# TLDR Review: SKIL Skilsaw Circular Saw

*Published: 2026-03-01 | Updated: 2026-03-01 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/skil-skilsaw-circular-saw*

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## Product: SKIL Skilsaw Circular Saw
**Brand:** Skil

## Pros
- Excellent crosscutting performance that handles thick hardwood and dense materials like Douglas Fir with ease
- Remarkably lightweight and manageable for its size—reviewers praised its comfort even for one-handed operation
- Superior base plate and shoe design keeps the blade precisely square with accuracy within 1/32" of cut line
- Delivers substantial power capable of cutting through 6x6 posts in a single pass
- Smart design features that prevent tipping and lock the saw securely in place
- Includes a quality combo blade
- Comes with a helpful stand/base for equipment maintenance

## Cons
- Rip cutting performance is weak—reviewers noted the motor lacks sufficient power for ripping tasks and the included blade isn't ideal for this work, sometimes requiring heavy-duty extension cords and workpiece wedges to prevent blade pinching
- Gearbox runs dangerously hot during ripping operations, reaching temperatures that can cause burns on contact
- Motor produces a noticeable odor during operation
- Shallow minimum depth of cut (under 2.5") limits your ability to make multiple-pass cuts on thinner materials

## Bottom Line

The SKIL SPT70V-11 is honestly a crosscutting powerhouse—it delivers impressive accuracy and power in a lightweight package that's genuinely pleasant to use. The downside? It's not designed for ripping, and reviewers flagged serious issues like a dangerously overheating gearbox and underwhelming rip cut performance that made this task a real struggle. If your primary use is crosscutting thick hardwoods, this is a solid choice; if you're planning serious ripping work, you'd be better served looking at a different model.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Excellent crosscutting performance that handles thick hardwood and dense materials like Douglas Fir with ease | Rip cutting performance is weak—reviewers noted the motor lacks sufficient power for ripping tasks and the included blade isn't ideal for this work, sometimes requiring heavy-duty extension cords and workpiece wedges to prevent blade pinching |
| Remarkably lightweight and manageable for its size—reviewers praised its comfort even for one-handed operation | Gearbox runs dangerously hot during ripping operations, reaching temperatures that can cause burns on contact |
| Superior base plate and shoe design keeps the blade precisely square with accuracy within 1/32" of cut line | Motor produces a noticeable odor during operation |
| Delivers substantial power capable of cutting through 6x6 posts in a single pass | Shallow minimum depth of cut (under 2.5") limits your ability to make multiple-pass cuts on thinner materials |
| Smart design features that prevent tipping and lock the saw securely in place |  |
| Includes a quality combo blade |  |
| Comes with a helpful stand/base for equipment maintenance |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| Amazon | $616.47  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*