A circular saw is a utilitarian workhorse and a useful addition to the toolkit of DIYers. Its most common function is to make cuts in a straight line on pieces of lumber. Knowing its parts makes using a circular saw easier.
Initially, mills used small to medium scale circular saws to cut through the large timber blocks. Even a few days earlier, rural Americans used a particular type of circular saw, namely cordwood saws to cut logs and slabs. Another particular type of circular saws, commonly known as cold saws, are used to cut down metals such as bronze, brass, and steel into a smaller and convenient size.
A hole saw and ring saw also use a rotary motion but are different from a circular saw. The use of a large circular saw in a saw mill is said to have been invented in 1813 by Tabitha Babbitt, a Shaker inventor, after she noted the inefficiency of the traditional saw pits used by the sawyers in her community and sought an improvement. Originally, circular saws in mills had smaller blades and were used to resaw lumber after it passed through an “Up and down” saw leaving both vertical and circular saw marks on different sides of the same piece.
With the right blade, a circular saw can be used to cut framing lumber, sheet goods, roofing, metal, masonry, and more. Since a circular- saw blade spins upward, the side that the blade enters will have a smoother cut edge than the side it exits. Types of Cuts Crosscuts: Nearly perfect crosscuts can be achieved by using a square to guide the foot of the saw.
circular saw uses Related Question:
What is a circular saw used for?
The circular saw is perhaps the most commonly used saw today, used extensively in both professional construction projects and DIY home improvement. This power tool uses a round metal blade edged with sharp teeth to cut an array of material such as woods, metals, cement block, brick, fiberglass, plastics and slate.
What materials can a circular saw cut?
A circular saw is one of the most common power tools in use today. With the appropriate blade, circular saws are capable of cutting wood, steel, masonry and ceramic tile. Our Circular Saw Buying Guide will help you find the designs and features that’ll make your projects a success.
Can I use a jigsaw instead of a circular saw?
Although a jigsaw can be used for most of the tasks that a circular saw can perform, including straight cuts and cuts on a tilt, the jigsaw uses that really take advantage of the tool’s qualities are jobs such as kitchen fitting and joinery, with their frequent need for complex cuts.
How do you use a circular saw without a table?
Fit your circular saw with an edge guide. Set the depth of the blade accurately enough for it to go through the wood and not cut under the surface. Place the guide on base of the circular saw lines and markings you made earlier on the wood. Ensure that the saw is free to move, and the power cord is not entangled.
Can you cut logs with a circular saw?
Circular saws are great for cutting plywood and 2x’s, but you can also cut everything from logs to concrete to steel beams with the right blade or the right type of saw.
Can a circular saw replace a table saw?
When wielded with enough skill and experience, a circular saw can replace a table saw. However, the time needed to accumulate the skills and knowledge makes a table saws’ price seen negligible in comparison.
Does a homeowner need a circular saw?
Most new homeowners will want a power saw of some kind, and a circular saw is a good starting point— can handle far more cuts than you’d think.
Can you cut steel with a circular saw?
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.
What is the difference between a table saw and a circular saw?
Circular saws are lightweight, hand-held, and can be moved from jobsite-to-jobsite with ease. A table saw is heavier and more complex in its set up. Because of its weight and footprint, this tool is more difficult to move these saws around as easily as you are able to do with a circular saw.
Can I use a metal circular saw to cut wood?
You can use a metal blade to cut wood. A circular saw blade cut metal in a sluggish rotational speed of 25m/s. They are driven by a motor having high power and an A/C vector drive. They are long lasting and non-reusable.
Is it better to buy a jigsaw or circular saw?
If you’re constantly needing to rip through boards, you know a jigsaw won’t cut it, so a circular saw is the more preferred option for you. If you’re doing intricate shapes and complex number cutting – a circular saw won’t help you there!
Which saw to get first?
A jigsaw is great for cutting curves and shapes, and it can also be used with a guide to make straight cuts, which is why this is the first power saw you should own. Unless you plan to rip long sheets of plywood, a jigsaw is preferable over a circular saw.
Which is better miter saw or circular saw?
A circular saw excels at breaking down sheet goods, and a miter saw is best for cutting down longer boards. A miter saw is more precise, due to the handheld nature of the circular saw. A circular saw is less expensive than a miter saw, and it’s more portable. A miter saw is safer to use than a circular saw.
How do you use a circular saw without a sawhorse?
In some cases, it might be better to use your circular saw without a sawhorse. If you need to make cuts without a work support, you can lay a sturdy, stationary surface under the material while making cuts.
Do I need a workbench to use a circular saw?
To get the most out of your saw, you’ll need a couple of pieces of equipment. For a start, we recommend a good work table or bench for supporting your material. There’s other ways of brace wood for cutting, but a workbench is by far the simplest and most straight forward method.
