[Bayou Titan]

One thing I do to determine which tool I should buy is ask a pro. Don't just ask which brand is better, ask why that particular brand is better. I remember 30 years ago when I was a carpenter's helper, I noticed that every framing carpenter had the same Skill brand circular saw. My curiosity finally got the best of me and I asked why. A carpenter threw down a scrap piece of wood and cross cut one time with the Skill and one time with the Black and Decker. He showed me how the fan motor on the Skill was designed to blow the sawdust off of your cut line. The B&D dumped sawdust right on your cut line where you couldn't see it. I would not have known that just by looking at the specs on each saw. Now B&D has that problem solved which is another point I would like to make. Manufacturers change their leadership and design teams all the time. What once was a poorly designed tool five years ago might be the best today. Don't be prejudiced about past history-buy what's best today. There is a circular saw made today that has ruler stamped on the base. How cool is that! If you are measuring something to cut that is only a few inches, you can use your circular saw that is already resting on the board rather than letting loose of the saw and grabbing a tape measure. I have had pros give me good advice on other tools as well.