Woodworkers often start with circular saws as their first power tool. These saws are portable, powerful, and inexpensive. There are many options. What type of circular saw should you choose? How do you use your circular saw once it’s home? Is it time to find the best circular saw for you? Our guide, The Best Circular Saw Buyers Guide is available.
Different Types Of Circular Saws
There are three types of circular saws: sidewinder, cordless, and worm drive. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some types shine in certain applications, while others struggle. You should consider what type of projects you are interested in. Do you want a DeWalt circular-saw? DeWalt Circular saw Overview.
Sidewinder saws have their motor mounted parallel to the blade. These saws are the most economical. These saws can be used as a general purpose tool. These saws are lightweight enough to be carried around and strong enough to cut any material. Sidewinder saws are not recommended if you work in harsh conditions.
The sidewinder design of cordless circular saws is used, however they have a smaller blade size than corded ones. These saws are ideal for those who travel a lot or work in remote areas. These saws are not as powerful as corded ones. These saws are also more expensive.
A worm gear drives the blade of a worm drive saw. Worm drive saws have a greater torque to drive the blade so they don’t bog down when cutting through thick or hard materials. These saws are great for cutting large boards or ripping long pieces of hardwood. Worm drive saws are heavy and expensive.
Types Of Circular Saw Blades
After you have selected your saw, it is time to look at other blades. Make sure you use the right size blade for your saw. The wrong size blade can cause damage to your saw and be dangerous. Common blade sizes are 5 in, 6 in, 7 inches, 7 and 25 cm.
Different blades can have different number of teeth. Smaller teeth can make fine cuts, but they work slower. While blades with fewer, larger teeth work faster, they leave a rougher surface that is more prone to tear-out. Fine teeth are better for furniture and finish products, while coarse teeth can be used to frame buildings.
Circular Saw Blades That Can Be Changed
Start by disconnecting the power cord or battery from your circular saw to change the blade. The blade guard should be pulled back. This is possible with some saws. Some saws will require you to hold the blade using vise-grips, pliers or other tools. The wrench included with your saw will help you remove the blade arbor bolt and take out the old blade.
Follow the steps in reverse to install the blade. Circular saw blades can only be used in one direction. You should inspect the blade for markings that indicate which direction it is turning. Install the blade in the saw. Lock it in place and then re-install your arbor bolt. You are now ready to cutalmost with your new blade.
The Circular Saw Blade:
To ensure that your blade matches the shoe, you should use a square before you begin cutting. Although circular saws are equipped with markings to indicate the angle at which the shoe should be cut, these markings can sometimes be inaccurate. Place the square against the blade, and then set the maximum depth of the blade. Adjust the bevel if the blade is not perfectly square with the shoe.
Adjusting Circular Saw Blade Depth
Set the depth of your blade to just a little more than the material before you begin cutting. This is important for two reasons. You are safer if there isn’t a lot of blade visible below the cut. If you have legs or fingers below the cut line (God forbid), having less blade exposed could make a difference in stitches and major surgery.
This makes it easier to use the saw to make cuts. The saw will cut more smoothly and bind less if there is more blade visible to the cutting. This will make your saw last longer and cut faster.
Tips For Smooth Cutting
The top side of circular saws produces a lot more tear-out-small, splintering that is torn from the top of the workpiece. Nobody cares if you’re cutting framing members that are hidden within walls. Tear-out is a problem if you’re cutting furniture material that will be displayed.
There are several ways to reduce tear-out. You can start by using a fine-toothed knife. Finer teeth cause less tear-out. To hold the wood grain in its place, you can cover the cut line using masking tape. Woodworkers swear to using a marking gauge or utility knife to pre-cut fibers along the cut lines. To prevent tear-out, you can place a sacrificial platter between the workpiece and the saw. A guide rail is another way to ensure smooth cuts. For more information, see The Best Circular Saw Guide Rail System.
Cut Thick Material
Sometimes, you will need to cut material that is thicker than the blade’s maximum depth. Start by drawing a line around the piece. Cut along one side of board with the blade. Then turn the board 90°, align the blade with the last cut, and then cut again. Continue cutting and rotating until the board is all around.
You may need to use a handsaw for large pieces. To make the final cut easier, start with a circular saw. Your handsaw cuts will be accurate if you use a circular saw to guide your handsaw.
A Circular Saw Is A Good Tool For Cutting Bevels
You may need to cut boards at angles other than 90 degrees for some projects. Many circular saws are capable of cutting bevels and straight cuts. Turn the bevel adjustment knob on your circular saw to cut bevels. Then tilt the shoe at the right angle. To ensure that your blade angle matches the plans, use a protractor.
Make A Circular Saw Rip Fence
It can be difficult to make straight, long cuts with a handheldsaw. A rip fence is often used by professionals to make it easier to cut and lay out their saw. Make a rip fence by cutting two pieces of plywood to the same length as the material you are ripping. The width of one piece should be approximately two inches, while the other should measure twelve inches.
The narrow piece should be placed on top of the wider piece, leaving at least eight inches clearance on one side and two on the opposite. Make sure the narrow piece is straight and level before you glue it or screw it down. The narrower piece can be used as a fence, and the edge of the larger board can be trimmed. You can repeat the process with the other side of your narrow board and the narrow side. Now you have a rip fence.
Simply clamp your fence on your workpiece with the edge following your cut line. To ensure straight cuts every time, slide the saw along the fence.
Crosscut Jig To Make A Circular Saw
The same method can be used to make a crosscut-jig. The crosscut fence is longer than the rip fencing. The jig also features a small lip at the bottom. This allows you to align the jig with your workpiece’s edge for a perfect angle. Crosscuts can be made by placing the jig on your workpiece along with the cut line. Then, pull the lip against the edge to make the crosscuts. Crosscuts will always be perfect if you install the lip correctly.
With A Circular Saw, Plunge Cuts
Sometimes, you will need to make a cut in the middle of a piece of workpiece when installing a sink or countertop. These holes can be cut using plunge cutting. Mark the lines you want to cut before making plunge cuts. Place the shoe’s edge against the workpiece, and tilt the saw so that the blade is in front of it.
After the saw is placed, remove the blade guard carefully and align the blade to the cut line. Slowly lower the saw onto the workpiece by engaging the blade. Continue following the cut line until it reaches the corner of your hole. Turn the saw upside down and start cutting at the opposite corner. This process should be repeated for each edge.
The saw blade is circular so you won’t be able cut to the corners. You can finish the corners using a jigsaw or a handsaw.
This is the fastest and most efficient way to cut holes, even if you need to use a handsaw.
Speed Square
Framing will require you to cut rafters that have angled ends. A speed square is the best tool to mark angles. Although it’s a simple tool, a speed square can be a great companion to your circular saw. A speed square is useful for marking angles. It can also be used to make quick cuts or mark rip lines.
Dado Cuts
Advanced joinery can be attempted once you are comfortable with your circular saw. Joinery refers to the joining of pieces of wood in a stronger manner. A dado joint is one common joint that you can make using a circular saw. A dado joint simply consists of a slot that holds the edge in the next piece securely.
Draw a dado on both sides of your workpiece to cut the dado. Your blade depth should match the dado in the plans. The blade will typically be slightly less than half of the thickness. Cut one edge with a rip fencing, then slide your fence over 1/8 inch. Continue cutting. Continue cutting in this manner until you have a clear channel for your joint.
