Craftsman
Craftsman V20 Brushless RP CMCS551 Circular Saw
Craftsman's V20 flagship sidewinder pairs a Brushless RP motor — up to 75% more power than the brushed CMCS550 it supersedes — with a 2-9/16 in depth of cut that out-specs most 18V pro saws. In Pro Tool Reviews' testing it ripped two stacked sheets of 3/4-in OSB in 20.22 seconds, placing third against far pricier competition while coming in second-lightest, making it one of the strongest value plays in cordless circular saws.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓Placed third in Pro Tool Reviews' stacked-OSB rip test (20.22 seconds through two full sheets of 3/4-in material), beating several saws that cost twice as much.
- ✓2-9/16 in cut depth at 90° is deeper than most 18V/20V competitors and clears 2x material at a 45° bevel.
- ✓Second-lightest saw in Pro Tool Reviews' comparison at 8.74 lbs with a 6.0Ah battery — easy on the arm for sheet goods and overhead work.
- ✓Automatic electric blade brake stops the blade within 1-2 seconds of trigger release (confirmed in the official manual).
- ✓Excellent value: about $129 bare with frequent promos (Ace has run it at $99), backed by a 3-year limited warranty.
- ✓Tool-free depth and bevel adjustments, onboard magnetic hex-wrench storage, and reviewers praised the sightlines to the cut line.
- ✓56° bevel capacity with positive stops at 22.5° and 45° covers rafter and stair layouts.
- ✓V20 is a huge, cheap battery ecosystem sold at every Lowe's and Ace, so spare packs are easy to find.
Cons
- ✗5,000 RPM no-load speed trails the 6,000 RPM class leaders, so cuts in dense stock are a touch slower and rougher.
- ✗Overload protection halted Pro Tool Reviews' full-depth maximum-load cut after 14 inches — it needs a lighter feed rate when buried at full depth.
- ✗No rafter hook, a notable omission for anyone working off a ladder or framing.
- ✗No first-party kit with battery and charger — newcomers to V20 must piece the system together separately.
- ✗Owner feedback says performance depends heavily on battery size; small 2.0Ah packs noticeably starve it.
- ✗No dust port or collection option, so it's a broom-and-blower affair indoors.
- ✗V20 tops out at prosumer level — there are no high-output packs, so it can't grow into daily production framing use.
- ✗Pro Tool Reviews noted minor blade drag during compound miter cuts.
Common Questions
Do DeWalt 20V Max batteries fit Craftsman V20 tools?
Is there a kit version with a battery and charger?
How does it perform against pro-brand saws?
What's the cut capacity like for a 20V saw?
What are the practical downsides on the jobsite?
Compare the Craftsman V20 Brushless RP CMCS551 Circular Saw
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