Abstract: A circular saw includes a footplate and an upper guard coupled to a saw blade. The footplate has a width between two lateral edges in a direction perpendicular to the saw blade. The upper guard has a radius extending from the axis of the blade to the outermost surface of the upper guard in the radial direction. A DC brushless motor is drivingly coupled to the saw blade and is disposed above the footplate. The motor has a rotational axis within forty five degrees of parallel to the width of the footplate, or within forty five degrees of parallel to the radius of the upper guard. The motor extends towards one of the lateral edges of the footplate in the width direction, or towards the outermost surface of the upper guard in the radial direction.