Bosch CS20 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Direct Connect Review

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(More customer reviews)I recently purchased a house, and not being a person who has the money to hire someone else to do it for me, I've become my own handyman. Not to mention I was interested in building stuff for my house and garage, as well.

I've never owned a circular saw before. I had never even used one. I went into this completely new to it. I did extensive research prior to purchasing.

My research quickly narrowed it down to three saws - the Bosch CS20, the Milwaukee 6394-21, and Porter-Cable 325MAG. From everything I've read, these are all excellent choices and each have their benefits. The Porter-Cable had the quik-blade change system (no tools required) and adjustable dust port. The Milwaukee had the Quik-lok cord and tilt-lok handle. The Bosch has the quick-disconnect cord and rafter hook (so you can hang your saw from a rafter or something while working). To me, the best way to decide from here was to go to a store and handle all the saws.

After handling the saws, I found that I liked the Bosch best overall and here's why: it wasn't too heavy and felt well balanced. The depth and angle adjustments were EXTREMELY easy to use. I could change them with one hand. On the Porter-Cable, I had to sit it down or support it against my body to change them. Not very ergonomic if you ask me. And finally, the Milwaukee wouldn't even adjust;the handle was so tight, neither me or my friend could loosen it. I also felt that the Bosch had the best line of sight out of all of them. Also, there were detents on the angle adjustment AND the Bosch goes to 56 degrees. And finally, the features - I've read that the tilt-lok on the Milwaukee isn't that great. A friend of mine that owns this model agreed; he set it once and rarely messes with it. The Porter-Cable's features weren't all that important to me. The tool-less blade change would be great but didn't make up for the angle and depth adjustment controls. With the Bosch, the rafter-hook wasn't that big of a deal to me but the quick disconnect was. If I accidentally cut through my cord on the Bosch, all I have to do is go to Wal-Mart and pick up another extension cord and I'm back in business. The Milwaukee has a detachable cord but it's only sold by them meaning you'd still have to order it from them and probably pay an arm and a leg.

So I settled upon the Bosch and ordered it when I got back my tax return. I haven't used it very much yet but so far, it has been an excellent saw. It's without mention that it goes through 2x4s like a hot knife through butter. But I was also impressed with the way it handled 2x6s. The line of sight was also excellent. The saw is easy to handle and doesn't sound to be all that loud. The blade guard is smooth and easy to operate by hand. The trigger also has a nice tactile feedback. The saw as a whole is very easy to control.

To me, this saw is a 5-star in every way. I wish it had a quick blade change feature like the Porter-Cable but it's a minor complaint. Also, the saw, in my opinion, looks as good as it works.

I've always been drawn to Bosch products and this reminds me why - this saw is high quality for the price, looks good and works great. Everything I love about Bosch. And it's made in the good old U.S.A. Can't beat that.

To me, this is the best saw in this price range. Before anyone buys it, though, I recommend you go to your local home improvement store and handle the various circular saws and see which works best for you.

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Product Description:
The Bosch 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Direct Connect features a powerful high-output motor, and professional grade ball and roller bearing construction. The 5500-rpm saw can cut 2-7/16-inches at 90-degrees, 1-5/8-inches at 50-degrees, and 1-7/8-inches at 45-degrees. An aluminum footplate ensures a stable cutting surface for the lightweight 10.3-pound saw. Other features include soft-grip handles for added comfort, a built-in saw hook for convenient saw storage, wrench storage built into the handle, and a dust blower for greater dust control. The unit features a unique line-of-site cut visibility that provides a clear, unobstructed view of the cut line. The saw also has a 56-degree bevel capacity, with positive detents at 22.5 and 46 degrees. Finally, the innovative Universal Direct Connect cord management system prevents problems with snags, damaged cords, and repairs.
What's in the Box
15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Direct Connect, 24-tooth carbide tooth blade, wrench, and job site toolbag.

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