Did you catch last week’s post about Ryobi’s new 18V One+ cordless tools for 2015? The circular saw looked unfamiliar to me, and it turns out that it is a new model – P507.
The new saw features a 6-1/2″ blade size, which Ryobi says gives it 35% greater cutting capacity than their 5-1/2″ circular saws. It also sports a new motor which delivers 40% more power, giving the saw “corded-equivalent cutting performance.”
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Features and Specs
- 6-1/2″ blade size with 5/8″ arbor
- 4,700 RPM (no-load speed)
- Depth of Cut: 2-1/16″ at 0°, 1-7/16″ at 45°
- 0-56° bevel cut capacity
- Weighs 5 lbs
- Comes with a 24T ultra-thin kerf carbide-tipped blade for fast and clean cuts
In addition to the upgraded blade size, the new saw has new “GripZone” overmolding for greater grip and comfort, and decent-looking ergonomics.
Price: $69 (bare tool)
ETA: March 2015
As with other Ryobi power tools, the new saw will be available exclusively at Home Depot.
First Thoughts
I’m not sure how seriously I can take the “corded-equivalent cutting performance” claims, but the larger 6-1/2″ blade size definitely makes this a high-interest saw for Ryobi 18V One+ users, as well as newcomers to the Ryobi line.
In addition to the greater cutting depth capacity compared to saws with 5-1/2″ blades, there seems to be far greater blade selection for this size. Other brands’ cordless 18V saws often have 6-1/2″ blades, which means there are loads of brands and blade sizes to choose from.
It’s a bit surprising that Ryobi only now came out with a 6-1/2″ blade size, but there are two possible explanations as to why they hadn’t come out with a circular saw of this size sooner. I’m thinking that previous prototypes either had power or runtime limitations. With Ryobi now offering 4.0Ah battery packs, and with a new motor that is said to be 40% more powerful and capable of “corded-equivalent” performance, it seems these possible obstacles are no longer valid concerns.
I think that the greatest limitation with this tool will be its long-term durability, at least if used in a jobsite setting. It looks great for DIYers and casual users, but professional users will probably want a saw with a beefier shoe.
KenZ
As the owner of an excellent, and well rated in tool testing, 36V Bosch 6.5″ blade, I will say that:
A. Even 36V at 6.5″ isn’t as powerful as a corded model.
B. It’s gotta be way better than 18V though…
C. While it isn’t as good in performance as a corded saw, it is _good enough_ that for 90% of the tasks I do, I simply don’t miss the cord and the tradeoffs are worth it.
Thus, my summary of cordless saws goes something like this: “They’re not just good… they’re good enough!”
Stuart
The thing is, “corded-equivalent” could hit a moving target. A corded Ryobi saw might not be as powerful as a corded Bosch/Dewalt/Milwaukee saw. Thus, the 6.5″ saw could be as powerful as a corded saw, although perhaps not the corded saw everyone might be thinking of or familiar with.
Nathan York
I’ve got the makita 7 1/4 18v X 2 batteries circular saw and i gotta tell you its got the power of a corded saw if not the runtime of it. 2x salt treated material won’t even slow it down. Just need some of those 5ah batteries for it for some decent runtime.
cody
Looks identical to craftsman’s (ct2040) 6 1/2 circular saw that came out about 3 months ago.
Stuart
It does, and the two saws probably came off the same assembly line. TTI makes most (if not all) Ryobi cordless power tools, and some tools for Craftsman’s C3 cordless platform.
Dave C.
Called it 🙂 https://toolguyd.com/new-ryobi-18v-tools-2015/#comment-615121
Looking forward to getting one of these, and that new work light.
If anyone’s curious, Home Depot stores have marked down the 2-pack of 4.0 Ah Ryobi batteries to $50.04 (if they have any left).
Adam
Their online page shows $99 for the pair, and ‘only sold online’. I’m an hour and a half from a brick and mortar – must be an in-stock clearance price? If anyone wants to grab some for me – I’d be happy to pay you a reward for them…. 😉
Moze
Pretty good RPM’s (4700) compared to some of the other platforms:
Milwaukee 18v 6½”: 3500
DeWalt 20v Max 6½”: 3700
Bosch 18v 6½”: 3900
Makita 18v LXT 6½”: 5000
Milwaukee 18v Fuel 7¼”: 5000
A 6½” blade at 4700rpm should work pretty well. I can see why they would (on paper) compare it to a corded saw. I’ll be curious to see how real world results will be…
Glenn
Looks like a good addition to the line. I have one of the old original blue 140mm saws and using it with the lithium batteries it is a pretty decent tool ,used within its limitations.
Having a larger diameter blade and a more powerful motor it should be a pretty good tool.
I do however hope they have beefed up the shoe, as the shoe on my version as well as all the current saws is not as strong as and as well built as the premium brands.
Jerry
Great addition to the Ryobi line. I wonder if this is one of those tools that works better with the lithium + batteries? I talked to some Ryobi owners who say that some of their tools get a performance boost when using the Lithium + batteries, compared to the standard lithium or NiCads. I just got into the Ryobi One+ line with a couple yard tools, and so far in my short experience with them, I have been impressed at the performance for the price.
Stuart
That’s certainly possible.
Adam
I would say that the performance increase would be negligible – maybe slightly so. My ear can’t hear a rpm difference in the trim router when going from an old yellow nicad to a lithium. The difference is in the runtime. I use both the cordless planer and trim router extensively when setting historic sash and doors. I can tell you the difference is night and day – where I’d be changing batteries at lunch with the nicads, I can go two days without charging using the larger 4ah batteries – makes a huge difference.
Jerry
Additional runtime may be enough. I currently own an 18V NiCad 6.5 saw, and have cut countless 2X4s and 2X6s with it, ripped 3/4 inch plywood lengthwise, etc, and really, when you realize you are using a lightweight compact saw, and not a heavy duty full size corded tool, it really is not lacking in power, especially when using a good sharp blade. Where it really was lacking was runtime. I felt lucky to cut through 2 sheets of 3/4 plywood on a battery. With a good charge, the saw never felt overworked, as long as you watched your feed rate, and stuck a shim in the kerf behind you if the blade started to bind. My problem was more one of keeping batteries charged, as the saw ran them down quickly.
I do have a buddy who swears his hammer drill has more power using the Lithium+ batteries. He says it is just enough to tell, which may or may not be mostly psycological. When I get more experience with my yard tools, I’ll report back if that is the case. Don’t hold your breath, though, as we are in a blizzard as I type this.
Chris
The + batteries absolutely make a difference in power. The reciprocatin saw, circular saw and weed whacker are pretty anemic with the regular lithium ions but become serious tools with the 4.0 + batt. Cut a 7″ diameter tree branch into multiple pieces with the reciprocating and have torn through thin saplings and thick grass with the weed whacker.
glenn
Ryobi claim increased power with the latest generation lithium batteries. The link below is to a comparison chart from Ryobi. Whether it is true or not I cant say as I only have the previous generation lithiums.
http://maxcdn.toolboxbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Battery-Comparison-Chart.jpg
Stuart
Craftsman makes similar claims about their XCP batteries:
http://www.c3answers.com/pdf/C3-battery-HIGHRES_v1.gif
Also, here’s my preview post from when the Ryobi announced the new batteries: https://toolguyd.com/ryobi-18v-lithium-ion-batteries/ . Note the “up to” 15% boost for compact batteries and 35% for high capacity batteries, compared to NiCD claims.
Dave C
Quick note to anyone looking for these: they’re starting to show up in stores, but they have the same SKU (338757) as the P506 5 1/2″ saw (why would they do that? argh!) so it’s hard to tell if a store actually has any in stock. The store I was at tonight had one P506 on a lower shelf and one P507 up in the rafters.
Bob
The difference is in the batteries. li-ion battery circuitry maintains the same voltage until they die unlike ni-cad where the voltage slowly drops off as they lose their charge. This allows the tool to run at full capacity throughout the battery cycle. I am a contractor and have used just about every cordless tool system made. The batteries always crap out before the tools break. I finally switched to using Ryobi cordless tools because they are cheap. They may not have the best features but they perform reliably and last just as long as the other brands. That said the 5 1/2 inch cordless saw was practically useless with the old nicad batteries and sat in a bin for year (two of them actually along with the 18v recip saw) it could not rip through a full sheet of plywood without dying. When the 4ah batteries came out I bought them on the special 2 for $99 deal which they run several times a year and wow what a difference. My drills can run for several days without recharging. It made my recip saw and circular saw actually useful. The only limitation of the old 5 1/2″ saw is the blade size. I will be buying one of the 6 1/2″ models and a new quick blade change recip saw soon. If you have an old nic-cad 18v charger and batteries. Buy the new lithium charger and the 2/$99 4ah batteries. Do not waste your money on the small li-ion batteries or the promo charger and battery as they are the lower capacity ones. The charge indicator feature on the 4ah batteries is very useful. Home depots scam is they sell the promo 2 pack several times a year then clearance them. So they don’t compete with the regular $99 dollar price for one 4ah battery. I did the same thing as another reviewer and lurked around HD after christmas and bought several 2 packs at $ 50 a pack and one at $75. So i have six batteries in waiting to go with the four I use regularly. The batteries have a three year warranty so save your receipt. I no longer have to having chargers running constantly to keep my tools going. Make sure you buy the big charger that can charge a battery in 30 mins.