The Best Way to Safely Cut Small Parts

Here’s the How To:

Recently I needed to cut some small furniture legs on my miter saw. With their irregular shape, they were impossible to hold safely, so I attached each leg to a scrap 2×2 with a dowel screw. These assemblies stayed straight and kept my hands far from the blade. — David Alexander

Learn more about using a miter saw safely. 

2018 Best in DIY - Cordless Circular Saws

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Ryobi P507

6-1/2" $69 Weighing only 6.5 lbs., this is one of the lightest cordless circular saws we tried. It was easy to control with either hand and easy to handle on a vertical surface. Its shoe isn't very large, but that’s what you’d expect from such a super-compact saw. *Editors' Choice 2018 — Best Value NOTE: Prices shown for cordless circular saws do not include battery and charger.

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Milwaukee 2731-20

7-1/4" $199 This saw has all the features we like plus the extra capacity of a 7-1/4-in. blade. And if you're used to a corded saw, the blade is on the usual side—the right. * Editors' Choice 2018 — Best Overall

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DeWalt DCS575B

7-1/4" $149 This saw has plenty of power. Equipped with a 60/20V battery, it also has a long run-time—which you may need, because this saw will perform well on virtually any job. The blade is on the right, the same side as on most corded saws, so you'll feel right at home when you use it. *Editors' Choice 2018 — Best Overall

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Makita XSR01

7-1/4" $199 This saw differs from the others in several ways: It takes two 18V batteries and delivers awesome power and exceptional run-time. Of all the cordless circular saws we tried, it performed most like a corded saw. It’s also large and heavy. It's a great tool for big, tough jobs, but maybe not your best choice for standard duty. * Editors' Choice 2018 — In a class by itself

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DeWalt DC390B

6-1/2" $99 This saw is light in weight, so it's easy to maneuver, and it has a relatively large shoe. The battery we used has a short run-time, though, and the motor is on the slow side.

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Bosch CC180B

6-1/2" $119 Featuring a heavy-duty aluminum shoe and a dust blower, this saw performs well in cutting 3/4-in. plywood and miters. You have to remove the battery to check its charge, however.

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Porter-Cable PCC660B

6-1/2" $60 This was the least expensive saw we tried, but it still did a decent job of cutting through 2x4s and ripping plywood. We did have trouble installing the blade, though.

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Milwaukee 2630-20

6-1/2" $120 Costing just under $100, this saw has a larger shoe than you'll find on less-expensive models, which is great for better balance. Its motor spins relatively slowly, however.

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Rigid R8652, R8653

7-1/4" $119 The 52 has a brush motor and weighs 1-1/2 lbs. more than the brushless 53. These are the least expensive 7-1/4-in. saws that have a fuel gauge, a work light and an easy-to-read depth scale. Both cordless circular saw models have plenty of power. Their two handles are offset, which can feel awkward if you're a lefty.

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Milwaukee 2730-20

6-1/2" $170 This cordless circular saw is 1 lb. lighter than 7-1/4-in. cordless circular saws with the same power and features—brushless motor, fuel gauge, work light and nice depth scale. It's the best 6-1/2-in. model we tested. The blade is on the left side, like on all the other 6-1/2-in. saws.

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DeWalt DCS391B

6-1/2" $119 Equipped with a fast motor and an extra-large 20V battery, this saw cruised through our 3/4-in. plywood and 45-degree miter tests. The cordless saw's battery has an extra-long run-time, but the larger size makes the tool heavier than most other 6-1/2-in. saws.

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Milwaukee 2530-20

5-3/8" $149 This lightweight, compact saw is great for 3/4-in. material, but it packs only 12 volts and tends to bog down in thicker stuff. You can't beat this cordless circular saw for one-handed sawing in awkward places, however. Its run-time is short, but this saw has a nice set of features: a brushless motor, a fuel gauge and a work light.

The Cordless Circular Saws Test

We crosscut a 2x8 and ripped 3/4-in. fir plywood, tracking cutting speed and run-time for each saw. For the toughest test, we tilted the blade of each saw to 45 degrees and crosscut bevels on 2x10s.