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PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX 6-1/2-Inch Cordless Circular Saw Review
One of the most important additions to any person’s power tool kit should be a good circular saw. These can be used on professional construction sites as well as in the garage for those hobbyists looking to do a little woodworking. There are many options out there, though, so sifting through them could take some time and be a little frustrating.
If you have been looking through your options lately when it comes to a cordless circular saw, you probably ran across the Porter-Cable 20V Max 6-1/2″ cordless circular saw. Below we will take an in-depth look at this model and hope to help you decide if this is the right option for you. So without further ado, let’s take a look at what this model has in store for you.
PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX 6-1/2-Inch Cordless Circular Saw

This cordless circular saw is crafted with high-quality steel but does contain some plastic parts. It is powered by a lithium-ion battery and measures 15.2″ X 9.6″ X 8.4″. It is designed to be an aggressive cutting saw as it is outfitted with a high-performance motor. The carbide tooth blade gives a high-quality cutting capacity that is perfect for a wide range of cutting applications.
Who is this Product for?
Having this cordless circular saw could be a great addition to any woodworker’s toolkit. But we do think that it is best suited for a beginner. It is a budget-friendly option and is crafted to be durable, which means it brings with it a long life and elevated value. Not only this, but because of the limited cutting ability when it comes to dense material, it is definitely more suited for the novice woodworker.
When it comes to more intricate and denser materials, this circular saw will not perform as well as others which is why, though it could be a fun addition to a kit, we don’t suggest experienced or professional woodworkers invest in this saw.
What’s Included?
If you opt to purchase the Porter-Cable 20V Max 6-1/2″ cordless circular saw, you will receive the following in the box:
- Circular saw
- Manual
Overview of Features
The overall frame of this circular saw, even though crafted with steel, is still lightweight at just 7.75 pounds. This is partly because the unit is not a solid steel construction but utilizes plastic parts in some areas. The lightweight feel coupled with the overall design gives it an ergonomic and easy-to-use comfortability.
To further the comfortability of this unit, the designers of this circular saw opted to include a rubberized grip. This will not only insulate your hands from the vibrations of the tool but also lend itself to an elevated grip. Also, this handle is contoured, which only serves to elevate the ergonomics of the saw.
The compact design also has other benefits, including a bevel shoe pivot that gives the unit the ability to cut from 45° to 50°. That coupled with the small but mighty motor, which has no-load speed and delivers 4000 RPM worth of power, gives this saw more get up and go than one might think.
Of course, having such a powerful motor also means that you may experience an excessive amount of drain on the battery, which could limit the time you have available to work on your project.
Outfitted with, as we said, a carbide tooth blade, the circular saw has a max cutting depth capacity of 2 1/8″. Because of this level of cutting capacity, this unit is perfect for novice woodworkers or people looking for a high-value saw for small DIY projects at home.
Even though there is a pretty decent powered motor for such a small saw, you will find that there is little to no noise. This is great for those working on projects in houses or early in the morning that don’t wish to annoy or bother anybody. That being said, you have to keep in mind that there will be additional expenditures necessary when purchasing this model. The unit does not come with a battery, so you will have to purchase that separately and possibly a new blade.
How to Use It
One of the most important aspects of understanding how to use this tool is to have a firm grasp of how to change the blade. A dull blade can be a very dangerous thing and so ensuring that your blade is always ready to go can be a safety procedure that saves a lot of trouble in the end.
For a detailed example of how to change the blade on this circular saw, you should check out this video.
Alternatives
Perhaps the circular saw we have been taking a look at is not really the model for you. After all, the stock blade on it is not as reliable as other models. If this concerns you and you also want an option that is just a hair cheaper, then we have a great alternative for you.
The Makita XSS02Z 18V LXT lithium-ion cordless 6- 1/2″ circular saw is crafted to deliver 3700 RPM for quicker cutting. The blade has the ability to cut between 1/4 and 2″. This makes it versatile when it comes to cutting applications. It also is lightweight, even with a battery, which helps take care of that operator fatigue.
This saw is lighter in weight than the circular saw discussed above and comes with a more reliable stock blade, as we mentioned. Though this model does deliver less power than the Porter-Cable model, it still offers on-the-bevel cutting capacity and a lightweight, ergonomic feel, which will elevate its usability.
Final Thoughts
If you are a beginner or just simply looking for a lightweight, inexpensive circular saw to add to your kit, then the model that we’ve been looking at is a good option. It is crafted with high-quality components for the most part and gives you mobility when it comes to your project. The design of the saw is ergonomic, and because of this, you will definitely see a decrease in your fatigue.