Portable Electric Tools: Rockwell Compact Circular Saw
Rockwell’s new Compact Circular Saw with a 4½ in. blade cuts 2x4s in a single pass, yet it is 50% lighter than most conventional 7¼ in. circular saws. Plus, its left-handed blade design provides great cut-line visibility.
Most homeowners aren’t afraid to use a drill/driver or sander, but a full-size circular saw can be rather intimidating. Not so with the Rockwell Compact Circular Saw, which weighs only 5 pounds. Its slim, inline grip design provides great comfort, balance and control. The compact saw also is easy to transport and maneuver, especially overhead.
“There’s no reason for most users and DIYers to lug around a bulky circ saw, when its use is required for only a small percentage of cuts,” said Pete Denley, Rockwell’s product manager. “The Rockwell Compact Circular Saw is a lighter alternative, minus the bulk. It’s a small saw with full cutting capacity.”
The saw’s 4½ in., thin-kerf blade is less than half the thickness of larger 7¼ in. circular saw blades. Since this smaller, thinner blade takes less effort and motor strain to cut through materials, the 5 amp, 3500 rpm saw matches the performance of full-size circular saws.
The compact circular saw’s lower blade guard is the same as those found on traditional circular saws for proven performance and dependability. There’s a depth-of-cut adjustment lever for quick, accurate blade height setups up to 2 in.
Bevel cutting capacity of the compact saw is 0-45°. A push-button arbor lock allows fast blade changes. The saw has a 3/8 in. arbor.
The saw’s maximum cutting depth at 90° is 1-11/16 in. and its bevel capacity at 45° is 1-1/8 in. In addition, the Compact Circular Saw has a dust extraction port and a 1¼ in. vac adapter for dust collection.
Rockwell Compact Circular Saw accessories include a 4½ in., 24-tooth, carbide-tipped blade, vac adapter, parallel guide, and hex key for blade changes. The saw also has a 10-ft. power cord. The compact saw is covered by Rockwell’s new 3 year warranty.
The Rockwell Compact Circular Saw model RK3441K is priced at $99.99.