I own a Porter-Cable 15 amp (which I love) and one of these.  I've had the P-C over a year and this Skil, which I just got a couple days ago, blows the Porter Cable away!  I'm not a contractor, but I understand fully why contractors out West love them.  This is one beefy machine with tons of power to cut anything.  I tried twisting it in a cut to test it and it only slowed a little, while the P-C nearly stops!  A great buy for DIY-er or professional.