So I was planning to build a dog house this weekend, went to Lowes and picked up the materials and a circular saw. After a lot of research on using the tool and it's features (I am new to the power saw, my grandfather made me use the hand saw as teen), I decided to go with cheap saw, expensive blade. I got the Skil base model (5801) for $38. After getting home, I looked it over and notice that the bevel measured 1/16" above 0. Pushing down on the shoe, I found that it was fully down, so later I pressed down on the behind the wing nut and it moves down to 0. The shoe connection is loose, giving a slight inaccuracy of measurement if I were to make a bevel cut. Now, even though I am only using this for my own creations, I still want an accurate tool which I paid for.I am going to return it tomorrow, but I need to choose another saw. I don't really want to spend more than $70...which is the bare minimum of their selection. There is the Craftsman with the steel or magneisum shoe ($50 and $70, respectively), and the Skil with the laser. Both models of the Skil seems to have the same shoe, and I would be a bit worried to get the same shoe and pay an extra $30 for a laser. Which of those choices would be the best use of my money? I can always upgrade to more bells and whistles, but I want to get used to using the tool first. Also, is it possible to upgrade/replace only the shoe of these tools? It is only a couple bolts to remove it, and it looks super easy to mod, but there is absolutely nothing online about this. Jigs to your hearts content, but no one has attempted to make the shoe replaceable? via /r/DIY https://ift.tt/368ey86
