SKIL PWR CORE 20 Brushless 7-1/4 in. Rear Handle Circular Saw Kit (CR5429B-20, 2x 5.0Ah)

SKIL PWR CORE 20 Brushless 7-1/4 in. Rear Handle Circular Saw Kit (CR5429B-20, 2x 5.0Ah)

By SKIL · Circular Saws · Power Tools

  • Brushless rear-handle circular saw powered by two 20V PWR CORE 5.0Ah batteries
  • 5,300 RPM with intelligent power management
  • Includes 24-tooth 7-1/4 in. carbide-tipped blade
  • 0-53 degree bevel capacity, LED light, rafter hook and tether notch
  • Dual-port Auto PWR Jump charger, backed by a 5-year warranty

Lowest price seen
$279.00
from $279.00 at globalindustrial.com · Checked Oct 9, 2026

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

Summary

A brushless rear-handle circular saw kit that runs on two 20V PWR CORE batteries in series for 40V of cutting power, aimed at contractors and serious DIYers. Check the drive type before you buy: it is a helical gear drive, not a true worm drive, and the 5-year tool warranty needs registration within 30 days.

Strengths

  • Professional-level cutting power: Pro Tool Reviews scored it 9.4/10 and found it harder to stall than a corded Skil worm drive.
  • The low-friction aluminum shoe glides easily while staying stable through long rip cuts.
  • Dust and chip removal worked with or without a vacuum, with no clogging in testing.
  • Two 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port fast charger come in the kit, so heavy cutting runs on one purchase.
  • The 2-9/16 in. depth of cut clears 3X lumber in a single pass.
  • A sturdy tether-ready rafter hook suits work at height.

Weaknesses

  • The blade sits on the left with a rear handle, so your arm can block the cut line.
  • Bevel markings are hard to read, which slows angled cuts.
  • Cut quality trails more expensive rear-handle saws such as Milwaukee and DeWalt.
  • At 13.81 lb with batteries it is heavy, and heavier than sidewinder-style saws.
  • The 5-year warranty requires registration within 30 days; batteries and chargers get only 2 years.
  • No exact-model owner threads were accessible, so long-term reliability is unproven.

Verified specifications

ModelCR5429B-20 kit with two 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger; the bare tool is CR5429B-00.
Blade7-1/4 in. (184 mm), 24-tooth carbide-tipped.
MotorBrushless with a helical gear drive, powered by two 20V PWR CORE 5.0Ah batteries in series (40V combined).
No-load speed5,300 RPM.
Bevel0-53 degrees, with preset detents at 0 and 45.
Depth of cut2-9/16 in. (65 mm) at 90 degrees, 1-7/8 in. (47 mm) at 45 degrees.
Arbor5/8 in. (16 mm).
Weight10.23 lb (manufacturer, bare tool); 10.56 lb bare and 13.81 lb with two batteries (Pro Tool Reviews measured).
Dimensions18.11 × 8.03 × 8.27 in.
Battery and chargertwo 5.0Ah PWR CORE batteries (BY519603) and a dual-port Auto PWR JUMP charger (QC5359B-02) in the kit.
Warranty5-year on the tool with registration within 30 days; 2-year on batteries and chargers.
FeaturesLED light, rafter hook, tether notch, electric brake, dust blower, spindle lock and soft grip.
Usewood only (cross cuts, rip cuts, plunge cuts); not designed for metal or masonry.
Full research notes and sources

Power and cutting

Two 20V PWR CORE 5.0Ah batteries run in series for 40V, driving a brushless helical gear drive at 5,300 RPM. Despite marketing that compares it to a corded worm drive, the drive is helical, not a true worm drive. Pro Tool Reviews scored it 9.4/10: it cut 2x10 cross cuts, miters, bevels and compound cuts confidently, did not bog down in stacked plywood, and was harder to stall than the reviewer’s corded Skil worm drive. Push it hard enough and you can stall the blade, but not at normal cutting speeds. The 2-9/16 in. depth of cut handles 3X lumber in one pass.

Weight, balance and handling

Pro Tool Reviews measured 10.56 lb bare and 13.81 lb with two batteries; the manufacturer lists 10.23 lb for the bare tool. That is comparable to the Milwaukee M18 Fuel (13.7 lb) and the DeWalt FlexVolt (13.8 lb), and only the Makita XSR01 (12.7 lb) is meaningfully lighter among the saws PTR compared. The aluminum shoe is low-friction and balances stability with an easy glide. Expect the rear handle to feel different from a sidewinder, and check whether the left-side blade leaves your arm in the sightline.

Batteries, blades and running costs

The kit includes two 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port Auto PWR JUMP charger. SKIL says to use 5Ah batteries or higher, though the manual also lists a 2.5Ah pack as compatible; treat that as a documentation mismatch rather than a real option. There are no mandatory consumables beyond replacement blades and eventual battery replacement after the 2-year battery warranty. Blade changes and cleaning are the only user service documented; SKIL directs other work to a factory or authorized service center and warns that unauthorized maintenance can disturb internal wiring. A December 2024 CPSC recall covers a different SKIL 40V battery (BY8708-00) sold with outdoor equipment, not the BY519603 packs in this kit, but it is a brand-level note.

Is it worth it?

At $249 at launch in January 2022 the kit was strong value, and Pro Tool Reviews noted competing rear-handle kits cost $100-200 more at the time. SKIL now lists it at $279.99, Lowe’s and Ace Hardware at $279.99, and Walmart at $279.00. Below $250 it is an easy recommendation; from $251 to $280 it stays competitive but the margin narrows; above $280 it is weak value unless you specifically want the SKIL PWR CORE 20 battery platform. The two included batteries and the fast charger are what keep the math on your side.

Which model this is

This page covers the CR5429B-20 kit, which ships with two 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger; the bare tool is CR5429B-00. Do not confuse it with the CR5429B-01 single-battery kit or older brushed SKIL saws. The saw uses a helical gear drive with the motor at the rear of the tool. The Amazon listing is ASIN B09RGYBCHG.

Sources

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Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

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