- Compact Size for excellent maneuverability, portability and control
- Smaller, thinner blade for less tool strain, resulting in full-size circular saw cutting speed and performance
- Easy set depth-gauge lever for quick setup and cutting adjustments
- Quick and easy cut depth adjustments up to 2-Inch
- 4-1/2-inch blade, 5-Amp and weighs less than 5 pounds
Product Reviews
Score: 5/5 Source: Amazon.com
I really like this saw. Because of the smaller blade and light weight It’s much easier to handle than a traditional circular saw. It seems to be well made and there is plenty of power. A three year warranty seems quite bold for a ten year old company making tools in China selling at low prices, this tells me that they are serious about making high quality tools. (To get a three year warranty you must register your saw, otherwise, it’s a two year warranty.)
Yes, this is a ten year old company. It’s not the same legendary Rockwell from Jackson, Tennessee which produced fine professional tools in the 60s and 70s. This new company purchased the Rockwell name and is manufacturing a new line of tools in China. I own several of the original, older Rockwells (or Porter Cable) and, to me, it looks like the new Rockwell has done a good job capturing the style and quality of their progenitor. But it is hard to evaluate things like brushes and bearings and switches in a new product. I wonder if I’ll still be using this saw in thirty years along side the older tools which last a lifetime.
I had good results cutting 1/2 inch and 1 inch plywood, and 1-1/2 inch oak (two pieces of 3/4 oak flooring cut together) was no problem. The dust collection port works well but the supplied adapter didn’t really fit any of the various hoses and adapters I have around. I ended up using duct tape. One thing I noticed when using a long, straight-edge cutting guide on plywood, the cuts weren’t quite as true as they are when I cut with my 7-1/2 inch circular saw. The long cuts with the small saw were acceptable but not excellent. I find this a fair tradeoff for the ease of handling and versatility the little saw provides. I expect the small, thin carbide tipped blade will wear out much sooner than we are used to with the large saws. But this, too, is a fair tradeoff and the blades are easy to find for ten dollars. It’s amusing Rockwell calls this a “kit” when all that’s included is a small edge guide and vacuum attachment. Thankfully, they didn’t throw in one of those cheesy, useless bags that get instantly tossed. Instead, they include a Velcro cord wrap that is actually useful.
I’ve read several negative reviews about the saw on various websites mainly complaining about the wobbly shoe assembly (more on this later). Yes, this is definitely a flaw in this model. I guess it’s understandable. Because of the immense pressure to produce high quality at low prices, something has to give way and designers shave assembly costs wherever they can. Where else have they cut that I can’t see? It is sad though because I would have paid thirty dollars more for a bit more quality, but perhaps most people don’t think like that.
I was originally going to rate it 4 stars because of the shoe assembly looseness but I decided on 5 stars for the following reasons.
1. The three year warranty is quite good. Plus, Rockwell has a 30 day Satisfaction Guarantee.
2. There is nothing like it on the market except for battery models (the older Porter Cable trim saw is no longer being produced, and the Makita 5-1/2 inch saw costs over twice as much).
3. The power and quality are very good for a saw at this price.
4. I was able to modify the shoe assembly so the saw works now like a 5 star model.
The flaw in the shoe assembly is in the loose fitting attachment points. There is a pin at the front and a rivet at the back. Both are quite sloppy so the shoe wiggles a little when cutting. I replaced both attachments with screws and the shoe is now very solid so cutting has become a pleasure. I have details about this modification on my blog, if you would like to read more, search for “DIY: Shoe Modification for Rockwell Compact Circular Saw”.
Score: 5/5 Source: Amazon.com
It has a nice /precise /quality rip fence and angle cut feature and the knobs are quick and secure to set any angle cut. I particularly love the blade being on the left side of the drive. This dramatically increased my vision over the cut so it’s safer, more accurate, user friendly and better results.
My hands are average size (size 8-9 glove size Large) and I find the grip size /surface & design easy to hold on to and user friendly. For small hands this might be a challenge. The trigger pull is less complicated that other saws this size with makes this model Rockwell easier to operate and control while cutting than all other saws this size…in my opinion.
The blade turns as a slower RPM than my full size Dewalt, but if you slow down your feed this saw handles anything I throw it’s way giving a clean crisp cut and does not bog down. For big tough jobs simply use a bigger saw. The blade I found Best for all around cuts in wood /metal /longevity was a Freud D0436X Diablo 4-3/8-Inch 36 Tooth ATB Cordless Trim Saw Blade that I’ve used with no issues at all.
I am not easy to impress, but this compact medium duty Rockwell has earned its way into my inner circle of tools. I am Very pleased with the quality features, portability and durability of this handy saw. Recommend this without reservations and consider the hundred dollar cost a fair value.
—-UPDATE—-
Have used this Rockwell saw for several months now and and it’s still rock solid. No issues at all. The adjustable guide fence is real handy,…quick and secure adjustment lever,…easy to make quick /secure fence adjustments.
I’ve also used this saw in unconventional situations where I had to remove material from wood in such a way I was able to turn the saw over, expose the blade and carefully angle the wood into the blade to free-hand & create a router type effect. It was the only way to finish a particular cut and this saw has the flexibility to help. Never know what you’ll run into during a project and glad this saw has extra flexibility to adapt. Continues to earn my unqualified recommendation!
Score: 5/5 Source: Amazon.com
Score: 5/5 Source: Amazon.com
Score: 2/5 Source: Amazon.com
Score: 4/5 Source: Amazon.com
If it came with the washers to adapt other blades, or had a standard arbor size so I didnt have to adapt it, I would have given it an additional star. If the shoe quality/design was better so as to lessen the slop, I would also give it another star. Lastly, if the on/off button was easier to grasp, this would be the perfect portable saw….Hope Rockwell will take into consideration these comments. I’m giving it only 3 stars of 5 because I really don’t think it is a 2 star product, but those are 3 items to improve.
I use to travel to china and test power tools for Portacable, Sears, Makita, etc. I just notice they came out with a concrete tile blade, so I will up my rating, but wish they kept to a standard arbor hole size.
Test Engineer
Score: 5/5 Source: Amazon.com
Score: 1/5 Source: Amazon.com
Score: 4/5 Source: Amazon.com
Quieter and lighter than a 7.5 circular saw and easy to handle with one hand.
For renovating and detail work it’s the cat’s meow.
I disabled the aggravating trigger lock since I’m capable of handling the tool safely without it. Still, I may fashion some sort of trigger guard which is what it should have been equipped with in the first place.
Score: 5/5 Source: Amazon.com