| A circular saw is a great tool and one of the | | | | uses. If you would like a more in depth |
| most common tools in the workshop. It was | | | | explanation on saw blades please follow this link - |
| invented in England back in 1780. The circular saw | | | | Blades. |
| is also known as a buzz saw or commonly called | | | | Steel Blades - Inexpensive and good for |
| the Skil saw, even though Skil is a manufacturer | | | | softwood. Hardwood will make steel blades dull |
| that makes circular saws. With the right blade, a | | | | very quickly. |
| circular saw is capable of cutting wood, steel, | | | | Carbide Blades - Will stay sharp longer than steel |
| masonry and ceramic tile. Circular saws come in | | | | blades, but more expensive. |
| different sizes ranging from 3" to 16". The most | | | | Tile Blades - Usually have diamond tip blades and |
| common corded size is 7 1/4" and cordless is 5 3 | | | | are designed especially for cutting ceramic tile. |
| 8" & 6 1/2". There are two types of circular | | | | Masonry Blades - These blades are made for |
| saws: IN-Line Saws and Worm Drive Saws. | | | | cutting concrete, brick, cinder block and other |
| In-Line Saw - These are the most common types | | | | masonry material. They are made of abrasive |
| of circular saws and tend to be the least | | | | material. |
| expensive. In addition, they don't weigh as much | | | | What to look for when buying a circular saw |
| as the Worm Drive saws. An In-line saw's motor | | | | I would definitely look for a circular saw that |
| sits perpendicular to the blade and a shaft runs | | | | accepts 7 1/4 blades. These are the most |
| directly from the motor to drive the blade. An | | | | common blades; therefore making it easier to buy |
| In-Line saw will suit most of your applications, and | | | | blades down the road. Also I would look for a |
| except for changing the blades, they are | | | | saw with a long cord, as you would be surprised |
| maintenance free. | | | | how many cords are very short. You can always |
| Worm Drive Saw - A worm drive is for heavy | | | | add an extension cord on, but I would look for a |
| duty use and tends to cost a little more than the | | | | cord that is at least 8 feet in length. Another |
| In-Line saws. A worm drive motor is positioned | | | | primary item to look for is an adjustable base |
| parallel with the blade and uses a gear to increase | | | | plate. This is good for making angle cuts and |
| the torque transferred to the blade. These tend | | | | sometimes comes in very handy. |
| to be a little heavier than the in-line models. Also, | | | | Cordless Saws - Cordless saws are nice because |
| worm saws are not maintenance free, you will | | | | they have no cords to plug in, trip over or even |
| need to occasionally add a special oil to the motor, | | | | cut through. However, they lack power. The |
| which is nothing more than unscrewing a screw | | | | blades tend to be smaller and therefore they do |
| and adding the oil, it is very easy. | | | | not cut as quick. Since it takes a lot of power to |
| Circular Saw Features | | | | cut through wood, you will definitely need more |
| Electric Brakes - This is one feature I would get, | | | | than one battery as you will be recharging them |
| no questions asked. An electric brake stops the | | | | often. |
| motor in about two seconds after releasing the | | | | Corded Saws - Corded saws are more powerful, |
| trigger, while a saw without an electric brake will | | | | but also heavier. If you are going to be cutting a |
| take about 10 to 15 seconds to stop. The electric | | | | lot of wood, grab the corded model as it will save |
| brake works by reversing the flow of electricity | | | | you aggravation down the road. |
| to the saw motor. The reason to go with the | | | | I currently own a cordless and corded one. I find |
| electric brake, which most models now offer, is | | | | myself using both models just about the same. It |
| to save limbs and fingers. After you are cutting | | | | is just easier to grab the cordless one and start |
| for a while your arm will tend to get tired, so you | | | | cutting. Most of the carpenters I know or have |
| want to make sure your safe at all times. | | | | talked to also own both styles. |
| Stopping the blade quicker means less chances of | | | | Tips on using a Circular Saw |
| getting hurt. | | | | Make sure you have the right blade for the type |
| Blade Capacity - As noted above circular saws | | | | of material you are cutting. |
| come in different blade sizes. If you are buying a | | | | Blades - Make sure your blade is sharp and not |
| corded model I would go with a 7 1/4" and for | | | | dull. Dull blades tend to heat up more which |
| cordless, go with a 6 1/2". The larger blade | | | | causes more wear on your tools and more |
| models are heavier, but in the long run you will | | | | chances to bind. |
| have to make less cuts, especially on angle cuts. | | | | Set the cutting depth no more than a 1/4 inch |
| Shaft Locks - Make sure your saw has a lock. A | | | | thickness of the wood to be cut. This will help |
| Shaft lock is usually a button you press that holds | | | | reduce the chances of kick backs. |
| the blade still, making changing the blade easier. If | | | | Clamp the wood you will be cutting. This will insure |
| your buying a professional power circular saw, it | | | | a more accurate cut. |
| should have this feature. The cheaper models | | | | Make sure your wood is clean of nails. |
| usually do not have this feature. | | | | Make sure your saw is up to speed before you |
| Circular Saw Blades | | | | start cutting the wood. |
| A saw blade is one of the most important parts | | | | Don't force your saw to cut. Let the saw cut by |
| to a circular saw. Not only having the right blade is | | | | pushing slightly into the wood and letting the saw |
| important, but also having a sharp blade is | | | | cut. |
| important. There are numerous blades for | | | | Make sure the blade stops before you grab the |
| different jobs and below we cover the common | | | | wood. |