?ref=froogle6390-81

Damn you guys for making me spend more than I wanted :P But at least this'll last me, has a good warranty just in case, and probably won't feel like crap like my mom's cheap Skil does. (I don't live with her anyway, and I don't feel like driving to her place to borrow that POS)

[Hillbilly SQ]

i have a cheap $40 skil from walmart that does great. no more than i use it it's yet to let me down. and it's a stout sucker too. i use a 40-tooth carbide blade for everything. works fine.

[savagebee]

Ive used a ton of makita saws in the past, but they are all at least 4-5 years old (probably more so) when i was framing houses.. those saws were extremely dependable and reliable

[squatchie16]

K, ordered the Milwaukee from here http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/saws/circular_saws/7-1-4-/6390-81.html?ref=froogle6390-81

Damn you guys for making me spend more than I wanted :P But at least this'll last me, has a good warranty just in case, and probably won't feel like crap like my mom's cheap Skil does. (I don't live with her anyway, and I don't feel like driving to her place to borrow that POS)
I really like mine....this is the second one. The first one i bought ended up my dads after he helped build part of my house a few years back. Sounds fair right? Build house, get saw. lol

[dragonrage]

Tell him I'll give him a router if he'll build a house for me. Gotta expand the tool collection :D