Bosch 1656 8-1/4-Inch Circular Saw

by Bosch

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The Bosch 8-1/4-inch circular saw has a 15 amp ball bearing motor that offers a top no-load speed of 5,500 rpm, to handle all your toughest woodworking needs. This rugged, reliable saw is truly professional grade, with all the features you need to make short work of any project at the job site or in the garage.

The 1656 is designed with precision-cut helical steel gears and large, easy-to-reach adjustment levers that make fine-tuning a snap. It offers a 60-degree bevel capacity with a positive stop at 45 degrees for smooth angle cuts. The 1656 also boasts a spindle lock, built-in blade wrench storage, and a high-strength, alloy steel footplate (with a scale) that makes this model impressively durable -- and the end result is a product that will hold up for years.

This circular saw is double insulated and UL-listed, complying with OSHA regulations. It has a 5/8-inch arbor size, and a 2-15/16-inch depth of cut at 90 degrees; 1-5/8-inch at 50 degrees; and 1-3/4-inch at 45 degrees. It operates at 120 volts, and has an 8-foot cord. This saw comes with an 8-1/2-inch, 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade and a blade wrench.

What's in the box:
Bosch 8-1/2-inch circular saw, 24-tooth blade, blade wrench.

Product Description

Includes 8-1/4" Circular Saw - 1656-46, Blade Wrench - 2 610 351 201

Product Details

Product Manual [441kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 15.8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00004SUP6
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 1656B
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #372,518 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good machine, June 15, 2005

By 

Jennifer L. Hatridge "califjen" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bosch 1656 8-1/4-Inch Circular Saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

My husband is a timberframer, so he's always looking for good tools. He found that once He put a different blade on this tool and did some standard adjustments, this tool works very well. The table could be a little beefier, but on the whole he thinks it is a nice piece of equipment. The blade that it comes with is junk. He said he would stongly suggest you have a new blade installed before the first use. Enjoy!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Best 8-1/4" Circ. Saw I Could Find, September 24, 2007

By 

J. Shaw - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bosch 1656 8-1/4-Inch Circular Saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

I tried three different 8-1/4" circular saws. Both the Dewalt and Hitachi had, in my opinion, serious functional and ergonomic flaws. My hands actually hurt after using the Hitachi for only a couple of cuts. The Dewalt was designed so that you can't see the blade as you're cutting, and the base was far out of alignment with the blade.

The Bosch is far more comfortable to use. I can see the leading edge of the blade, and the guide marks at the front of the base are quite accurate, so "cutting to the line" is pretty easy. It has plenty of power, as it now comes with a 15-amp motor. The base isn't perfectly aligned with the blade, but it's much closer than either of the other two saws. I haven't had any trouble with the base flexing, even though it's not as stiff as the Hitachi's.

All in all, it's clearly the best of the three saws. I never tried the Makita.

If you're in the market for an 8-1/4" saw, I recommend that you start with either the Bosch or Makita.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Junk, June 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Bosch 1656 8-1/4-Inch Circular Saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

Bought this saw for the added depth in order to lap 4x6 timbers. The saw refused to track straight, so I spent the whole time fighting to keep it on line. Using a straight edge as a fence was worse 'cuz it drove the footplate into it, burning out the anti-kickback clutch. Only good thing was the strong motor. Do yourself a favor, look for something else...