For about 55 bucks, you could treat the family to a movie and some popcorn, or you could buy the Black & Decker Firestorm FS1300CSL laser circular saw. Go for the saw.

It's a solid starter tool -- basic but effective. We'd recommend this Black & Decker model for most household cutting tasks. It may not be the most powerful tool on the market, but it's a great value for the price. Although the 13-amp motor is Firestorm's least hefty, it delivers enough torque for most everyday jobs. At 5,000 rpm, it can cut through material up to 2-3/8 inches thick at 90 degrees and 1-13/16 inches thick at 45 degrees.

The FS1300CSL has an onboard laser that shoots out a bright, high-intensity beam, as well as calibrated depth adjustment, both of which ensure straighter cuts. The laser is mounted inside the blade guard, turns on and off with the touch of a button and eliminates the guesswork that accompanies tough-to-follow pencil lines, low lighting conditions or sawdust, which can obscure your view. It's a great feature, particularly for this tool's less-than-$55 price.

As far as the design goes, there's not too much to find fault with. The pro-style bail handle is a nice touch and provides a good amount of control. It's located on the left side of the saw, though, so if that's not the most comfortable position for you, you might be better off with a model that uses an in-line handle.

This model comes with a 7-1/4-inch, 18-tooth carbide blade, which doesn't cut as smoothly as some other blades with a higher tooth count, but it is adequate for most household projects. The Firestorm FS1300CSL laser circular saw has a 12-foot cord, which gives you enough room to work. It's covered by a 2-year warranty.


Pros: Onboard laser, nicely designed
Cons: Blade's tooth count could be higher, lower power

Warranty
2 years