SKIL 15 Amp 7-1/4 in. Corded Circular Saw with Laser (5280-01)

SKIL 15 Amp 7-1/4 in. Corded Circular Saw with Laser (5280-01)

By SKIL · Circular Saws · Power Tools

  • 15-amp corded motor, 2.5 horsepower, up to 5,300 RPM
  • 7-1/4 in. carbide blade, 2-7/16 in. cut capacity
  • Single-beam laser guide for accurate cuts
  • 51-degree bevel with positive stop at 45 degrees
  • Dust blower and spindle lock, blade included

Lowest price seen
~$69.00 (approx.)
from $69.00 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

The SKIL 5280-01 is a 15-amp corded circular saw with a 7-1/4-inch blade for DIYers and homeowners who want a laser guide, a dust blower and a 51-degree bevel at a budget price. Check before you buy: there is no electric brake, so the blade coasts to a stop after you release the trigger.

Strengths

  • The 15-amp motor cuts knots and pressure-treated lumber without bogging down, according to owner reports.
  • TechGearLab scored it 77/100 and ranked it #3 of the 10 saws it tested.
  • The laser guide is factory-aligned to the supplied blade and is the most-praised feature in Lowe’s reviews.
  • It weighs 8.7 lb, about 15% less than the older SKIL 5680.
  • The dust blower keeps the cut line clear when you work outdoors.
  • It ships with a 24-tooth carbide blade, a blade wrench and a carrying bag.

Weaknesses

  • There is no electric brake, so the blade coasts after you release the trigger.
  • No rip fence and no rafter hook are included.
  • The base-plate sight line measured about 1/32 in. off in TechGearLab’s check.
  • The laser washes out in bright sunlight; one reviewer switched to a chalk line outdoors.
  • The bevel markings are stamped but unpainted and hard to read in some light.
  • The 1-year warranty is shorter than the 3-5 year warranties on some pro-tier saws.

Verified specifications

Model5280-01 (configuration F0125280AA).
Power120 V AC, 15 A, 60 Hz; 2.5-horsepower motor.
Motordirect drive, up to 5,300 RPM no-load.
Blade7-1/4 in. 24-tooth carbide-tipped, included.
Arbor5/8 in., round.
Bevel51 degrees, with a positive stop at 45 degrees.
Depth of cut2-7/16 in. at 90 degrees; 1-15/16 in. at 45 degrees.
Lasersingle-beam guide, factory-set in line with the supplied blade.
Dust blowerintegrated, keeps the line of cut clear.
Cord length6 ft.
Weight8.7 lb; TechGearLab measured 8.1 lb without the cord.
Dimensions6.375 in. high, 10.75 in. wide (SKIL); retailer length figures range from 10.75 to 14.2 in.
Materialssteel shoe, resin motor and gear housing, metal blade guard.
Safetyguarded trigger, power-on indicator, anti-snag lower guard, and a Vari Torque clutch that lets the blade slip under load to reduce kickback.
Includedsaw, 24-tooth carbide blade, blade wrench and carrying bag.
Warranty1-year limited.
CertificationscULus and CSA.
Country of originChina.
Full research notes and sources

Motor and cutting performance

The 5280-01 runs a 15-amp, 2.5-horsepower direct-drive motor at up to 5,300 RPM and ships with a 24-tooth carbide blade. TechGearLab bought the saw and measured it at 8.1 lb without the cord, with a maximum depth of cut of 2-1/3 in. Their timed cuts: a 10-foot rip through a 2x12 in 13 seconds, a 6x12 cross cut in 2.65 seconds, 6x12 dense wood in 2.49 seconds, and a 2-inch galvanized steel pipe in 7.14 seconds with a 48-tooth metal blade. It scored 77/100 and ranked #3 of the 10 saws they tested. Popular Mechanics’ 2020 test ripped and crosscut Douglas fir and Hem fir, made plunge cuts and plywood gang cuts, and found the shoe flat with accurate angle and depth settings.

Laser, sight line and dust

The single-beam laser is set at the factory to line up with the supplied blade, and it is the feature owners mention most often in Lowe’s reviews; zamd.net measured it accurate to 1/16 in. over 8 feet. Two catches: it is hard to see in bright sunlight, and Popular Mechanics called it “a gimmick” for framing crosscuts because the beam stops pointing at the wood shortly after the cut starts. The base-plate sight line measured about 1/32 in. off in TechGearLab’s check, so the laser is the more accurate guide. The dust blower clears the line of cut outdoors but blows sawdust around during indoor work.

Build, maintenance and warranty

The price shows in the materials: a steel shoe rather than magnesium, and a resin motor and gear housing rather than metal. The saw is made in China and carries a 1-year limited warranty, where several pro-tier rivals run 3 to 5 years. Upkeep is simple: replace the carbide blade when it dulls, clear the dust chute, and check the bevel detent. SKIL publishes an owner’s manual with maintenance, troubleshooting and warranty sections, plus a downloadable parts list. The 6 ft cord is short for many job sites, so budget for an extension cord.

Is it worth it?

At $69.99 direct from SKIL (skil.com, 2026-10-08) or $69.98 at Lowe’s, the saw competes with machines costing two to three times as much on cross-cut and rip tests. Menards listed it at $69.00 with an 11% rebate ($7.59) at check time; Toolup at $69.99, Sutherlands at $71.96, Global Industrial at $72.95, Imperial Supplies at $83.26 and Toolmarts at $86.34. Below $70 it is easy to recommend for occasional and moderate DIY work. Between $71 and $90 it is still a fair buy; compare it with the SKIL 5180 14-amp at $59.99 and the SKIL 5080 13-amp at $44.99 if you do not need the laser and bevel. Above about $100 the case weakens against pro-tier corded saws with electric brakes and magnesium shoes, which the source lists in the $149-199 range, and above $120 the price advantage is gone.

Which model this is

This page covers the SKIL 5280-01, a corded right-side-blade sidewinder sold in the US at 120 V; one retailer lists the internal configuration code F0125280AA. It is not the older SKIL 5680, the 14-amp 5180 or the 13-amp 5080, or the professional worm-drive Skilsaw line. The US listing is ASIN B01BD81BLO.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Parts and stores:

Buying guides for this category

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