Skil 5080-01 13-Amp 7-1/4″ Circular Saw- Pros and Cons

The Skil 5080-01 13-Amp 7-1/4″ Circular Saw is a reasonably priced option for DIYers and home improvement enthusiasts looking for a capable circular saw. Skil is a well-known power tool brand that offers affordable tools packed with useful features. In this Skil 5080-01 13-Amp 7-1/4 circular saw review, we will take an in-depth look at the key specs, pros, cons, and performance of this model to help you determine if it fits your needs.

Key Features and Specifications

Some of the main features and specs of the Skil 5080-01 13-Amp 7-1/4″ Circular Saw include:

• 13 amp motor generating up to 5,300 RPM for cutting through lumber and sheet goods
• 7-1/4” carbide-tipped blade included
• 53° bevel capacity for angled and miter cuts
• On-tool wrench storage for blade changes
• Lightweight at just 8.5 lbs
• 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade
• Spindle lock for quick and easy blade changes
• Dust blower to keep line-of-cut free of sawdust
• Safety trigger lock button
• 56° bevel capacity with positive stops at 45° and 22.5°

Performance and Power

The Skil 5080-01 circular saw is equipped with a 13 amp motor that delivers up to 5,300 RPM. This allows it to cut through dense hardwoods and pressure-treated lumber without bogging down. The motor has plenty of torque and cutting power for most common DIY and basic construction cuts. It can handle ripping long boards, cross-cutting plywood, bevel cuts, and more. The 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade leaves smooth, fast cuts in most materials without excessive tear-out.

While suitable for most home projects, the Skil 5080-01 may struggle with thick hardwood stock or stacked cutting of multiple sheets of plywood. For extended use on a job site, a 15 amp worm drive saw would be a better choice. But for light-duty home use, this Skil model provides very capable cutting performance.

Cutting Depth and Bevel Range

This Skil circular saw can cut up to 2-3/8″ depth-of-cut at 90° which is sufficient for many common cutting tasks. It also has an angled cutting capacity of 1-15/16″ at 45° bevel which allows you to make a variety of miter and compound miter cuts.

The bevel capacity is listed at 53° with positive stops at the most commonly used angles of 45° and 22.5°. Adjusting and locking bevel angles is smooth and accurate with an easy-to-reach lever.

Ergonomics and Usability

Weighing in at just 8.5 pounds, the Skil 5080-01 is very lightweight and comfortable to handle for extended cutting sessions. It has an optimized balance and smooth rounded edges for comfort. The rubberized soft grip handles also provide a secure, slip-resistant hold even when wearing gloves or working in hot conditions that cause sweaty hands.

For convenience, there is onboard storage for the included wrench so you have easy access for quick blade changes. There is also a handy spindle lock so you can change the blade without needing any other tools. The blade guard and cutline blower work effectively to give you a clear line-of-sight for accurate cuts.

Overall, the ergonomic design, lightweight body, and handy features like the wrench storage and spindle lock make this Skil model very user-friendly for the DIYer.

Cut Quality

The 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade leaves smooth, fast cuts in most building materials with minimal tear-out. It cuts cleanly through dimensional lumber, plywood, OSB, and other common materials. The cutline blower keeps the line-of-cut free of sawdust for better visibility. While it can’t match the cut quality of higher-end 60+ tooth framing or trim blades, the included blade is decent for a majority of applications. For fine carpentry work, you may want to upgrade to a finer-toothed blade.

Safety Features

This saw comes equipped with several safety features including a safety lock-off button to prevent accidental start-up. There is also a lower blade guard to protect from accidental contact with the back side of the blade. Other safety features include anti-snag lower guard design, on-tool wrench storage so you don’t have to place the open blade on your work surface for changes, and a dust port to keep dust from blowing back in your face.

While it covers the basics, it does lack some more advanced safety technology offered on other models such as electric brake for instant blade stop.

Dust Management

While many circular saws essentially just blow dust into the air, the Skil 5080-01 has a dust port that allows you to connect a vacuum for extracting dust and keeping your workspace cleaner. This is a really nice feature for a saw in this price range. The dust blower still works even with a vac attached so you get the combined benefit of cutline visibility plus dust management.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to supply your own vacuum and hose as they are not included. But it’s great to have the option for connecting dust collection built right into an affordably priced saw.

Pros
– Powerful 13 amp motor
– Lightweight (8.5 lbs) design
– Bevel capacity up to 53°
– Spindle lock for quick blade changes
– Onboard tool storage for included wrench
– Dust port for connecting vacuum
– Very affordable price point
– Smooth bevel adjustment and locking
– Quality carbide-tipped blade included
– Ergonomic handle with rubberized grip
– Rugged and durable construction

Cons
– Lacks safety brake
– Included blade could be higher quality
– May struggle with thick hardwood stock
– Plastic adjustment levers feel a bit flimsy
– Short power cord (6 ft)

Who’s it For?

The Skil 5080-01 circular saw is ideally suited for:

– Weekend warriors tackling DIY projects
– Homeowners doing occasional home improvement tasks
– Beginners looking for an affordable, entry-level circular saw
– Anyone seeking a backup or secondary saw for their tool collection

It works well for typical tasks like breaking down sheet goods, cross-cutting lumber, ripping long boards, etc. Just don’t expect refined performance for fine woodworking or heavy-duty construction work.

Should You Buy the Skil 5080-01 Circular Saw?

For home DIYers and hobbyists, the Skil 5080-01 is a great value choice if you just need a basic circular saw for occasional use. It cuts smoothly and accurately thanks to the powerful motor, carbide-tipped blade, bevel capacity, and lightweight maneuverable design. Little touches like the onboard blade wrench storage, spindle lock, and dust port make it more convenient to use for the non-professional.

Considering the affordable price tag, Skil definitely didn’t cut corners on performance. This model can handle most typical home improvement tasks. It also lacks some of the shortcomings of other budget models like inadequate safety features or terribly uncomfortable handles.

The Skil 5080-01 isn’t meant for refined carpentry or all-day job site use. But if you need decent cutting capability in an affordable DIY-friendly package, it delivers very good bang-for-the-buck. I sincerely hope you find this “Skil 5080-01 13-Amp 7-1/4″ Circular Saw- Pros and Cons” article helpful.