SKIL PWRCORE 20 Brushless 20V 6-1/2" Cordless Circular Saw (CR5413)
SKIL is to circular saws as Kleenex is to bath tissues. Although the market has exploded with other models, SKIL continues to develop well-crafted tools for affordable prices. The CR5413 is the brand’s cordless entry in the circular saw category that it started many years ago.
Check out our comparison of the CR5413 against other leading competitors.
Quick Specs
| Blade Diameter | 6-1/2" |
| Speed | 5400 rpm |
| Weight | 5.7 lbs |
| Arbor Size | 5/8" |
| Max Bevel | 50° |
| Warranty | 5 years |
The PWRCORE line aims to increase battery longevity by keeping the internal cells from overheating. SKIL accomplishes this by surrounding each cell in a special cooling material that keeps the battery operating at optimal conditions.
The battery last an impressively long time. They wouldn’t give up after dozens of cuts. Long working sessions are possible with a few quick recharges from the included charger.
The brushless motor doesn’t require any maintenance so you won’t have to worry about occasional brush replacements. An electric brake on the motor slows the blade down faster than intertia would allow to keep your workflows moving.
Bevel capacity is a touch beyond 45 degrees so mitered cuts are easily performed. A lever towards the front of the plate allows for quick bevel adjustments.
Blade changes are simple with the spindle lock (a little hidden but located on the front of the blade guard). The arbor nut is loosened with an included allen wrench.
We like the integrated dust port. It’s not perfect but does a pretty good job capturing dust, especially when paired with a shop vac.
An LED light located just forward of the blade keeps your cutline illuminated so that you are less prone to wander from your intended cut. We wish it also included a laser like the corded version but the LED works well enough.
This 20-volt brushless circular saw spins at 5400 rpm and includes a 4.0 Ah battery. On-board status lights indicate remaining battery charge. When you do need to top up, the PWR JUMP charger revives a dead battery in only five minutes.
The 4.0Ah battery is plenty of power for run-of-the-mill cuts. If you regularly need hours of runtime or are planning on cutting through harder materials, consider upgrading to a heftier battery in the PWRCORE line.
Additionally, SKIL throws in their PWR ASSIST USB charger. This attachment fits onto any SKIL PWRCORE battery and accepts a standard USB cable, so phones and other devices can use the battery charge when needed. This feature is pretty unique to SKIL tools and is a thoughtful addition in this age where our phones are always present in the garage or on a jobsite.
- Dust port
- USB charging feature
- No laser like its corded brother
CONSENSUS:
The CR5413 from SKIL is a great beginner cordless circular saw with its reasonable power and affordable price. It’s one of the few saws on the market with a dust port, so keep that in mind if it’s an important feature for you.