Skil 14A 7-1/4 In. Corded Circular Saw

Why I reached for this saw

I keep a few circular saws on hand: one heavy-duty workhorse for framing days, and a lighter, simpler unit for quick cuts, sheet goods, and homeowner projects. The Skil circular saw lands squarely in that second category. It’s a 14‑amp, 7‑1/4‑inch corded saw that’s easy to live with, light in the hand at about 7.2 pounds, and straightforward to set up. After several weeks of ripping plywood, breaking down OSB, and crosscutting 2x lumber, I have a clear sense of where it shines—and where it asks you to adjust your expectations.

Setup and first cuts

Out of the box, the saw ships with a 20‑tooth carbide blade already installed. That tooth count is fine for general construction cuts and ripping 2x stock, but a little coarse on veneered plywood. The spindle lock and the on‑tool wrench make swapping blades quick; I switched to a 40‑tooth finish blade for cabinet-grade plywood and back to a 24‑tooth for framing cuts without hunting for tools.

The shoe arrived square to the blade. A quick check with a digital square put 90° dead on and 45° within about half a degree, which is more than acceptable on a budget‑minded saw. The rear lever depth adjustment is positive and clear, and the graduated scale is close enough to trust for rough settings. I still set final depth by sighting to the tooth and locking it so the blade extends roughly a tooth height below the work.

Power and cutting performance

With a 14‑amp motor rated up to 5,300 RPM, this saw has enough muscle for typical homeowner and light jobsite tasks. Ripping 3/4‑inch plywood and crosscutting SPF 2x4s and 2x6s felt confident and clean. The motor tone stays even if you keep a sensible feed rate and let the blade do the work.

Push it into heavier asks and you’ll find the limits. Gang‑cutting multiple 2x planks or forcing a long rip in wet framing lumber will make the motor bog and encourages the breaker on a shared 15‑amp circuit to complain. When I slowed my feed slightly and worked on a dedicated circuit, the saw stayed happy. In other words: it can do the big jobs, but it wants you to pace them.

At 90°, the saw’s 2‑7/16‑inch max cutting depth covers almost everything I need in dimensional lumber. At 45°, it reaches 1‑15/16 inches, which fully severs a 2x on the bevel. I made repeated 45° cuts for fascia returns, and the saw tracked without chatter so long as I let the blade settle into the cut before advancing.

Bevels, depth, and cut accuracy

The bevel range runs to 51° with a positive stop at 45°. The stop clicked in positively and stayed put during repetitive miters. The bevel lock held tight, and I didn’t see drift over a string of cuts. For trim‑adjacent accuracy, I verified the shoe-to-blade relationship a few times through the day; things stayed consistent, which is often not the case on lightweight saws.

I appreciate the two‑point line‑of‑sight windows on the guard. They corresponded closely with the blade’s left and right kerf edges once I accounted for the particular blade width. If you frequently change blade types, re‑marking your shoe with a sharp pencil line for your favorite blade helps.

Visibility and dust

There’s no dust port, but the integrated dust blower does a good job of clearing the cut line in most orientations. On long rips outdoors, it pushed sawdust out of the way well enough that I didn’t reach for compressed air. Indoors or when working off a sheet on the floor, you’ll still create a mess—this is a blower, not an extractor. I paired the saw with sacrificial foam sheets and worked on sawhorses to keep cleanup manageable.

The anti‑snag lower guard retracts reliably at the start of cuts and on shallow plunge starts. As with most sidewinders, extremely thin offcuts can cause a momentary hesitation if the guard lips catch a corner; starting the cut with the shoe fully supported and the work well‑clamped mitigates that.

Ergonomics and handling

At 7.2 pounds, this saw is easy to carry up ladders or swing for overhead cuts when breaking down sheets. The contoured main handle is comfortable, and the guarded trigger with a push‑button safety feels natural once you’ve built the muscle memory. Vibration is modest; I could make extended rips without numbness. There’s no electric brake, so the blade does spin down for a beat after you release the trigger—something to be mindful of when setting the saw down.

The 6‑foot cord is serviceable but on the short side if you’re moving around a big deck or a long driveway setup. Expect to run an extension cord; a 12‑ or 14‑gauge cord keeps voltage drop and motor heat in check.

Blade changes and maintenance

The spindle lock is large and positive, and with the wrench clipped into the handle, blade swaps take under a minute. I prefer this over tool‑less systems that can get finicky with age. The guard’s pivot point remained smooth and free of buildup after a full day’s work; a quick blow‑off with compressed air kept the blower port clear. It’s UL listed and feels safe and predictable in operation, provided you respect the usual circular saw best practices.

What could be better

• More headroom under load. A 15‑amp motor will simply cut faster in thick or wet stock. If your day is full of production framing or repetitive gang cuts, you’ll appreciate a more powerful saw.
• Dust collection. The blower helps with visibility, but there’s no option to hook up a vac. In a small shop or a finished space, that’s a compromise.
• Cord length. Six feet goes by quickly. Plan for a quality extension cord.
• Finish blade included. The supplied 20‑tooth blade is durable but rough on plywood. Budget for a 40‑ or 60‑tooth blade if clean edges matter in your work.

Who it’s for

This Skil is a great fit for homeowners, DIYers, and pros who want a lighter, grab‑and‑go saw for punch lists and general carpentry. It’s capable of ripping sheet goods, trimming deck boards, cutting stair treads, and handling routine framing tasks. It’s less ideal as a crew’s primary production saw on a framing site or for anyone who routinely rips dense hardwoods or stacks multiple boards to save time.

If you pair it with the right blades—a 24‑tooth framing blade for fast cuts in 2x material and a 40‑plus‑tooth finish blade for plywood—you’ll get clean results. The 51° bevel capacity is handy for odd‑angle returns, and the positive 45° stop speeds up common bevel work.

Practical tips from use

• Use a dedicated 15‑amp (or 20‑amp) circuit and a heavy‑gauge extension cord to minimize breaker trips during demanding cuts.
• Set blade depth so teeth barely clear the work; it improves cut quality and safety.
• Mark your shoe for the kerf of your favorite blade to make the two‑point sight windows even more accurate.
• Wax the shoe a couple of times a season; it reduces friction and helps the saw track straight without extra effort.

Recommendation

I recommend the Skil circular saw for anyone who needs a dependable, lightweight, and budget‑friendly corded saw for everyday cuts in lumber and sheet goods. It’s easy to set up, accurate enough for trim‑adjacent carpentry with a good blade, and thoughtfully equipped with a spindle lock, on‑board wrench, and a dust blower that legitimately helps you see the line. The 14‑amp motor won’t win races through wet 2x stacks, and the lack of dust extraction and short cord are trade‑offs. But for homeowners and pros who value simplicity, solid performance, and low fatigue over brute force, it’s a smart, workmanlike choice that earns a spot on the shelf.