The circular saw is the best tool for fast and accurate cutting. That’s why we constantly test circular saws and use them in our own projects. What to Know About Circular Saws Circular saws are powerful tools that crosscut wood and rip it.
We test homeowner and professional circular saws the same way. We tried the saw in ripping, cross-cutting, and miter cuts. Its out-of-the-box accuracy is pretty good; to dial it in the rest of the way, the owner’s manual has the full rundown on the typical screws and stops to loosen and readjust just like a full-size miter saw.
To maximize a cordless circular saw’s performance, you have to match its blade to the job. Most saws come with a general-purpose 24-tooth woodcutting blade, but you can get a fast-cutting 18-tooth blade for construction lumber, a 40-tooth blade for plywood, and even a 90-tooth blade for paneling and vinyl siding. There are also metal-cutting blades for aluminum and steel.
While the saw is ideal for those purposes, you can also use it to make furniture-grade cuts in wood, cut steel or aluminum, reduce unwieldly sheets of plywood to more manageable sizes, and do heavy demolition cuts through lumber that has nails in it. These blades are rated for steel plate, pipe and conduit, and shapes such as L, U, and squares; some blades are also designed for cutting the same shapes in aluminum, and a few blades are even rated for making the cut in stainless steel, a notoriously difficult material to cut. Not all metal-cutting circular saw blades will cut thin sheet materials such a roofing and metal trim.
best circular saw popular mechanics Related Question:
What is the most popular circular saw blade?
Freud is a recognized industry leader, and Freud’s 40-Tooth Diablo blade, which offers unrivaled quality and fast, clean cutting, is a top general-purpose circular saw blade. The IRWIN Tools Marathon blade is a quality budget choice, ideal for a variety of yard and remodeling jobs.
Is Skil circular saw a good brand?
We researched the best circular saws available online, evaluating power, accuracy, durability, and ease of use. Our best overall pick, the SKILSAW SPT67WL-01 Circular Saw, is lightweight, has precision beveling adjustment, and is powered by a reliable 15 amp motor.
What should I look for when buying a circular saw?
Features that help you work effectively with a circular saw include accurate cutline markers, good blade visibility, smooth guard retraction, and a flat shoe set parallel to the blade. The best cutline markers line up exactly with the kerf cut by the saw. You want a notch no wider than a thin-kerf saw blade.
Is skil the same as skilsaw?
The company name was changed from SKILSAW Inc. to SKIL Corporation in 1952. Then, in November 2014, SKIL rebranded, making SKILSAW the brand serving the professional construction market and SKIL the brand serving the consumer do-it-yourself market.
What is a powerful circular saw?
The DEWALT Circular Saw is a strong electric power tool that allows cordless usage while on the go. This circular saw is powered by a strong battery system with a power rating of 20 volts. It also features a bevel gear design which allows users to cut two materials at 90° and one material at 45°.
Is a circular saw the same as a skill saw?
Circular Saws vs. All skill saws are circular saws. They all have circular blades that spin rapidly to bite through wood. However, not all skill saws are circular saws. Circular saws can be gas-powered, have sidewinder or hypoid designs, or even be fixed to radial arms, which skill saws commonly aren’t.
What are the 3 basic types of circular saw blades?
They are: Rip Blades, Crosscut, Combination and Specialty blades. Ripping saw blades are designed primarily to achieve a smooth, clean and safe cut when ripping wood or cutting in the same direction as the wood grain.
Is more teeth on a saw blade better?
More teeth means a smoother cut, fewer teeth means that the blade removes more material. Crosscut blades have more teeth and make smoother cuts across the grain of the material, rip blades have fewer teeth, are optimized to cut with the grain, and remove a lot more material.
What saw blade for ripping?
Ripping solid wood: Use a 24-tooth to 30-tooth blade. You can use 40-tooth to 50-tooth multipurpose blade as well, but it will take longer. Cross-cutting wood or sawing plywood: Use a 40-tooth to 80-tooth blade. You can use a 40-tooth to 50-tooth general purpose blade as well.
Does Makita make good circular saws?
Best Hypoid Circular Saw Makita, a reliable name in power tools, is one of the few manufacturers offering hypoid saws. With its lightweight magnesium construction, the Makita 5377-MG Circular Saw weighs only 13 pounds, light for a geared saw.
What saw is generally used by house framers?
A circular saw is the go-to tool for cross-cutting and ripping framing members and sheet stock like plywood.
Can a circular saw cut metal?
Cut Metal with Your Circular Saw It may not be an obvious choice, but fitted with the right blade, a circular saw is a great metal-cutting tool. In our test, it cut through rebar like a hot knife through butter. You can cut mild steel up to about 3/8 in. thick using a ferrous-metal-cutting blade.
How many teeth should a circular saw blade have?
Generally, blades with more teeth will provide a smoother, finer cut whereas blades with fewer teeth will provide a rougher cut. The benefit of fewer teeth is faster cutting and a lower price. For most construction work, a 24-tooth general use blade is sufficient.
Is it okay to cut wet wood with a circular saw?
If you’re cutting wet wood set the depth so that the entire gap between the teeth is clear of the board you’re cutting. This will stop your saw and cut line from getting clogged with wet saw dust.
How often should you change a circular saw blade?
They can last between 12 and 120 hours of continuous use, depending on the quality of the blade and material they’re used to cut.
