Skil Brushless 20V 4-1/2 in. compact circular saw kit

A compact circular saw that actually pulls its weight

I’ve been looking for a genuinely one‑handable circular saw that doesn’t feel like a toy. The Skil compact 4-1/2-in circular saw hits that brief better than most. It’s built around a 20V brushless motor, a left-side 4-1/2-in blade, and a package that weighs about 4 pounds bare. In practice, that combination made it a go-to for overhead cuts, tight spaces, and quick punch-list work where dragging a cord or hauling a full-size saw is more hassle than help.

Build, balance, and visibility

The first thing I noticed was the balance. With the 2.0Ah battery on board, the saw still feels compact and well centered, and the handle is molded in a way that allows a secure one-handed grip without twisting your wrist to see the line. The blade on the left side gives a clear sight line for right-handed users; I could track a cut line without leaning over the shoe.

The shoe is flat and adequately stiff for a compact class. Depth adjustment is a simple lever and sliding shoe—quick to set and it stayed put. The bevel goes to 45° with a positive stop; the scale is small (as expected on a compact saw), so I relied on a speed square when an exact angle mattered.

Skil added little conveniences that add up: an onboard hex key for blade changes, a spindle lock, and an electric brake that stops the blade quickly. The LED light is surprisingly effective; the after-glow is handy when you release the trigger mid-cut to check your line. The dust port isn’t just a hole—paired with the included vacuum adaptor, it actually directs chips forward and out of your sight line. Without a vac, it still helps keep the kerf visible.

Cutting performance and limits

This saw is happiest doing what compact saws should do: crosscutting 2x, trimming sheet goods, notching, and making controlled plunge cuts. At up to 6,000 RPM, the brushless motor spins a small blade fast, and the included 24T carbide blade handled framing lumber cleanly in my tests. Crosscutting nominal 2x at 90° is a true single pass with this saw’s 1-1/2 in depth capacity. That said, the capacity is tight. In real-world lumber with a slight crown or if your shoe isn’t perfectly set, you can be left with a thin uncut hinge. A second pass or a quick flex finished those cuts for me, but it’s worth noting.

At 45°, you get 1 in of depth, which is enough for single-thickness boards and sheet goods but not beveling through 2x in one pass. That’s typical for this class. If beveling 2x is routine for you, you’ll want a larger saw.

Where I could push it too far was extended cuts in dense stock. Ripping thick hardwood or composite decking, or trying to muscle through material that’s beyond the spec, will bog the motor and eventually trigger thermal protection. I purposely tried a long rip in a dense hardwood offcut to find the limit; the saw slowed, I backed off to let it cool, and it recovered fine. In normal construction lumber and plywood, I never tripped a thermal cutoff. The takeaway is simple: this is a precision compact saw, not a framing workhorse.

Feed rate matters with a small blade. Let the motor get to full speed, maintain a steady, moderate feed, and keep the blade sharp. Swapping to a finer-tooth blade made a noticeable difference in plywood tear-out. With the 24T, crosscuts in 2x are fast. For clean edges in veneered ply, a 40T+ thin-kerf blade is the right move.

Ergonomics in tight spaces

The compact design makes jobs like trimming shims flush to jambs, cutting access holes, or working between joists feel controlled and safe. One-handed operation is realistic here, thanks to the weight and the trigger/safety layout. I still prefer two hands when I can, but overhead or ladder work is where this saw shines. The left-blade configuration and LED meant I could keep my eyes on the line even when contorted under a sink or inside a cabinet.

Vibration is modest and the brushless motor’s tone is more of a high-pitched whir than a growl. Chip ejection is forward-biased, which is good for visibility; a vac hose will catch most debris if you’re working indoors.

Battery, charging, and runtime

The kit’s 2.0Ah battery is a sensible match for the tool’s mission: quick, controlled cuts rather than all-day ripping. On a single charge I knocked out a handful of 2x crosscuts, trimmed a couple of 4x4 post tops in multiple passes, and cut two register openings in 1/2-in OSB with power to spare. If you’re batching a lot of cuts, a second battery is the best upgrade you can make.

Skil’s PWRJUMP charger is genuinely useful—going from empty to roughly 25% in about five minutes is perfect for “one more cut” moments. The battery’s USB charging port is a nice bonus on a small jobsite or in the truck; it kept my phone alive during a long punch-list afternoon. Cold-weather users will appreciate the included battery jacket; it helps keep the pack warm and consistent in the cold.

Accuracy and control

For a compact circular saw, the cut accuracy is solid. The shoe is square to the blade from the factory and the depth scale is close enough for rough work, though I set depth by measurement for anything fussy. The included edge guide is simple but effective for parallel cuts up to a few inches from an edge. The saw tracks straight if you let the blade do the work; forcing the cut introduces wander more quickly than on a heavier 6-1/2 or 7-1/4-in saw, which is expected.

Plunge cuts feel predictable. The short blade makes the nose of the shoe easier to place, and the brake helps you reset without waiting on spin-down.

Blade ecosystem and accessories

A practical consideration with 4-1/2-in saws is blade availability. You won’t find as many options on the rack as with 6-1/2-in blades, but there are enough wood, laminate, and multi-material options to equip the saw well. The 3/8-in arbor and included adapter rings broaden compatibility. The spindle lock and onboard hex key make changes quick.

If you plan to cut a lot of finished plywood or composite materials, invest in a high-quality, thin-kerf blade and keep a spare. The small diameter exaggerates any dullness.

What I liked

• True one-handed usability with a clear sight line and good balance
• Cuts nominal 2x at 90° in a single pass; fast with the included 24T blade
• Electric brake, bright LED with after-glow, and effective dust port
• PWRJUMP fast charge is legitimately handy; USB on the battery is a bonus
• Lightweight package reduces fatigue overhead and on ladders

What could be better

• Depth capacity leaves little margin on 2x; a touch more would reduce “hinge” leftovers
• Only 1 in at 45° limits bevel versatility
• Thermal protection will trip on extended heavy cuts in dense material (expected, but worth noting)
• The kit includes just one 2.0Ah battery; frequent users will want a second pack

Who it’s for

If you’re a remodeler, electrician, HVAC tech, or DIYer who needs a nimble saw for punch lists, overhead work, channel cuts, and quick crosscuts in framing lumber, the Skil compact saw is a strong fit. It’s also a good companion to a full-size saw—something you grab when you value control and convenience over raw capacity.

If you frame all day, rip long boards regularly, or need to bevel through 2x stock in one pass, stick with a 6-1/2 or 7-1/4-in saw as your primary.

Recommendation

I recommend the Skil compact 4-1/2-in circular saw kit for anyone who wants a capable, thoughtfully designed small saw to complement a larger one—or to handle the majority of light-to-medium duty tasks on its own. It’s light, accurate for its class, and well equipped with features that genuinely help on the job: an effective LED, a real dust port, fast charging, and a predictable brake. Just respect its limits—keep a sharp, appropriate blade on it, don’t force dense stock, and consider a second battery if you’re cutting all afternoon—and it will reward you with clean, controlled cuts where bigger saws feel clumsy.