If you choose a circular saw, you have to decide: corded or cordless. If all things were equal, it would be easy. Nobody likes string. The problem is that wire saws are more powerful. I have both, but if I could only have one it would be the cord saw. That said, I probably use my cordless one more for the ease of taking it anywhere. If you go cordless, change your blades frequently. It takes a lot of power to cut with a blunt blade, and a cordless circular saw doesn’t have that much power to spare. Making sure you have a sharp blade will not only make it easier to cut, but will also make your battery last longer. On the contrary it is always better to buy an inexpensive saw and a high quality blade.
If you use cordless, your next decision will be brushless vs. brushed motor. A jigsaw with a brushless motor is superior in almost every way. The performance is better, it’s more efficient, and it’s more durable. A brushless jigsaw uses electronic commutation, which is a fancy way of saying that it uses the interaction of magnetic fields to generate torque. That means less friction, less heat and by extension, better battery life.
The downside of brushless motors is the very high price. There’s also the possibility that, if you’re only using it to do a few cuts once or twice a week, you don’t need to worry about the increased friction and heat of a brushed motor. Brushed circular saws are undoubtedly cheaper and also easier to repair. If you don’t have a big job in mind, they’re good enough for light DIY use.
Also pick up a speed square ($20) to make sure you’re making straight cuts on dimensional lumber.
Bonus Pick: Shop Vac
milwaukee
M18 Fuel 6 gal. Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum
If you have these two things, the next thing I would recommend is to do a shop vac. Nobody likes cleaning, and nothing cleans up faster or better than a shop vac. The ability to vacuum up liquids will transform your workspace. I have a cheap shop vac from Harbor Freight that works, but I wish I had the more powerful shop vac above.
Which brand should I buy?
I would love to tell you that there is universal compatibility between brands and that batteries from every brand work with every other device. The world is as it should be. The world we live in? Well, you have to choose a brand, because batteries are not interchangeable. (There are adapters out there, mostly cheap Chinese off-brand adapters. I have a device I use with an adapted battery, but it’s not something I recommend.)
Major brands like Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, and Ryobi all make some of the same stuff, and most of them are pretty good. The selection among brands really depends on the compatible batteries. Unlike the average savvy customer, I have tools from both Milwaukee and DeWalt, and have had no problems with either. (Be careful purchasing appliances from Amazon, especially from Milwaukee, as there are no authorized Milwaukee appliance retailers on Amazon, and the company does not warrant or support appliances purchased from resellers.)
Now that you have the right power tools to tackle most home repairs and small projects, you can sit back, relax, and contemplate the more mysterious aspects of home repair, like why a two-by-four is no longer 2 inches by 4 inches, how to cut a crown molding corner, and why, sometimes, it’s probably better for you to get the help of a professional to handle complex tasks.
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