Milwaukee 6394-21 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw

by Milwaukee

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The latest addition to Milwaukee's Circular Saw line features a patented adjustable main handle that provides users with maximum control and comfort. The handle position can be moved for the best ergonomic grip. Both front and rear handles have cushioned grips. A Quik-Lok cord with a positive lock system makes field replacement of the cord set easy and fast. A small button on the saw ensures positive lock. The power assisted brake stops the blade in seconds to repetitive cuts. At 10.6-pounds and featuring a powerful Milwaukee built 15-amp motor, this saw provides the highest horsepower to weight ratio available in a 7 1/4-inch saw. An aircraft aluminum shoe resists bending. Easy to reach depth and bevel adjustment knobs allow bevels to 50 degrees.

Product Features:

• Exclusive tilt-lok main handle adjusts to the work for most comfortable work position
• Patented power assisted electric brake stops blade in seconds
• Quik-Lok cord makes job site replacement fast and easy
• Powerful 3.0-HP, 15-amp motor

Product Description

Milwaukee's circular saw features a patented adjustable main handle that provides users with maximum control and comfort. The handle position can be moved for the best ergonomic grip. Both front and rear handles have cushioned grips. The blade diameter is 7 1/4 inches, and it has 15 amps and a 50 degree bevel capacity. It has a right-side blade location, an electric brake, and a wrench and a case included.

Product Details

Product Manual [1.27mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 18.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• 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: B00005Q7AJ
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 6394-21
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,910 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #44 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Saws > Circular Saws

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good saw: could use a slight improvement in the base, February 20, 2006

By 

C. Wennet "cwennet" (NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Milwaukee 6394-21 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

Overall I am very happy with this saw. I bought it to replace a $50 Skil that I purchased years ago. The Skil still worked fairly well and survived some good abuse, but wasn't a real powerhouse. I've used this Milwaukee several times already and here is what I've noticed:

Pros:
+ Nice power
+ Very nice and easy adjustments for depth and bevel: This uses levers vs. a butterfly nut on my old Skil.
+ Tilt lock is a nice feature. Though many people who have this saw never use it, I have actually used it a couple of times: different adjustments when cutting lumber vs. when trimming doors.
+ Guide visibility is excellent.
+ Base is about 1/8" thick solid aluminum, nice and flat, and solid feeling.

Cons:
- The base is flat all around. My old skill, for example, had a lip on the back and front side. If you're stuck using a somewhat flat, and inadequately clamped guide (like a straight thin piece of plywood that you trust), that may slightly lift in the middle, you run the risk of the base plate riding under your guide. As a result, at some point I may modify the base by screwing on an additional 1/8" lip on the inside top.
- Case: Very minor complaint: it would be nice if it included some blade storage. I have some extra blades, including a cheap plywood blade and an expensive finishing blade. I would love to be able to store them in the case with the saw. EDIT in 8/2007: The case does in fact come with blade storage in the main compartment.

Overall, I have no regrets and recommend this saw. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 in part because of the base plate, but also because I can't recommend it above all other circular saws. Both the Journal of Light Construction and Fine Homebuilding had circular saw reviews. This particular saw, a specific Bosch, and a specific Porter Cable, were in the top three for both reviews. Though in the top three of both, This Milwaukee made it into the top 2 favorites/recommended in one article but not the other. Before purchasing this saw, I would recommend finding and reading those articles to decide which of the three would better meet your needs or preferences.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BBBZZZZZZZZZZTTT-ZZZEEEP!....AAAAAAHHH!......, November 7, 2002

By 

E. S. Dummit (Chappaqua, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Milwaukee 6394-21 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

As a home improvement and hobby sort of wood worker looking for top value in essential tools, I did my homework very carefully before choosing this one.

Great machine, very comfortable to use with the light weight and smooth power, ergonomically very adjustable, with a brake that stops it cold when you are done (an essential safety feature for someone who nearly sawed his fingers off in his impetuous youth). Great reputation of the company for dependability and quality, so I expect it to last to be handed down to my son or daughter.

42 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SMOOTH WITH POWER TO SPARE, July 8, 2002

By 

TOOL CRITIC "FUDICUS" (carlsbad, ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milwaukee 6394-21 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

This saw is a real joy to use in all aspects. The power is unmatched in the field,it's light weight allows for easy operation and handling.The flexibility of the qucik-loc handle system is very nice-even though you will probably settle on your favorite position it's nice to know you can change it,EXAMPLE:When cutting down on a vertical changing to a flatter wormdrive position aids in cutting leverage.This saw looks,feels and operates Milwaukee tough AND is comfortable to use.The only minor complaint is the cutting\rip fence.First you have to pay extra money for it, and this fence does not cut ultra close rips the way i would like-quauter inch is as little as this fence wants to cut-#1 it does not slide onto saw far enough in to allow a 1\8 in. shave #2 when the fence is in all the way it hits the blade guard#3when cutting thin,say 1\4 material the fence sits lower than the base plate allowing the material to slide between the two.WORK ON THIS MILWAUKEE, IT'S AN EASY FIX-BUILD A BETTER FENCE MADE FOR THIS SAW.
OVERALL:
TOP RATE POWER

XLNT BALANCE-ERGONOMICS-FIT AND FINISH

THE BRAKE AND QUICK-LOC CORD IS VERY NICE TO HAVE

SMOOTH CUTTING WITH GREAT CONTROL

CUTTING VISABILITY IS VERY GOOD

THE FENCE SHORTCOMING IS FAIRLY MINOR BUT COULD BE IMPROVED UPON

CONCLUSION: BUY THIS SAW,IT'S NOT THE CHEAPEST BUT IT MAY BE THE BEST IN IT'S CLASS-I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BETTER FENCE THAT MAY EVEN BE INCLUDED WITH THE SAW SINCE THIS IS NOT A [inexpensive] UNIT.BE A LITTLE GENEROUS MILWAUKEE AND THE CUSTOMER WILL RETURN THIS GENEROSITY WITH MARKET SHARE.