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SKIL CR540601 Review

A capable and inexpensive saw that is perfect for handy homeowners and DIYers
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SKIL CR540601 Review (A proficient saw at a reasonable price point, the SKIL CR540603 is an excellent option for those who have never owned...)
A proficient saw at a reasonable price point, the SKIL CR540603 is an excellent option for those who have never owned a power saw before.
Credit: Ian Pearman
Price:  $80 List
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Manufacturer:   SKIL
By Nick Miley and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Dec 19, 2019
62
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#9 of 13
  • Cutting - 50% 5.3
  • Ease of Use - 30% 5.9
  • Battery - 20% 9.0

Our Verdict

While the SKIL CR540601 is not a high-end saw, it is still one of our favorite cordless circular saws at its price point. This 6 1/2" saw will make all but the toughest cuts without much difficulty. It also has unique sightlines that are accurate and easy for novices to line up. As an added perk, the SKIL has a remarkably long battery life, especially so considering its modest cost. All in all, this saw is an excellent option for skilled users with moderate applications in mind or those new to power tools looking to get a quality saw but not the top of the line.
REASONS TO BUY
Long-lasting battery
Good sightlines
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
So-so cutting power
No positive stops
Fiddly bevel adjustments

Compare to Similar Products

 
skil cr540601
This Product
SKIL CR540601
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
    
Price $80 List$79 List$79 List
$76.03 at Amazon
$80 List$55 List
$42.75 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line A competent, affordable saw that is a great choice for non-professional usersThis saw will appeal to the novice DIY crowd due to its modest price tag and ease of use featuresThis model gave a lackluster performance and was particularly shabby in battery longevity departmentThis moderately priced saw is best suited to low-demand tasksThis economy saw has notable benefits to users with appropriately low expectations
Rating Categories SKIL CR540601 Ryobi P507 Craftsman CMCS500B Porter-Cable PCC660 Black+Decker BDCCS20B
Cutting (50%)
5.3
5.3
6.3
4.6
2.3
Ease of Use (30%)
5.9
7.0
6.1
5.0
5.5
Battery (20%)
9.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
1
Specs SKIL CR540601 Ryobi P507 Craftsman CMCS500B Porter-Cable PCC660 Black+Decker BDCCS20B
Blade Side Left Left Left Left Left
Blade Size 6-1/2" 6-1/2" 6-1/2" 6-1/2" 5-1/2"
Brushless Motor? No No No No No
Blade Brake? Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Bevel Positive Stops? No No No No No
Estimated Linear Feet of 3/4" Plywood Cut per Charge 324 ft 202 ft 184 ft 157 ft 52 ft
Measured Weight w/o Battery 5.8 lb 5.0 lb 5.9 lb 5.9 lb 4.6 lb
Measured Max Depth of Cut w/ Framing Blade 1-15/16" 1-7/8" 2-1/8" 1-29/32" 1-1/2"
Average 6x12" Cross Cutting Time 6.6 sec 7.6 sec 5.8 sec 6.9 sec 11.1 sec
Rafter Hook? No No No No No
Battery Used in Testing 5 Ah 4 Ah 4 Ah 4 Ah 1.5 Ah

Our Analysis and Test Results

In a competitive class of circular saws, the SKIL CR540601 cuts out a place for itself as an affordable machine with above-average performance. The saw's standout features are its battery and sightlines. The SKIL has one of the longest-lasting batteries that we've seen, and its unique sightlines make lining up cuts a cinch. Our chief complaints are that it's a little underpowered and a little awkward to make bevel adjustments. That said, the SKIL can handle long rips and full depth crosscuts. Moreover, this saw comes at a price that is accessible to those who are not making a living with their tools.

Performance Comparison


skil cr540601
Credit: Austin Palmer

Ease of Use


The ease of use metric covers every aspect of saw performance aside from cutting power and battery life. The SKIL earned an average rating in this analysis. However, this is a difficult metric to attain high marks due to the large number of features analyzed. Specifically, we hone in on the adjustments of the shoe such as cutting depth and bevel. We look for clearly and accurately marked blade adjustment as well as features like positive stops at common bevel angles. Additionally, we look at the accuracy of the sightlines, the ease of swapping blades, and the weight of the saw. Quite literally, we want to know how difficult it is to interact with the saw with the goal of making quality cuts.


The SKIL's bevel settings are stamped into the metal components of the shoe, which aren't the easiest to see when the saw is covered with dust. The bevel is secured with a threaded knob that works okay, but depending on the bevel setting, the knob can be hard to grip. In contrast to the bevel, the blade depth is secured with a lever that is easy and effective, no matter where it is set. Also, the depth markers are raised, making them much easier to see.

Like the blade depth, the sightline system is very effective and easy to use — especially for the uninitiated. We will admit that the plastic window is unusual; however we found it to be dead-on accurate and intuitive. We were less than impressed with the blade removal, mostly because the blade lock button is a bit hard to reach. That said, we have definitely seen worse. Finally, the SKIL comes in at 5.8 lbs. (without the battery) — that's pretty light for the class.

All in all, the SKIL's ease of use evaluation rendered middle of the road results with some notable bright spots.

skil cr540601 - the skil's bevel adjustment leaves a lot to be desired, but the...
The SKIL's bevel adjustment leaves a lot to be desired, but the plastic sightlines are easy and accurate.
Credit: Ian Pearman

Cutting


Cutting is the paramount assessment in any saw review. However, our tests in this metric are focused on cutting power. This is because the ease of use metric covers the accuracy of the sightlines, bevel, and blade depth. So, all that is left to assess is the limits of the saw's motor. The SKIL is below average in this evaluation, but that doesn't mean it's incapable of effectively cutting lumber.


The cutting evaluation consists of three timed tests: a 10' rip down the length of a 2x6" plank of softwood, a full-depth crosscut of a 6x12" softwood header, and a full depth crosscut of hardwood. Cordless saws have a limiter that will cut power if the motor is at risk of overloading. So, we want to push the saw right up to that point, but not beyond. Making a quick cut is a good measure of a saw's power — or, more specifically, its torque — because the teeth of the blade are taking deeper bites into the wood the faster the cut is being made. Having repeated each of these tests twice (once for each tester), it's safe to say that the SKIL does not like to be rushed. The motor takes on a jerky, uneven character when pressed. However, the saw will continue spinning, working its way through the cut.

skil cr540601 - the skil won't be rushed, but it will make tough cuts if you take it...
The SKIL won't be rushed, but it will make tough cuts if you take it slow.
Credit: Ian Pearman

Battery


Batteries are not all created equal. In fact, batteries with the same voltage and amp hour rating may vary drastically in the amount of work they can produce. Battery longevity is one area that the SKIL shows itself to be a great value because it can keep up the cutting for as long as high-end saws.


To measure the battery life of a saw, we take a sheet of 3/4" plywood and, using a guide, repeatedly ripped off 1/4" strips. The guide prevents any wandering in a long cut, thus promoting uniformity in the drain on the battery. The SKIL impressed all by making 40.5 rips — that's 324 linear feet — before giving up the ghost. Few saws, at any price, can claim such a capacity for repeated cutting on a single charge.

skil cr540601 - the results of the battery tests: the skil contributed 40 rips to...
The results of the battery tests: the SKIL contributed 40 rips to the pile -- no small feat for an economy saw.
Credit: Austin Palmer

Value


We find the SKIL CR540601 to be a fantastic deal. The saw is accurate, fairly easy to operate, and powerful enough for most users. More to the point, it's all of these things while remaining very affordable compared to its peers.

Conclusion


The SKIL received average marks in the ease of use and cutting evaluations but it excelled in the battery test. If an average raking in 2 out of 3 metrics isn't all that compelling, keep in mind that the saw's price point is well below average for the class. Besides, this saw will meet the needs of most DIYers — it will even fit into some professional applications. So, if you're looking for a saw that won't cost you an arm and a leg but will still perform to reasonable standards, look no further than the SKILL CR540601.

Nick Miley and Austin Palmer