Cordless circular saws rely on a battery for power. They are less powerful than corded models and are somewhat limited in terms of duration of use and depth of cut. If you go for a cordless saw, it's important to choose a model supplied with two batteries to ensure you have a backup if your tool cuts out before your job is complete. A battery-powered circular saw will provide a maximum depth of cut of around 55 mm. Cordless circular saws generally feature a Lithium-ion Li-ion battery.
Voltage refers to the 'power' of the battery and this ranges from 12 to 24 V around 18 V on average. Li-ion batteries are lightweight, quick to charge, long-lasting and do not have a memory effect. The ampere-hour Ah determines how long the battery can be used before it has to be recharged; this ranges from 3 to 5 Ah.
Some Li-ion batteries feature a charge indicator which can be handy as these batteries won't slow down as they run out of power — unlike nickel cadmium Ni-cd batteries which will lose efficiency as they discharge. Controlling your circular saw's action with some kind of guide will immediately improve the accuracy of your cuts.
Most circular saws are equipped with an adjustable guide which is fixed parallel to the base. However, this system isn't always helpful — especially when you're cutting a long way from the edge, or if the edge isn't straight.
Some saws are equipped with a laser guide but the precision of the cut still mainly comes down to your own concentration! Maximum control is achieved with an aluminium guide rail , complete with non-slip brackets or clamps, which is placed on the workpiece. The base of the saw slides along the rail ensuring a perfectly straight cut.
Considering the fact that the blade of a circular saw can rotate at speeds of up to rpm, it's a good idea to invest in some extra safety features. Depending on the model, you might find one or several of the following:. Circular saws can also be mounted beneath a workshop table or multipurpose workbench.
This set-up allows you to transform your handheld circular saw into a makeshift table saw. You can even add your own guide rails and sleds to make mitre cuts. When picking a circular saw blade, you'll have to think about size diameter , material, number of teeth and the size of the bore hole. Each circular saw is designed for a specific blade , the diameter of which determines the depth of cut :. The number of teeth dictates the speed of your cut and the quality of the finish. The number generally ranges between 10 and The more teeth, the slower and neater the cut.
Amps indicate only the amount of electricity a motor draws, not the power it sends to the blade. Horsepower accounts for torque rotational force , but not necessarily under working conditions.
In the end, the most reliable appraisal may be price. There are many saws on the market under this price, but they're not as powerful, nor are they built for a lifetime's use. TOH master carpenter Norm Abram prefers this tool, noting that buyers should choose one based on balance and maneuverability. Either way, a top-of-the-line saw, if treated with care, should still be cutting well when you're ready to hand it down. The motor is in line with the blade, delivering enough torque to carve up wet lumber or saw through concrete, which makes a worm drive ideal for framing or major renovation jobs.
With the handle farther back, a user can better resist kickback and steer the pound saw through long rips. As on most full-size worm-drive saws, the blade of this Skil HD77 sits to the motor's left — in easy view for right-handed users.
The motor sits alongside the blade, making for a lighter 11 pounds or less saw, which is more maneuverable over a long day than a worm drive. The helical gearing on higher-end sidewinders, such as this Milwaukee , beefs up the torque, making these models worthy competition for worm drives.
Weight, balance, and handle size are all key features to consider when choosing a saw that fits you. For a slight-bodied person, a small pro model like this 7. Battery-driven models have increased in size as their power packs have gained voltage, making them convenient tools out in the field or when the electricity's not on.
However, cordless models still have limited run times and generate less torque than corded saws. Large, smooth-cornered lever locks and full-round knobs that can be tightened down with the whole hand, like this one on the DeWalt , make it faster and easier to change the depth of cut and bevel settings than small, hard-to-grasp levers and wing nuts.
Cast-metal shoes with raised reinforcing ribs on the top surface, as seen here on a Porter-Cable , won't bend like flat aluminum shoes if the saw hits the ground. On the other hand, a cast metal shoe adds weight to a saw. Circular saws can be dangerous. Always wear safety glasses and follow the safety instructions printed in your saw's owner's manual. Always make sure the power source is unplugged before making any adjustments to the saw.
Support the material on a bench or two strong sawhorses, overhanging enough so that the cut piece will fall. Never prop up this off-cut, or the material will buckle and bind the blade, causing a dangerous kickback. For an accurate cut, mark the side of the material that will become waste, then line up the blade to just leave the pencil line on the keep side. To make the cut, support the front of the saw shoe on the work piece, but keep the blade about an inch from the material.
It features a beveling base that adjusts between 0 and 50 degrees, while the rubber overmolded grip remains comfortable and reduces vibration. Getting the hang of a circular saw can be a bit of a challenge, but a circular saw with laser guidance can make the job that much easier.
The SKIL Circular Saw features a single-beam laser that allows the user to maintain consistent passes on cutlines, taking some of the learning curve out of straight cuts. Besides the laser beam, this corded circular saw also boasts a 5,RPM top speed from its amp motor, offering plenty of power and capability.
And, to make this saw a bit safer, there is a safety lock in the handle that the user must depress before squeezing the trigger. Heavy saws can be intimidating and difficult for some DIYers to maneuver.
The motor has a top speed of 3, RPMs, making it powerful enough for most projects. The base bevels up to 50 degrees as well as adjusts the height of the blade for cuts up to 2 inches deep. This saw also features a built-in safety in the handle to prevent accidental activations. This worm drive saw can cut both framing materials and sheet goods and also handle thick timbers. It uses a amp motor and runs at a top speed of 4, RPMs with plenty of torque. Available through Amazon.
First-time DIY tool shoppers need reliable, stand-alone tools to build the foundation of their kit. This corded circular saw from Bosch is just one of those models, not requiring the user to previously own any batteries while also being powerful enough for the user to grow into.
It also has a beveling base that adjusts up to 56 degrees. The wrench to change the blade stores on board this saw as well, allowing newer tool users to keep track of it for easy blade changes.
And, the built-in rafter hook makes hanging this saw from a ledge a convenient option. This worm drive circular saw is useful for framing, carpentry, and even cutting sheet goods. It has a set of worm gears to increase the torque, making it a truly powerful saw.
This SKILSAW features a depth-of-cut guide on the side of the saw, allowing users to choose from among different sizes of plywood or framing lumber in seconds. The base adjusts to allow for bevel cuts up to 53 degrees. And, despite being such a heavy-duty model, this worm drive circular saw features plenty of magnesium parts to reduce its overall weight to less than 12 pounds.
Even with all that background on the best circular saws, some additional questions might be spinning through your head about these power tools.
Be sure to check for an answer to your questions below. The overwhelmingly most common use for a circular saw is cutting framing lumber to length. However, it can be used to trim deck boards, cut plywood sheets into cabinet panels, and more.
Circular saws can make straight cuts, cuts with beveled angles, and even a series of thin, shallow cuts known as dados or rabbets. There is a combination of things to look for when buying a circular saw. If you already own a series of batteries, find one that matches your stash. Also, look for one with enough speed to get the job done that also fits your budget.
There are two saws worth recommending for home use. The best way to keep a circular saw straight is to clamp a straight edge to the workpiece and run the base against it.
Another idea is to place a small clamp on the front of the base to act as a guide.
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