55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Light and powerful with a sturdy base, April 13, 2005
This review is from: Porter-Cable 423MAG 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Blade Left (Tools & Home Improvement)
This is my 4th circular saw. I have a Skilsaw 77 worm drive, 2 Makitas, 1 blade on the right and one cordless blade on the left now this one.
One of the features I was most interested in was a solid base when locked. When I'm cutting sheet goods down to size I want the base to be stable. When I apply preasure to the saw I don't want the base to flex or distort while I'm trying to maintain a straight cut edge. Just a little bit of flex would reduce this to rough work only.
This Porter cable was the only one to do it outside a Festool (which is about $400). All of the other saws bases flexed while I put some downward pressure on them and rocked them a bit. Although the Bosch was pretty solid it blade is one the right.
The other feature I wanted was the blade on the left. I'm right handed and love the blade on the left. I like to be able to see the blade and in some instances I like to walk along with the saw and again, the blade on the left allows me to do that comfortably.
This Porter cable easily ride along a fence and is powerful and stable. The blade that comes with it is working pretty darn well, negligible tearout on plywood has been my experience.
The other thing I loved especially after some time using this is the fact that the saw is relatively light in hand and it's well balanced.
I like the worm drive Skil but it gets heavy using it all day. Just a few pounds even 1 or 2 really seem to make a difference.
Another thing which is small but welcome is that Porter Cable cast the distance from the edges of the base to the blade right on the base. Seems that's a measurement I don't retain between weeks of use. I got out my ruler to take down the measurement and behold, there it was already marked for me. 1 1/2" on the left and 5" on the right.
This has been a very enjoyable saw to use. My most enjoyed actually.
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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Light and Powerful, July 13, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Porter-Cable 423MAG 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Blade Left (Tools & Home Improvement)
I've been framing going on 25 years now and have used my share of saws through the years. I must admit that a Skil Model 77 was my saw of choice from the beginning and still is now, most of the time. The worm drive with the blade on the left is by far the most comfortable for me. When Porter -Cable started making circular saws that are more powerful and lighter than the trusty model 77 and with the blade on the left side ( like the worm drive)- I had to check one out. What I primarily use mine for is stacking up a bunch of plywood and ripping it down into small strips, very hard on *any* saw. This little saw powers through the plywood considerably better than my worm-drive. The little extra 'oomph' the 15 amp motor provides makes a big difference(the worm drive is 13 amps). Works fine for regular use as well(cutting 2x4's, etc.). I first had the Porter-Cable 743K and I just tortured that poor little saw and it lasted longer than it had any right to, so when it died I had to get another like it. Porter-Cable has certainly earned my respect with the last saw. The 423MAG has alot of power in a very light package.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
definite quality problems, August 24, 2005
This review is from: Porter-Cable 423MAG 15 Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Blade Left (Tools & Home Improvement)
This saw is not an appropriate replacement for the model 743K, in fact its not even in the same league. After just 2 days on the job the keyless blade change broke rendering this saw useless, and the dust nozzle is too small .... all it does is stay hopelessly clogged. It works fine if all you do is cut perfectly dry lumber, but what contractor is able to do that on a daily basis? The rip guide attachment in only good to around 8 inches where as the model 743K has a 12 plus inch rip capacity with the exact same rip guide. Take a professionals advice and buy a 743K if you can still find one. Porter Cable really goofed on this one!!!
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