Customer Reviews
You get what you pay for.. 
2007-08-12
This is one heck of a saw. I've been through several of the cheaper saws just because I'm a homeowner and really didn't plan on using a saw as much as I do. I could have bought this saw for what I spent on the others and the quality far exceeds the other saws I've owned. This is a quality saw that is top of the line for circular saws. If you need something bigger or better than this one, you'll need to jump up to the worm gear saws that are double or triple the price. One more thing, I'll never own a saw again that doesn't have the blade brake. Use this saw and you'll understand. Get the rip fence while you're here.
A good saw at a fair price, what more could you want?
Not made in USA- Still a Great Saw 2007-05-15
I purchased this saw based upon a recommendation for a similar saw rated highly in Consumer Reports. I should note that I did not purchase this from Amazon.com as I found one slightly less expensive at another site (shop around). Overall, the saw is fantastic with plenty of power and a great line of sight from virtually every cutting angle. This is an important attribute as it allows the user to see exactly where the teeth are cutting. The electric brake is marvelous- like a cell phone- once you have it you can't live with out it.
I am a weekend project person and the saw suits me fine although I'm sure you can find less expensive saws but if you want value and a five year warranty, purchase this saw. My only gripe is that when the saw arrived the "Made in" label was covered with white label tape. When peeled back it revealed that the saw was made in Mexico! Does this country make anything anymore?!!! What are they trying to hide?!! I guess it's the future- Globalization run amok. It should be noted that Milwaukee Electric Tool in not an American company, in fact, it is owned by Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI) a Hong Kong, China based company. I suppose it is only a matter of time before these saws are manufactured in China since the Chinese in some cases make even less than the lowest paid Mexican. The bottom line is purchase this saw now before the poor quality begins. Most of all write your Congressman and Senator to press for fair global trade.
Home owner 2007-01-19
I got the saw as a gift. Have been using it for the pass month. The saw is easy to handle. I really like that the key for changing the blade is stored on the saw. Home projects require changing the blade often for different tipes of work. Also, the height and angle adjustment are easy to use and worked well. There are only 2 thinks I would have liked. One would have been to have a guide bar included in the package. The other is to the ability to put a dust bag on the saw. That is not a big deal because my old saw had a dust bag and halve the time it did get in the way.
Near perfect saw 2007-01-19
An excelent saw. Good balance and grip for controll. Visibiity of the spinning saw blade is excellent. The price may be a very little bit of saw dust heading for the eyes but that's well worth being able to follow either side of the line without having to lean over the saw. Besides, eye protection is always a must. I'm right handed and I bought a right handed saw. Go Milwaukee! Norm
If you use a circular saw at least once a week 2006-08-28
This is the saw to buy if you are a tradesman who will be using this everyday. I am a carpenter, and I value good tools. This is a great tool. I have seen these saws abused and dropped and they stay true and cut well. Everyone likes using my saw now too, because of the electric brake. True it doesn't stop on a dime, but it stops quick enough. Spend the money and buy this saw if you plan on using it more than just around the house.
Beware Third Party Purchases 
2008-06-24
The one star is not for the tool, it is for the seller Northern Tool, and also for Amazon. I did a great deal of research on this saw, and for the most part it was rated very highly, and I have no reason not to believe that. Milwaukee has a great reputation for there tools. I have used may in the past and they have always been first rate.
I wanted to relay my experience with Amazon and Northern Tool to future customers so they can be better prepared for potential disappointment then I was.
I placed the order through Amazon for this saw, a Bosch jigsaw, and a Bosch jigsaw blade kit on May 23 2008 (the Bosch equipment was sold by Amazon directly). This was the first time I ordered something from Amazon that they themselves did not ship, but I was confident it would not be a big deal due to my experiences dealing with Amazon. Amazon has always fulfilled my order with the correct item and delivered them before the estimated delivery date, and I have always been more than pleased dealing with them. Amazon is always the first place I go to check for stuff I want. I value the reviews and have always found Amazon's pricing unbeatable.
I got the Bosch saw and blade kit on June 3, 2008 as promised, but the Milwaukee saw was not promised until June 16th. I was not pleased that it was going to take so much longer ordering through a third party, but it was the saw I wanted at the price I was willing to pay, so I waited. Well, June 16th came and went with no saw, so I tried contacting Amazon and was referred to contact Northern Tool as they were the actual sellers. This was also a bit disappointing. I was dealing with and paying Amazon for the saw, I would have guessed they would act as the intermediary for any inquiries. I sent Northern Tool and email asking when I could expect the saw. The following day I got an email from NT saying the saw would be backordered until late August 2008. I was irritated that it not only took three weeks to find out it was backordered, but I had to specifically ask in order to get that information. NT did not otherwise notify me of the backorder, let alone that they would miss the estimated delivery date.
I decided to cancel the order rather than wait another two months for a saw I needed. I contacted Amazon using there customer phone service. I will say, I thought it was pretty slick that I could type in my phone number on the computer screen and click on a radio button and my phone rang almost instantly. I was connected to a CSR pretty quick. Neat stuff! However, it was less than pleasurable dealing with the CSR. First off, the person could just barely speak any English. I had to repeat myself over and over before the CSR figured out what I wanted. At that time the CSR apparently was reading a scripted reply to my question. I tried to interject once she mentioned that I needed to contact the sell (Northern Tool) directly to tell her I had not done that, but she just started shouting over me and continued to read the script. Once she was done, I then tried to explain to her that I had not contacted the seller because I order the tool from Amazon and I want to know how the billing will be cancelled. The CSR just started reading the script again. I tried to stop her, but again she shouted over me and finished reading. I then asked to speak to a supervisor. The CSR, after a bit of an argument, told me should would get the supervisor, but it would take a long time for him to come to the phone. I was placed on hold, and there I sat for over 15 minutes before I hung up in disgust.
I sent Amazon a short email stating what happened and asked for someone to contact me personally by phone. Within an hour I received three emails back from Amazon, they contacted Northern Tool and cancelled the order. However, no one ever contacted me personally, and though they did apologize for my trouble and cancel the order, they never apologized for how rudely I was treated by there CSR or stated they would correct the problem.
I am building up my woodworking shop little by little, and in the end, I will spend a great deal of money. With this type of treatment, I don't think I will be doing any more third party purchasing through Amazon. I found the Milwaukee 6390-21, pretty much the same saw without the electric brake or replaceable cord; at Sears for $68 (Sears is discontinuing carrying the 6390-21, it was normally $149). It wasn't a hard decision to step down to the 6390 after what I went through.
Nice Saw 2007-11-06
This is my second circular saw. I liked the excellent visibility of the blade while cutting. It was easy to make accurate straight cuts just by watching the blade. It feels solid, powerful, and the blade stops very fast when the power comes off.
First Class Circular Saw !! 2007-10-21
Everything I expected came to fruition when I received this saw. It cuts like butter. The adjustable handle is great for old hands like mine. I have been using the same old B&D commercial circular saw for the past 15 years. It gave up the ghost so I had hoped to find something that could compare with it. Having researched I bought the Milwaukee 6394-21. What a great saw. I would expect this saw to out perform my old baby.
Dan, the wood butcher
questionable durability 
2007-10-05
At first this saw was great, nice sight lines from both sides, but after 6 months the brake rarely works, had to send it in to be serviced.
Good Saw 
2007-08-23
This saw is typical of Milwaukee standards. Very well built, convenient features (tilt-lok, tool storage for blade changing) and plenty of power. I opted for the 6394 because I wanted the quick-cord, and electric brake. Much like circulars saws from other manufacturers, the stock blade is not that great. The only issue I had was that the dust goes out rear-right side and I'm left-handed. Overall, it is a great saw and I would recommend it to anyone and actually my father-in-law bought one also and he is left-handed as well.
