What is a good power saw for home use?

Question

We just bought a house and plan to take on several remodeling projects. Our first one is the floor. After ripping out carpet and particle board, we have the problem of a gap that needs shoemolding around the walls. Also, the particle board (and some plywood) had to be left in some places due to damage in the wood underneath. The transition between the two floors needs to be evened out to make the particle board a straight edge. I anticipate shelving, cutting molding, cutting floorboards to size, making bookshelves, making a mantle, etc. What is a good investment in a saw? What is a good all purpose saw that can do these jobs? What is a good company to consider? I'd like a quality one that will hold up through the years.

Answer 1

A circular saw. I like Milwaukee,or De Walt. A compound miter saw would also be handy.

Answer 2

It sounds like you have lots of ideas. Anyone with good common sense should be able to handle these tasks. I'd like you to consider the savings of doing these things yourself. Keep these savings in mind when you go tool shopping. For a homeowner, these tools should last a lifetime, so the savings will also. Not to mention the fun and satisfaction and convenience of doing it yourself. Stick with the top brands. I'm a carpenter with 19 years experience. Stay away from Craftsman, Ryobi, And the cheaper Skil products. Bosch, Dewalt, and Makita are great. Milwaukee is great for drills and sawzalls. Makita makes great drills and portable tablesaws. Dewalt and Bosch for mitersaws and jigsaws. They make great tablesaws too but the Makita is more durable with less features but also a couple hundred dollars less! Dewalt or Milwaukee for circular saws. With all the trim work you are talking about I would suggest an air compressor and brad gun and finish gun. Of coarse you could easily spend $2000 on all these but then again, I would charge you alot more than $2000 to do the things you've mentioned.

Answer 3

Yo may need at least 3 types of saw.

1. A miter saw for mldings, shelving, cross-cutting.

I us this one, best in its class

http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LS1013FL-10...

2 A jig saw, for long cuts, and dificult cuts

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1591EVSK-Bar...

3 skill saw for rough carpentry...ripping plywood sheets etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Skil-SHD77M-4-inch...

I have been doing carpentry for years and this is waht I mostly use for finish and rough carpentry projects...good quality tools