If you don’t have a table saw handy, and the rip cut doesn’t have to be precise, then a circular saw works fine. Then align the saw with your mark and let gravity help pull the saw through the cut. Making long narrow rip cuts with a circular saw is easy if you use your index finger as a guide.
Adjusting the height of the blade changes the saw’s cutting depth, which is important for safety and efficiency while making cuts. You’ll often hear the advice to set the blade’s cutting depth just a hair beyond the thickness of whatever you’re cutting. Let’s take a look at how to adjust the height of a circular saw in step-by-step detail.
In this Circular Saw 101 video, This Old House contributor Mark Clement demonstrates how to adjust the depth of the blade on your circular saw to maximize its potential. Learn how to safely operate the tool, avoid excess friction, and create a cleaner cut by correctly setting the saw and adjusting the blade’s depth.
how big circular saw do i need Related Question:
How do I know what size circular saw to get?
Circular Saw Features Blade capacity determines the maximum depth of cut a saw can achieve. The larger the blade, the deeper the cut. The most common blade diameter is 7-1/4 inches. Most saws with blade capacities of 6 inches or more can cut through 2-inch dimensional lumber at a 45-degree angle in a single pass.
What size circular saw Do I need to cut 2X4?
You need a minimum 5-3/8 inch size circular saw blade to cut a 2X4 at a 90 degree angle in one cut which is a crosscut. If you want to cut a 45 degree bevel with this size circular saw it will take 2 cuts. You could go with a 7-1/4inch or 10 inch blade to avoid making multiple cuts with the 45 degree bevel angle.
Can a 6.5 inch circular saw cut a 2X4?
The 6.5 will cut up to 2 1/16”, while the 7 ¼” cuts up to 2 ⅜”. Minor sure, but it’s when you tilt them into 45 degree angles, that the 7 ¼” can do something the 6.5 can’t. Cut through a 2×4.
What size circular saw Do I need to cut 4×4?
The best way to cut a 4×4 post is by using a 12-inch miter saw, 10-inch radial arm saw, both of which can cut completely through a post in one pass, or a standard circular saw that can make precise cuts in two passes with the help of a simple jig.
How deep can a 6 1 2 inch circular saw cut?
The 18V Brushless Lithium Ion 6-1/2 Inch Deep Cut Circular Saw (C18DBALQ4) is a revolutionary cordless circular saw utilizing a 6-1/2″ blade which allows a 2-19/32″ cutting depth, making it one of the deepest cutting cordless circular saws on the market. This circular saw has a similar cut capacity as a 7-1/4″ saw!
How deep can a 6 1 2 circular saw cut?
Depth. A 6 ½ circular saw can cut materials up to 2.5 inches. It’s perfect for cutting small materials for a small DIY project.
Will a 5.5 circular saw cut a 2×4?
The Ryobi cicular saw is a 5.5″ saw, and it can cut a 2×4, just barely.
How thick of wood can a 5 1 2 circular saw cut?
The blade, located on the left side, cuts up to 1-3/4-inch at 90 degrees and 1-3/16-inch at 45 degrees.
How thick of wood can a 7 1 4 circular saw cut?
Circular Saw Sizes Standard-size saws use 7 1/4-inch blades and can cut a maximum depth of about 2 1/2 inches.
What is the most popular size circular saw?
The most common and useful size for DIYers is 7 and 1/4 inches. Saws this size will cut through material more than 3-inches thick, and they also offer the widest variety of blade choices for cutting substances other than wood.
Will a 7 1 4 circular saw cut a 4×4?
Standard circular saws with 7 ¼” blades can only cut 2 ½” deep, so making the cut in a single pass isn’t possible. That means you’ll need to make multiple passes to cut clean through the 4×4, and this can result in a poor finish unless you take steps to ensure your cuts line up perfectly with each other.
How deep can a 12 inch circular saw cut?
To sum up, a standard circular saw can offer a cutting depth of 2.5 inches as the maximum, but you can adjust the depth to match your requirements. It’s easy by moving the blade up and down to align against the material before starting to cut.
Can a 10 inch blade cut a 4×4?
Ten-inch blades really don’t react well on 4x4s. They go dull much faster, and eventually, you won’t be able to sharpen them enough to make quality cuts in the future.
Can I use a bigger blade on my circular saw?
The answer is generally this is not a great idea. A larger blade will put excess stress on the motor, and may not have enough strength to provide the cutting power at the tooth you need.
How deep can a 10 inch circular saw cut?
Makita 5104 14 Amp 10-1/4-Inch Circular Saw This large cutting capacity sidewinder can reach depths of 3 ¾ inches at 90 degrees, which allows users to easily cut into some timbers.
