Skil Brushless 12V 5-1/2 in. Circular Saw Kit

A compact 12V saw that punches above its size

I’ve been using Skil’s 12V compact circular saw as a go-to for quick cuts, small builds, and anywhere a full‑size saw feels like overkill. It’s a brushless 12V platform with a 5-1/2 in blade, and the kit includes a 4.0Ah battery and Skil’s fast PWRJUMP charger. After several weeks of ripping sheet goods, trimming 2x stock, and dialing in a few bevels on outdoor furniture parts, I’ve come to trust it as a lightweight utility saw that’s more capable than its voltage suggests—so long as you respect its limits.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, setup was straightforward. The included 18‑tooth ultra‑thin kerf blade mounts to a 10 mm arbor, and Skil includes the Allen key in the kit. The shoe and guards felt solid with no slop, and the depth and bevel controls have enough tension to inspire confidence. I like that Skil includes a vacuum adaptor; it snaps on securely and makes a meaningful difference with a shop vac attached.

The saw is compact and well balanced with the 4.0Ah battery. It’s noticeably lighter than most 6-1/2 in 18V saws I own, and that matters when you’re cutting on a ladder or making a series of quick crosscuts. The trigger safety is positive without being fussy, and the electric brake stops the blade promptly—great for precise cut ends and safer handling.

Cutting performance and capacity

For a 12V saw, it has legitimate grunt. The brushless motor spins at a listed 4200 rpm and, paired with the thin‑kerf 18T blade, it moves through 2x lumber without complaint. It’s not a “push it as fast as you can” type of saw; if you let it feed at its own pace, it tracks true and leaves a surprisingly clean edge. Ripping 3/4 in plywood is squarely in its wheelhouse, and it’ll crosscut 2x stock cleanly and reliably.

Capacity is 1-5/8 in at 90° and 1-3/16 in at 45°. That means:
- It will clear 2x lumber at 90°, even accounting for nominal 1-1/2 in thickness.
- It won’t make a single‑pass bevel cut through 2x at 45°. That’s expected for this blade size.

I leaned on it for repetitive cuts on cedar and pine (decking, furring strips, 2x framing members), plus some oak ply. In hardwoods, I could feel it asking for a lighter feed on longer rips, which is typical of compact saws. A finer‑tooth blade improves cut quality in hardwood and veneered sheet goods, but you pay for that with a slower feed rate. With this motor and battery, both 18T stock and 40T fine‑cut blades perform within reasonable expectations for a 5-1/2 in tool.

Accuracy and control

Skil’s sight lines are good, and between the integrated dust blower and the LED work light, the cut line stays visible. The shoe rides smoothly on plywood and straightedges, and the base feels rigid enough that it doesn’t telegraph flex into the cut. On my sample, the 0° indicator and bevel scale were close, but I always cut a test kerf and tweak the indicator to my blade; once set, it stayed put.

Depth adjustment is quick and intuitive. I did snug the depth clamp a bit more than out‑of‑box to eliminate any chance of creep when I was pushing at odd angles—worth doing if you tend to make non‑ideal cuts on site. Bevel range is 0° to 50°, and the mechanism locks securely. If you need dead‑on bevel accuracy for furniture, do the same you would with any compact saw: set up with a square, cut a test, and fine‑tune.

Dust management and visibility

With no vac attached, the integrated blower does a decent job clearing the cut line, which makes a real difference in plywood and MDF. Hook up a small shop vac to the included adaptor and the saw becomes a friendlier neighbor indoors. Suction won’t eliminate every flake, but it contains the plume and keeps the work area cleaner than most compact saws I’ve used. The LED light is strong enough to help in shaded or indoor settings, though the blower is doing most of the visibility work.

Battery and charging experience

The 4.0Ah 12V pack is the right match for this tool. I can get through a small project—say, a handful of 2x cuts, some rip trimming, and a few bevels—on a single charge, and the pack doesn’t thermal out easily. The PWRJUMP charger is genuinely handy for top‑offs. While the marketing claim is framed around “enough power to drive screws,” in practice a five‑minute charge gave me enough runtime to finish a short list of crosscuts and a rip—not a full session, but enough to keep momentum when I misjudged the charge state. The USB port on the battery is a nice bonus; I used it to top up a phone on site without hunting for an outlet.

Blade compatibility notes

Blade choice matters more on compact saws, and this one is no exception. The stock 18T blade is usable for framing lumber and general tasks. If you cut a lot of plywood or prefinished goods, consider a 36–40T thin‑kerf blade. Pay attention to arbor size: the saw uses a 10 mm arbor with 5-1/2 in blades, and it can also run 5-3/8 in (136 mm) blades if the arbor matches. The smaller diameter slightly reduces depth of cut, but fine‑cut options are more plentiful in 5-3/8 in. Keep a dedicated fine‑cut blade on hand—swapping takes moments and elevates results.

Ergonomics and safety

The handle geometry is comfortable, and the saw’s balance encourages controlled starts. The electric brake is quick and consistent, which I appreciate on finish‑oriented cuts. Guard retraction is smooth and predictable. While the tool is light enough to maneuver one‑handed, I still recommend a two‑hand grip whenever possible; accuracy and safety both improve. Noise and vibration are moderate—less than a 7‑1/4 in saw, unsurprisingly, but it still benefits from hearing protection.

Limitations to consider

• It’s not a replacement for a 6-1/2 or 7-1/4 in saw if you’re regularly ripping thick hardwoods or framing all day. Power is good for 12V, not limitless.
• Depth at 45° won’t clear 2x in one pass, so plan accordingly.
• Blade selection requires attention to arbor size; not every 5-1/2 in blade on the shelf will fit a 10 mm arbor.
• There are no track‑saw aspirations here. For long, dead‑straight cuts, use a clamped straightedge and take your time.

None of these are dealbreakers for the target use. They’re normal constraints of the size class.

Reliability and build

After a mix of outdoor and garage work, nothing has shaken loose or drifted out of adjustment. The base remains square, the locks still clamp firmly, and the brake behavior hasn’t changed. The plastics feel durable, and the levers haven’t rounded off or flexed under hand pressure. It feels like a tool designed for regular DIY and jobsite punch‑list work, not a disposable kit throw‑in.

Who it’s for

• DIYers and homeowners who want a lighter, less intimidating circular saw for common projects.
• Pros who already run larger saws but want a compact, grab‑and‑go option for trim, repairs, and overhead or ladder work.
• Anyone setting up a small shop where space and dust control matter; pair it with a shop vac and a fine‑tooth blade and it’s surprisingly shop‑friendly.

If your day job is ripping LVL or framing nonstop, you’ll be happier with a larger 18V/20V saw. But for the majority of maintenance, woodworking, and punch‑list tasks, this 12V saw covers a lot of ground with less weight and clutter.

The bottom line

Skil’s 12V compact circular saw is a thoughtfully designed, capable small saw. The brushless motor, quick‑acting brake, useful dust management, and practical PWRJUMP fast charging make it easy to live with. It cuts 2x at 90°, handles sheet goods cleanly with the right blade, and is light enough to take anywhere. Its limitations are inherent to its size—depth at bevel, absolute power ceiling, and arbor‑specific blade choices—but none of them undercut its value as a daily utility saw.

Recommendation: I recommend this saw. It’s a strong fit for DIYers and pros who want a compact, reliable cutter for routine tasks without hauling a full‑size circular saw. The kit’s 4.0Ah battery and fast charger sweeten the deal, and the overall performance and ergonomics make it a tool I reach for more often than I expected.