When comparing SKIL 5180-01 vs Makita 5377MG, the Slant community recommends SKIL 5180-01 for most people. In the question“What are the best circular saws?” SKIL 5180-01 is ranked 1st while Makita 5377MG is ranked 6th. The most important reason people chose SKIL 5180-01 is:
At just $50, this tool is capable of doing about 90% of the work more expensive circular saws can do. It has a small and lightweight body packed with all the essential features, such as top and lower guards, a dust blower, and a trigger lock.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Very good performance for the price
At just $50, this tool is capable of doing about 90% of the work more expensive circular saws can do. It has a small and lightweight body packed with all the essential features, such as top and lower guards, a dust blower, and a trigger lock.
Pro Perfect for deep and inclined cuts
This tool has an impressive maximum cutting depth of 2-3/8", which makes it perfect for deep cuts. It can also handle the bevel angles between 0 and 51 degrees. Thus, it's suitable for wide angle cutting.
Pro Well constructed
The body of this circular saw is made from rugged and tough plastics. The handles are coated with a soft rubber, and metals are used for the guard and base plate design. The tool is decently constructed and does not feel cheap.
Pro Power-on indicator
Once you connect this saw to the mains, the power-on indicator LED will alert you. A lot of expensive tools lack this feature.
Pro Beginner friendly
Even without any prior experience, it's easy to learn how to use this power tool.
Pro Easy and comfortable to work with
Due to its lightweight design (7.2 lbs), the tool is quite handy, even for working overheads. The handles are coated in rubber which adds to the comfort and minimizes the chances of accidental slips. Furthermore, the blade has an unobstructed line of sight, so you won't have to lean over to see the workpiece.
Pro Perfect for heavy-duty use
The 2300 W 4500 RPM worm gear driven motor makes this circular saw suitable for cutting hardwood, softwood, and even extra sturdy engineered wood.
Pro Excellent build quality
This power tool feels sturdy and rigid. It is built from high-quality magnesium and tough, rubber-coated plastics. The tool feels tight, such as if it was carved from a solid piece of material.
Pro No need to buy a blade
This tool already comes with a premium-quality 7-1/2" carbide tipped blade.
Pro Decent blade adjustments
You can adjust the height of the blade within the range of 2-3/8", and set the bevel angle to any value between 0 and 51.5 degrees. These give some extra versatility to the tool.
Cons
Con Unsafe trigger lock
The trigger lock is designed very poorly. It works much like a trigger lock on a gun. Once it’s released, there is nothing to stop the trigger from accidentally activating. After you finish a cut, you must disable the trigger manually.
Con Lacks electric brake
As this circular saw does not have an electric brake, the blade will keep spinning even after you release the trigger. The blade will continue turning until all its inertia is gone.
Con Only suitable for immobile use
Because of its massive weight (13.2 lbs), the tool is limited to stationary jobs only.
