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DIYers have a wide variety of ignore tool available to them , but few are as convenient and versatile as thecircular adage . This power tool feature an electric motor that spin a pear-shaped blade at high f number , enabling users to shorten through dense timber , plyboard , and other materials in seconds .
They ’re tight , efficient , and accurate , and any DIYer can find out how to use a circular proverb with some confidential information and practice . The followers will teach you everything you involve to know about this useful tool .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Parts of a Circular Saw
Before handle a round saw for the first time , it ’s of import to get familiar with some of the private part .
4 Types of Circular Saws to Know
As is the case with most power tools , there are differenttypes of circular sawsavailable . While they all serve well the same general purpose , each type has its strengths and weakness .
1. Sidewinder Circular Saw
Sidewinder circular saws have galvanising motor ride inline with the blade , and the blade basically get on to the output shaft of the motor . They ’re summary and lightweight compared to squirm campaign manikin , and the blade spin at very eminent speed . These proverb are very low upkeep and easy to maintain , but they are n’t as torquey as a dirt ball drive . And , as far ascordless circular sawsgo , they ’re preponderantly sidewinder .
Our passport : DEWALT 7 1/4 - column inch Circular get word at The Home Depot for $ 159Dewalt ’s 7 1/4 - column inch rotary saw has a low-spirited - maintenance Crotalus cerastes invention with plenty of adjustability , as well as features like onboard wrench repositing and a ramp up - in detritus electric fan .
2. Worm Drive Circular Saw
When it comes to thin out through thick baseball bat and timbers such as 4x4s , 6x6s , and the similar , a worm cause orbitual power saw is the fashion to go . These saw have motor put on inline with the handgrip , as well as a set of gears that connect to the blade . This increases torque hugely , but also increases size of it and free weight . These saws often have sustainment requirements as well , call for even oiling and cleaning to continue performance .
Our Recommendation : Skilsaw 7 1/4 - inch Worm Drive Circular Saw on Amazon for $ 159Skilsaw ’s 7 1/4 - inch worm drive orbitual saw is the gold standard in worm drive , with plenty of torque , lightweight magnesium division , and tons of adjustability not found in other models .
3. Compact Circular Saw
Sometimes , a full - size byword is n’t necessary and can in reality make a job more intriguing . In those case , acompact rotary sawmight accommodate the bill . These saws have blades that rank between 4 inch and 5 - 3/8 in . They ’re also mostly made of polymer plastics , which keeps them lightweight but durable .
Our Recommendation : Makita 18V LXT Cordless Circular interpret on Amazon for $ 213Makita ’s XSS03Z 18V LXT succinct circular saw weighs just 6 lbf. ( with the assault and battery ! ) and deliver up to 3,600 rpm , allowing it to handle elusive materials with its 5 - 3/8 - column inch blade .
4. Track Saw
Cutting perfectly straight is achievable with a standard orbitual saw , but atrack sawhelps hasten the process and reduces room for error . These saws have long track guides that lay on or clamp to the fabric , and the saw rides in those tracks . This produces straight cuts that are quick and easy to lie out .
Though these saw are seldom capable of cutting as thick as a standard round saw , many can cut bevels with more accuracy . Inexplicably , most saws do n’t add up with cartroad , so they ’ll necessitate to be a disjoined purchase .
Our good word : DEWALT Cordless Track envision at Acme Tools for $ 619DeWalt ’s Track Saw outfit have a 6 - 1/2 - inch steel , adjustable depths of cut , 45 - degree bevel , and a brawny 12 - A motor .
Illustration: John B. / Fiverr
Circular Saw Safety Tips
Circular adage are commodious and can be very safe when used properly . But it might find a flake intimidating to learn how to practice a circular power saw for beginners . The following tips can help .
Circular Saw Setup and Calibration
Circular saws are generally easy to set up and use , but there are a few things to know before using one . First , place the sawing machine on top of the material being cut so the brand is hanging off the edge and the plate is two-dimensional against the surface . loose the depth alteration , adjust the sword profoundness so it ’s around 1/4 inch cryptic than the material ’s thickness , and interlock the depth lever back down .
For solid cold shoulder , it ’s important to ensure the blade is fructify at a true 90 degrees . Unplug the sawing machine or take out its battery and bend it over . Slide the blade safeguard out of the way and place aspeed squareor frame public square against the leaf blade and the bottom of the plate . If this does n’t lead in a pure paroxysm , loosen the bevel square adjustments and maneuver the plate into place until it is .
How to Use a Circular Saw for Cross Cuts
When it follow to what a round saw is used for , the most vernacular reply is cross - bleak , such as foreshorten put lumber to distance ( across the texture ) . Doing so is pretty prosperous and safe for those who know how to use a saw like this . Here ’s one method .
Step 1: Mark the board to length with a framing square.
Circular byword do n’t cut straight mechanically like a miter saw , so it ’s authoritative to pit the instrument panel with an accurate job to fall out . Make a Deutschmark at the desired cut emplacement and consist aframing squareat the mark . sop up a dismal consecutive line at the fool and double learn it for accuracy .
Pro tip : If crabbed - cutting rescued wood , correspond for any nails or screws that might be in the way to prevent leaf blade hurt .
Step 2: Place and secure the board to the work surface.
A uncompromising work open is a requirement , but it does n’t have to be fancy . A hand truck bed , twosawhorses , or even a lumber pile make fine surfaces , as long as there is n’t a luck of accidentally rationalise into something other than the wood you ’re working with .
Provide enough elbow room to stand up on the long side of the board as this will provide the most leverage for holding the add-in in situation while cut . Use your free helping hand to hold the board against the study control surface with downward pressure . For increase constancy , usewoodworking clampsto attach the board to the work airfoil .
Step 3: Cut the board.
Without come out the saw , place the front of the plate on top of the board and touch the cutting off communication channel with the leaf blade . Back the blade up slightly , press the safety substitution , and pinch the trigger .
Watching the front of the steel , guide the saw through the cutline . Be careful not to put sideways air pressure on the blade or else the cold shoulder may terminate up crooked . leave the rubbish timber to fall to the undercoat after cutting , and allow the steel to come up to a stop before placing the saw down cautiously .
How to Use a Circular Saw for Rip Cuts
Rip cuts can be tricky with a rotary sawing machine ( especially without a track ) , but they ’re sure doable . Here ’s how to cut with a round saw down the duration of a board ( ripping ):
Step 1: Create a flat stable work surface.
Ripping woods can be very awkward , so this is another scenario where the workplace Earth’s surface is important . For ripping , a series of sacrificial2x4slaid across a flat driveway works just fine , as dowooden sawhorseswith sacrificial tops . Just be sure that the power saw is n’t going to unintentionally swerve something that count .
Step 2: Mark the board accurately.
Whether ripping a piece of timber or a sheet of plywood , the marks need to be accurate . In many cases , the easiest way to carry through this is by mark the board at either goal , stretching a crank line between the marks , and snapping a pipeline on the open . Otherwise , a combining square , T - square , storey , or astraight edge clampcan do the trick .
Step 3: Line up the saw and start cutting.
Place the front of the denture on the board and line the blade up with the mark . Back the blade up more or less , press the safety substitution , and squeeze the trigger . Carefully guide the blade down the cut , take in the front of the blade to verify it stays on the line . Guide the sawing machine as far as safely possible before adjusting your spot .
Step 4: Adjust your position as you go.
For prospicient rips , it might be necessary to reposition several times before the deletion is complete . First , do not have go of the saw until the brand lay off . Once the blade cease , repositing to proceed the cut safely . Then , back the saw up slightly before start the sword again . Repeat as necessary until the cut is gross .
Lumber with a wavelike grain , such as framing orpressure - treat lumber , can persuade the leaf blade to follow the cereal and number off of the line . It ’s best to run slowly with these stuff , and keep a firm grip ( and eye ) on the proverb ’s path .
Pro pourboire : When check how to dilute straight with a rotary sawing machine , it ’s often beneficial to lower the leaf blade ’s profoundness as much as potential . This make more rubbing , but it also allows more of the steel ’s flavourless surface to come in liaison with the woods , helping the saw track straight . Just be certain there is n’t anything underneath the workpiece , or the saw might cut it .
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Circular Saw Maintenance Tips
Maintaining a circular sawing machine properly will serve you get as much utile life out of the tool as possible . These tips will help you function the tool safely for many age to get along .
Final Thoughts
When it get along to versatility , there are many rotary saw uses . While a orbitual saw is not as accurate as a miter or table saw , it can do the job of both in many situations . fortify with this information , anyone can learn to practice these top executive putz safely and with enough preciseness to get many kinds of line of work done .
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Photo: Amazon
Photo: Amazon
Photo: The Home Depot
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
