Craftsman Rounds Out The Brushless RP Lineup With A New Cordless Circular Saw
In early 2022, Craftsman released their Brushless RP 20V lineup, focusing on delivering improved runtime and performance. At first glance, Craftsman’s latest 7 1/4-inch Cordless Circular Saw has the makings of a truly competitive option in today’s tool market. With that in mind, we want to dive a little deeper so you can decide if it’s the best option for your upcoming projects.
Craftsman Cordless Circular Saw Performance
- No-Load Speed: 5000 RPMs
- Blade Size: 7-1/4 in.
- Max Cut Depth at 90°: 2-9/16 in.
- Max Cut Depth at 45°: 2 in.
- Bevel: 0-56°
- Arbor: 5/8 in.
The Craftsman cordless circular saw is powered by their latest RP brushless motor that delivers up to 75% more power than the brushed Craftsman CMCS550 saw. It has a top end speed of 5,000 RPMs with a max cut depth of 2-9/16 inches at 90° and 2 inches at 45°.
As with most modern saws, the bevel and cut depth adjustments are tool free. This saw has a max bevel of 56°, but there are positive stops at 22.5° and 45° for quick and accurate changes on the fly. The only time you’ll need tools is during a blade change. Luckily, Craftsman designed this saw with a magnetic slot to store the included hex wrench right below the rear handle.
When speaking of performance, this saw powered through a series of demanding cuts without breaking a sweat. For added context, we performed several crosscuts, bevel, miter, and compound miter cuts in our PT pine 2×10 test boards. Pushing things even further, we performed a few rip cuts in double stacked 3/4-inch OSB subflooring. These boards offered little resistance against the stock 24T think kirf blade, but swapping to a premium blade will help improve overall performance.
Not sure which blades to buy? Check out the CMT Orange Tools Demolition blade!
Craftsman Cordless Circular Saw Design Notes
- Model: Craftsman CMCS551
- Power Source: Craftsman 20V battery
- Weight: 7.3 lbs. (bare), 8.6 lbs. (with 4.0Ah battery)
- Shoe: Aluminum
The Craftsman CMCS551 weighs 7.3 pounds as a bare tool and 8.6 pounds with the recommended 4.0Ah battery. It stands 9.8 inches tall and measures 15 inches from tip to tail. This saw features a blade right design and offers plenty of cut line visibility, even when cutting on a bevel. Additionally, Craftsman added an LED light and dust blower to the front of the housing to help maintain a clear line of sight.
Craftsman definitely gets an A+ from a comfort standpoint on this saw. The grip is wrapped with a textured rubber overmold with large grooves that help channel away sweat and debris. Personally, I really like the spacing between the rear handle and front pommel. The pommel is slightly offset to the left, so your hands won’t be fighting for space while making cuts.
This saw has a stamped aluminum shoe and upper blade guard that help reduce the overall weight and increase durability. The shoe has large markings for 0° and 45° cuts, as well as quick measurement guides along the front and side. It’s also compatible with a standard edge guide for precision cuts.
Additional Features
- Compatible with all Craftsman 20V batteries
- Versatrack Compatible
Craftsman Cordless Circular Saw Price
The Craftsman CMCS551 retails for $129 as a bare tool and with a 3-year limited warranty. At the time we’re writing this, there are no kit options available, so don’t forget to pick up a battery and charger!
The Bottom Line
The Craftsman 7 1/4-inch Cordless Circular Saw takes aim at serious DIYers and the Prosumer market. It delivers confident cutting performance, even on challenging cuts, and the ergonomics earned it high marks from our team. Not to mention, it’s hard to ignore such an attractive price tag. If you’re looking to expand, or update your tool collection this year, this isn’t one you’ll want to ignore.
