Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More bang for your buck!, April 28, 2003
First and foremost, do your homework. If you are planning on making your living with a circular saw being one of your major tools, you might want to choose something a bit beefier. However, if you are a homeowner/occasional user, this saw is great! I would buy it a hundred times over.After a good deal of research, I settled on this brand and model. My needs are not that great. Brand-wise, Skilsaw has always been known for good, economical saws. Model-wise, the 5700 compares nicely to some of the big names, but at half (or more) of the price. My first project with the saw was trimming some 5/4 rough-cut oak to square it up. With a straight edge run length wise (over 10'), the 5700 sliced like butter! Now, keep in mind, that this was after I put in a different blade. Like the other reviews say, buy a different blade! The one in the box is, well... junk. I bought a Freud Diablo and it makes for easy work on whatever your project is. Here are some pro's and con's:
PRO:
+ The saw is light. It doesn't take much to operate it.
+ The boot seems to be flat and true.
+ The "Site-light" is a nice bonus if your shop isn't well lit.
+ The rubber grips feel great, plus add just enough grip for greater control.
+ Plenty of power. CON:
- The boot could be a bit bigger.
- The case is a touch whimpy, as it is plastic. (Though many of today's circ. saws are.)
... I can't think of any others! Hope this review helps you in your decision.
A woodworker
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Skill 5700 - Good Saw, needs adjustment, September 15, 2003
Skill has a known defect on this saw. The Depth adjustment lever is made of soft plastic, which strips out very easily. I used my 5700 for only a few days before the lever broke. Just call Skil and they will send you a replacement (re-engineered) lever which should do the job and last much longer. Overall, i like the saw very much. I used it to build a deck, cutting easily through pressure treated lumber (used to notch out 4x4 posts and trim 2x6's to size). I found that the saw is accurate, if you adujust the sights prior to usage. The instruction manual tells you how to do this, all you need is a screwdriver. The site light is very useful, and the soft grip handles make the saw easy to control, even through kickback. Replaced my 30 year old skil saw with this one.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quality Doesn't Have To Be Expensive, December 24, 2002
Skil has come up with a remarkable value in the 5700 model saw. I recently got one and I've used it for a number of projects, and it has some useful features. For instance, the site light. One curse many of us deal with is working in places where the light isn't the greatest. Having a tool that provides its own, and what's more, puts it where it is needed, is a big plus. Also, there is a clear plastic site line plate that you can align to match the kerf position for the blade you have installed. Speaking of blades, if I had one issue with the saw as it comes out of the box, it is the blade provided. the package I had provided an 18 tooth carbide and a plywood. Both cut, but their results are not the best in the world. I installed a Freud Diablo 40 tooth carbide and the results have been remarkable. I used this combination to trim some maple 1.5 inch butcher block countertop to length and the results were remarkable. Very little finish sanding was needed to complete the work. Am I going to say this saw will compare straight across with a pro-quality Porter Cable, or a Milwaukee, or such as these? No. But I would recommend this saw as a backup for a professional, and hands down to a homeowner. It is well build, well balanced, and a great value for the money.
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