20V MAX* LITHIUM 6-1/2" CIRCULAR SAW PCC660B
The new 20v Circular Saw from Porter Cable is light. Weighing in at only 6.5 pounds, it's an entire pound lighter than the Makita equivalent and 1.5 pounds lighter than the Milwaukee brand 6-1/2” saws in its category. Even when pairing the saw with the 20v Max Pack, the weight was extremely manageable. The tool is well balanced and with the overmolded rubber grips the tool feels comfortable to use.
This 6-1/2” circular saw fits perfectly into the light duty category for circular saws. With the 4.0ah battery, 50 degree bevel, and 4000 rpm saw speed this model delivers performance comparable to many of the heavy duty saws on the market while still keeping a very reasonable price point.
Durability- 4/5
During our testing, we had no issues with dependability or durability of the product. The fit and finish of the product is nice with no sharp edges. The build quality is nice and sturdy, which you would not typically expect from a lightweight tool. For light use this will be a great addition to a tool box. I do not think that this product is going to be your go-to if you are doing heavy ripping of 5/8th plywood all day or large quantities of form work (if this is what you are looking for, I would recommend going with the Milwaukee M18 Circular Saw, $339 kitted on Amazon). However, for trim or home use this is plenty of saw for a great price.
The Porter Cable has plastic parts on it but they don’t feel cheap or flimsy. As with most circular saws the depth and bevel set screws are plastic and the housing is plastic as well to cut weight. All of these parts feel like quality and will not leave you disappointed.
Power – 4/5
As mentioned before, the Porter Cable has a 20v battery, which can deliver more power and torque. The Porter Cable has a faster saw speed than the Makita with 4,000rpm, but the Milwaukee Tools saw leaves both of these saws behind with a 5,000rpm saw speed. That being said, I never felt the motor bog down nor feel like it was overheating when cutting 2x4 studs and plywood.
With the 4.0ah battery, which I highly recommend ($87.23 on Amazon), the PCC660B can work all day without the fear of losing power. I would like to see PC add an indicator light for remaining battery life to their 20v batteries like Bosch, MIlwaukee, and DeWalt are doing. When you have a battery that lasts all day, it’s convenient to know where you’re at near the end of the day.
Ergonomics – 5/5
The weight and grips make this a very comfortable saw to use. Being a cordless saw, it's important for this saw to not be a burden to carry around. The rubberized contoured handle cut down on vibration and fatigue and also reduced that numbing feeling you get after heavy use. Also, this saw is remarkably quiet. I could not find any information on the decibels of this saw to compare it to others, but I was surprised when I first fired it up, gritting my teeth waiting for some terrible screeching howl and instead hearing a soft whirl of the blade.
Value – 5/5
The Porter Cable 20v is one of the more affordable cordless circular saws on the market, with the bare tool only costing you around $60 ($59.98 on Amazon). It has good reviews from all major retailers. It is the value pick for a great light duty saw that you can add to your bag for typical use. If you’re one of the guys that runs a saw day in and day out, I would look to spend a few more dollars, but if you are like me and have the occasional project or random day on the job site that a circular saw is needed, this is the one to pick up.
Overall Score = 90%
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