All wood shops need a straight cutting power tool. The circular saw provides the reach and ease woodworkers need. Versatility, mobility, minimal space, and easy storage make the circular saw a power tool you can not afford to be without.
The circular saw buying guide that follows will help you identify choose the best circular saw for your needs. On worm drive circular saws, the electric motor sits behind the circular saw blade. You can not use a bigger saw blade than your circular saw can load. Also, circular saw blades have various tooth patterns, sizes, and counts that perform better on particular woodcuts.
Bring the saw up to full speed, lift the guard, and slowly push the body of the saw down to start the cut. TIP: Make sure to start back far enough so that you only push the saw forward; never drag a spinning saw back. If a board is too wide for the saw shoe to hang over the edge during a rip cut, hold a narrow scrap of wood between thumb and forefinger, bracing your finger along the edge of the board, and butt the saw shoe against the edge of the wood scrap as you push both along the board.
Buy a good circular saw now and you can expect to still be using it in 10 or 20 years. Many tool manufacturers now offer sets of power tools that use the same batteries, and if you already own several tools by one manufacturer, adding a cordless circular saw that uses the same batteries is an affordable option. A well-shaped handle and good balance can go a long way toward making a saw more comfortable and efficient to use, so don’t overlook these features when choosing a circular saw.
Using a Circular Saw for All Kinds of Cuts Whether you’re cutting 2x4s to length, breaking down plywood sheets into a manageable size, creating joinery or making angled and beveled cuts, reach for a do-it-all circ saw. Tips for Using a Circular Saw Cut angles easier Cutting angles can be tricky because the blade guard often catches on the material as the saw begins to cut, even with a no-catch blade guard. Upgrade with a DIY Track Guide A simple and inexpensive track guide will let you cut straight, accurate lines with any circular saw.
A circular saw shoe is the structure underneath the saw. Not to forget the fact that ball bearings create friction, which requires for the saw owner to oil the worm drive circular saw after every 10 hours or so. Here’s to putting it in a clear and simple way: amps are for corded circular saws, and Volts are for cordless circular saws.
why buy a circular saw Related Question:
What is a circular saw good for?
A circular saw is an essential DIY tool that uses a moving blade to make straight, accurate cuts. While circular saws are traditionally used to cut 2x4s, plywood, and other lumber, they can be outfitted with different blades to cut masonry, metal, and other materials.
Can you use a circular saw for everything?
The “circ saw” can cut wood of all sorts: dimensional construction lumber, solid hardwood stock, plywood, dense pressure-treated lumber for outdoor projects, engineered sheet goods like MDF and hardboard, and even small pieces of trim and millwork.
Why use a circular saw instead of a miter 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. A circular saw can make both rip cuts along the length of a board and cross cuts across the width of a board, but a miter saw can only make cross cuts.
What should a circular saw never be used for?
Do not use a saw that vibrates or appears unsafe in any way. Do not force the saw during cutting. Do not cut materials without first checking for obstructions or other objects such as nails and screws. Do not carry the saw with a finger on the trigger switch.
Are cheap circular saws any good?
Best Budget: Skil 5180-01 Circular Saw The Skil 5180-01 is an excellent budget option since it will give you reliable cutting power and durability at an affordable price. At just 7.2 pounds, it is a couple pounds lighter than the other top picks.
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.
Can you 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.
What can I cut with circular saw?
A circular saw is one of the most common power tools in use today. With the right blade, it can cut wood, steel, masonry and ceramic tile. Our guide will help you find the best circular saw and blade for your projects and give you tips to help you find the right circular saw blade for other saws.
Can you use a circular saw to cut baseboards?
You can also cut baseboard molding with a circular saw, but the vertical type of cut needed for baseboard requires that you tilt the base of the circular saw to 45-degrees. This is difficult and not recommended unless you are a professional because of possible kickback.
What saw should I buy 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.
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.
Is it safe to use a circular saw with one hand?
One hand on the saw is not a safe work practice, especially not for someone who self-describes as a novice. Hang on solidly for a few years and then see if you want to adopt a few bad habits.
What is the safest saw?
TYPE OF SAW: Jigsaw Considered one of the safer power saws, the jigsaw features a large flat base called a “shoe,” which rests flat on the surface of the material you’re cutting and surrounds the blade and offers some protection.
What’s the difference between a skill saw and a circular saw?
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.
How deep can a 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. Compact saws can use anywhere from 3 3/8-inch blades up to 6 1/2-inch blades.
