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Google yields a pretty biased ad based result for such a search. Why would I take a friggin architects advice on the best skilsaw?? He probably never had to use one!

I see that DeWalt gets a lot of hits, seems okay. Skilsaw seems like the cheap option. I'm sort of leaning towards Makita as that's what I've been using but now it's time for me to buy my very first skilsaw and I don't want to buy another one, ever. Unless it's for a different job, like a 10" or a rail guided. I want a saw to last!

Makita has a pretty good rep for being repairable, while stuff like Ryobi, not so much. DeWalt sounds like they have a lesser repair capacity, takes a long time/expensive parts.

What do the pro carpenters on here use and why? Also, I'd prefer a corded saw. Not into changing batteries/paying for extra ones and a charger! Unless someone not making a commission can sell me on a cordless saw!

Cheers and thanks!

Can't really give a professional carpenter's opinion since I'm not one, but the Makita my old mate uses seems to do the trick. We've done quite a lot of wood construction at his summer house with it as one of the tools.

One thing I know you should watch out for is paying too much just for the name. Many of these tool companies, just like car companies, are so intermarried that the only difference might be the logo and a price hike. DeWalt is owned by Stanley Black&Decker, along with a score of other tool brands, for example. They saw the possibility to cut costs by joining up which probably means several of their brands come from the exact same factory.

DeWalt and Makita are both very good, the De Walts I have had have all been very sturdy but also very heavy which is pain for using up framing or when using the angle. I used to have a very good Bosch as well but the guard kept getting jammed after doing long cuts and ended up snapping off.
A mate of mine has a Stanley at the same size (190mm) which is great for working with pine but really struggles with any sort of hard woods. I would also recommend brushless if possible as it seems to be the most common thing to go wrong (other than people using it like a gas axe and not allowing the dust to clear when cutting).

Skilsaw and Ryobi are gak as are cordless jobs for anything other than hobbyists. What sort of jobs are you looking at using it for? and with what timber?

I switched from DeWalt to Milwaukee tools about three years ago, haven't looked back. They are the r0xx0rs bestest evar. Seriously, I love the Milwaukee stuff, it is incredibly durable and long lasting.

Thanks fella's. I'm using it for a jobsite saw so it needs to cut pretty much everything and be hard wearing. I think I like the Makita 5007.