I am looking to buy a small trim saw mainly for cutting sheet goods. I have narrowed the choices down to two, The Porter Cable 314 and the Skil 5 1/2″. Both seem like nice saws with the same weight, the main differences being:
The Porter Cable depth of cut is only 1 5/16″ while the Skil is 1 3/4″
The PC is a worm drive while the Skil is a sidewinder
The Skil has the blade on the left side, the PC on the right
The PC costs about $100 more than the Skil
I love the build quality of the Porter Cable which is very rugged, the smooth running worm drive and the fact that the motor will not interfear when using a guide and clamp since the motor does not hang over the base. It has also been around forever.
The skil has a little more powerful motor, I like the blade on the left and the ability to cut 2x material.
My question is to anyone who has used either or both of these saws, what did you like or dislike and which one would you rather own and use.
Thanks
Bob
Replies
I have had the P-C 314 for over 14 years. It started life in the field on trim jobs then moved to the shop after a career change, it must have cut 10K feet of 1/4"-3/4" sheet goods! It has always performed great, never a problem. Like you say, P-C build quality is first rate and you get what you pay for. Just don't expect it to take the place of a 7 1/4 saw and you will not be disappointed. Also, very sharp thin kerf blades are really a must.
Have you looked at the Porter-Cable #345PC? It's a sidewinder with a 6 inch blade on the left and a good dust pick-up that you can hook to a vac or an accessory dust bag. The depth of cut is 1 15/16ths.
I used one a few times and really liked it, it would be my first choice for cutting sheet goods, especially because I like a left bladed saw for following a line or a fence. In the Tool Crib catalog it's going for only $139 which puts it in the same price range as the Skil.
John W.
I also own a Porter Cable #314, its one of the Best saws you could ever own for cutting sheet goods,while its on the costly side it is well worth the price..
No it won't replace your 7 1/4' circular saw,but then it wasn't made for that purpose.. its nice & light & compact& has tons of power for zipping thru plywood.
ToolDoc
Hello,
I too have the P-C 345 "Saw Boss" referenced by one of the other folks that posted. It's not as pricey as the 314 nor as powerful as the 7 1/4 P-C 743. It's job is to cut sheet goods, but I have used it to cut wet nasty PT 2x dimensional lumber also (just need a real sharp blade). I liked the saw mostly because the blade was on the left, at the time when I bought the saw there were not too many lefties around.. It works for me..
I purchased a cordless Bosch 14.4 volt that came with a drill. It will cut up to 2x material. I sure like the cordless aspect. A lot of times I cut sheet goods in a different building or even outside when its nice & it sure is nice to grab the saw & go with out having to locate the cord.
Jim, I have a cordless Panasonic 15.6 volt saw, and I totaly agree with you about the convience of being cordless. However, my saw is about 5 years old and BOTH of my batteries are dead. They wont even hold enough charge to cut a 4' chunk of 3/4 plywood with a full charge. To replace them I am looking at about $90 each.
So for the $180 I need for 2 new batteries I can almost buy a brand new PC 314 ($219), or the Skil ($119) and have $60 left over for something else. I love cordless, but not at $200 every 5 years. The corded saws I am looking at will probably outlast me. At this point I am going to stick with a corded saw and leave the cordless tools to drills.
I have to add that I am also looking at the Festool 6 1/4" saw which is a little larger but is in another league of quality. Also A LOT more money!
Panasonic is one of the more expensive tools to replace batteries for. If a person bought Dewalt the batteries are about 60 bucks or less. I would still buy the batteries in my case due to the convenience, but you have a good point. Thanx.
Cunner,
Have you considered having your packs rebuilt? I got a quote of 54$ per pack for 2 14.4 craftsman packs a year ago.I think it was an outfit called batteries plus who have outlets in most larger cities. I opted not to do it because I could replace the compleat drill kit for 99$.There were also a couple of threads on this subject a while ago so you might try archives.If you are really adventuresome, you might try googleing up some sources of 1.2V sub C cells,the building blocks of all cordless tool battery packs, and rebuilding them yourself. I didn't go that route because of the relative cost; still about 45$, and my fear of perhaps frying a cell or two while soldering. It seems a shame to waste a high quality, expensive tool like that if there were an affordable solution.
Chris
Cunner
I like the PC Saw Boss too. I found it at the best price at Sam's Club, I think it was $119.
Bob,
Don't overlook Makita's 5 1/2" trim saw. I'm not up to date on saws because, for the most part, I made my decisions long ago. I've also long ago forgotten nearly every model number I ever knew. I can't even say for sure how many years ago my business partner and I first bought a couple Makita trim saws. The choice was made based on which trim saws were comfortable and ran at the proper rpm for a 5 1/2" saw. We found the Makita to be most comfortable and the only saw in the category that actually ran at the proper rpm to give a good sfpm rating for a 5 1/2" blade. That could have changed--like I said, I haven't kept up on all the new tools.
They're not cheap saws but both the saws we bought years ago still run like they did when they were new. I don't remember what we paid for our saws years ago and don't have a clue what they sell for today. I suggest you not consider the Makita 4 3/8", it doesn't make a very good trim saw.
Here's a link to Makita's web site listing for the saw:
http://www.makita.com/Tools_Item_View.asp?id=95
Edited 7/2/2003 9:31:28 PM ET by Larry Williams
Larry,
Thats an excellent idea to look into the Makita line. I did not realize they made a small trim saw and from the picture it looks quite nice. I will try and find one in my area to give a hands on.
How is the finished cut, is there much tear out, assuming that you have replaced the steel blade with a carbide one.
Thanks
Bob
Bob,
Makita blades, like their better tools, aren't cheap. They're made by Tenru who's saw blades will compare very favorably with Forrest. In fact, I like 'em better. The high rpm of the little Makita and the quality blades make for an exceptional quality of cut. We got to the point where we didn't bother to score even hollow core doors before cutting them off when necessary. That's cutting thin ply veneer across the grain with no fear of tear our on top.
The HSS steel blades for the Makita 5 1/2" are very good but, if you're using the saw a lot, I suggest you consider their carbide blades.
I also bought a 4 3/8" Makita saw. Its 11,000 rpm was great except, for a hand guided saw, was very prone to burning. This burning quickly leads to pitch build-up on the blade and tear out problems.
I can say that I've used the Porter Cable trim saw and prefer my Makita -- hands down.
Larry,
I was able to find the Makita 5 1/2" saw (5005BA) in my area and I was very impressed. It was nicely balanced and very comfortable in my hand,light and easy to see blade. It will also cut 2x material. I was glad to here you can achieve such a fine no tear out cut with the addition of a good carbide blade.
My only concerns would be:
The stamped steel base seems a little thin and is not rounded on the edges to run against a guide. (maybe this is better?)
The saw does not have any means of squaring up the blade to the base if needed.
The area in the back where you raise and lower the blade is a very thin strip of metal. It seems like it might be a weak point if it were under any stress while cutting with the blade raised up a little.
I was wondering if this describes your saw also or has Makita made some changes since you bought yours. If your saw is of the same build and you have not had any problems that would be a big plus.
Otherwise this seems to be a great little saw. I really like the higher RPM's + good blade to get a finish ready cut.
Thaks again Larry
Bob
Bob,
Well, you did find the weak point of the saw. I just use a 6" adjustable square to square the base to the blade. It moves around easily and locks with the depth lock. Take care of the saw and be careful of the base. You can bend the thin section on the left side of the blade which will effect squareness in the other direction. I have thought about machining my own base for the saw but reasonable care works just as well with a lot less hassle.
I'm impressed with your ability to judge a tool. Too bad Makita hasn't fixed that on it's new saws. Maybe we should write and complain?
Cunner
I use the regular PC 743-K coupled with a Tru-Grip clamp rail for cutting the big sheets. It is one of the lightest full 7 1/4". The dust outlet works fine as I hook it to a small 6 gal. Shop-Vac when I use it.
I looked at the smaller trim saws. Both the PC and Makita. We have a Makita asembly plant in Flowery Branch, Ga. I know someone there that can get it at employees discount. I agree about the base. I felt the design could have been a little better.
My company was buying the new saw as they wanted me to build a new parts counter for our new show-room. I almost went with the smaller saw, but my old 50's circa Shop-Mate circular is nearing retirement. I decided to kill two birds with one stone. I don't regret it. The 7 1/4" is easy to control and light. The dust system works terrific. I originally got the right blade 347. Made sense on paper, but when I took it out of the box and lowered it on a sheet of ply; I boxed it back up and took it back for an exchange for a left blade. The feel was very ackward and just wasn't right for me.
If I were commercial and used a sheet cutter everyday, I wouldn't hesitate to go with an additional trim saw. But, under my personal circumstances the PC 743 preforms admirably. It' relatively quiet, light and powerful. An the dust is a minimum. Bring on the sheets... bring on the decks..
Good luck...
sarge..jt
I also have the PC 314 saw and there is a subtle difference that makes it totally different than the other saws - it's worm drive. That means you can go with a small motor that runs at a more consistent rpm because the the saw is "geared down" - like a manual transmission at a lower gear. With the motor running at a consistent rpm, it stays cooler that the non-worm drive models which means long motor life. Hence the PC 314 is designed to run all day long as a production machine. None of the others mentioned in the various posts has a continuous duty rating. The extra machining that goes into the 314 as well as the limited market keeps the price up. But those who own one will tell you it is a very hard working saw.
Porter Cable has another machine that is vintage and is a true industrial machine - the 548 Bayonet saw which is also worm drive - and the lowest price is around $310. But like its brother 314, it can run all day and is used in metal shops to cut 1/4" steel plate continuously.
If you are lucky, you might be able to find a used PC machine out there - I just found the PC 548 Bayonet Saw at Liberty Tools in Maine in excellent condition for $21! Look around, you'd be surprised whats out there.
When I worked construction the GC that I worked for used nothing but Porter Cable power tools,he swore by them,I got to use the PC #548 Bayonet saw that you mentioned & IMHO it was & still is one of the best Jig saws ever made..
ToolDoc
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