The Circular saws are one type of saw that you can see among the different kind of saws which are used in woodworking. The circular saw looks dangerous to see, then how can we use this saw so easily? Where do these saws are being used? You may have these questions in your mind once you see those mini circular saws which look very dangerous to you. But no worries if you know some basic concepts and the parts usage, you can easily handle them. So is the detailed guide on how to use a circular saw.
Contents
How To Use A Circular Saw –Step By Step Guide
Total Time: 1 Hour
Step 1: Mark, Measure, Then Cut The Line
For this, one can use a ruler, straight wooden edge, carpenter’s pen, or marker. Using all these materials, measure precisely and mark boldly. If your marking is visually pleasing, then it helps you to cut when you are using a blade. Most of the circular saws are used for cutting short cuts and straight cuts.
Step 2: Clamping
The material you are cutting should be supported firmly and should not have obstructions while you are cutting. Hence clamp the wooden material or any material that you are going to cut in between two sawhorses. But remember, never keep your working material on the floor, ordinary table, because it can damage the circular saw, your working material, and also the surface on which you have kept. You can buy sawhorses from your local hardware shop.
Step 3: Attach The Blade
Select the sharp blade, which is suitable for your woodworking. And attach the blade to your saw machine.
Step 4: Setting The Depth Of The Blade
Set the blade only up-to 1/8 to 1/4 inch below the material. Never set it too deep as it leaves teeth exposed, which may be dangerous. If you set the blade at the correct depth, then it will result in cleaner cuts and reduces friction. If friction is found, then imperfections are found on the surface of the material.
Step 5: Confirm Bevel Angle
On the front end of the saw machine, you will find a knob; twist that knob in an anti-clockwise direction to unlock the scale which sits on the blade of your machine. Then slide the scale to the angle that is suitable for your woodworking. Once you are done with the selection of angle, then turn the knob in a clockwise direction so that the scale is locked again. Be careful before you activate the saw; be sure that the knob is securely locked.
Step 6: Activate Saw
Activate the saw; some saw machine models might have a trigger button on top of the saw machine. Once when you push the trigger button, the blade will start to spin, then wait until the blade attains the maximum speed; after it gains its full speed, you can start cutting.
Step 7: Push The Saw
Keep the base plate aligned to the cut line in the whole of your work. Doesn’t force; instead, keep moving the saw in easy. And let the speed be naturally sped of the blade. You have advantages in some specified models; it has automatic speed control; if you move forward, the speed remains the same, and if you lift the blade, the speed decreases.
Step 8: Release The Trigger
When your work is done thoroughly, let the trigger off and wait for the blade to stop completely. Never keep your finger on the trigger button until you are ready to cut.
Step 9: Unplug The Saw
Check that blade is locked and make confirm that it has stopped. Then remove the plug of your saw machine. And keep the machine in a safer place and make sure that the blade is away from all the objects.
Different Types And Parts Of Circular Saw
The circular saw is a portable power saw used for cutting wood in woodworking. It uses a rotary motion principle for cutting the wood. These circular saws are used for cutting wood or plastic. They are powered by electricity or hydraulic motor or gasoline engine. Here cutting is done by teeth of the circular saw. It gives a smooth finish for the surface. And the cuts done here are straight and precisely accurate.
And also, there are different types of circular saw found in the market. They are an abrasive saw, carbide saw, cold saw, miter saw, sally saw, track saw, panel saw, concrete saw, flip oversaw, etc. The circular saws often come in different sizes, but the average size is seven ¼ inches. And also they come in left or right-handed. And the cost of the circular saw is too low when compared to other saws.
Every saw is different from others. If we know the parts of the circular saw and its usage, then it’s easy to handle a circular saw for your first project also.
Different Parts Of The Circular Saw
- The handle and trigger are the basic part of the circular saw. Handle for your grip, and the power trigger to start and stop the machine. Push the trigger to start and release the trigger to stop.
- The lock switch is the safety feature part of the saw machine. This lock switch prevents the turn-on of the trigger if it is accidentally turned on.
- The front grip is called a secondary handle, which guides you when you are cutting.
- The blade guard is the protective shield for your blade of the circular saw when you are not using the blade. You can lift them once when you start using them.
- The shoe is a rectangle material, also called a base of the saw machine. If you are cutting a regular straight cut, then keep the blade at 90-degree. The angle of a shoe can be adjusted.
- The bevel knob is an adjustment knob that sets the angle between the shoe and the blade.
- The lock knob is a similar knob to the bevel knob. It is used to set the blade depth by adjusting the lock knob.
- Source power is the main thing in the saw machine. It depends on the model of a circular saw. Some models have removable batteries that can be removed after usage and plugged in during usage. And some models have a power cord that should be connected to an outlet. Now you have some knowledge about parts of the circular saw, which may give relief to your thoughts.
Purpose Of Circular Saw
The circular saw is mainly used for cutting materials like wood, plastic, metal, and masonry. The blades of the circular saw are designed differently for a different type of cutting. The circular saw can be used for two types of cutting, one is cross-cutting, and the other is rip cuts. And sometimes both the combination of rip-cut and cross-cut also has been cut using the circular saw. When trimming a length of wood cross-cut is done.
Rip cuts are also done to wood, but it’s an extended cut. If you have the right blade, then you can also cut some metals, stone, bricks, and glass tile. Ripping also means trimming standard sizes wood to small size, for example, 4-feet*8-feet to 3-feet*7-feet. For a more extended cut, you may have to use rip cuts, for instance, if you are cutting sheets of plywood. The circular saw can also cut thick wood like a 2*12 board. Similarly, it can also be used for cutting smaller boards and plywood.
Some Of The Top Circular Saws
1. DeWalt-DWE575SB
- DEWALT 7 1/4 circular saw is among the lightest saws in its class (8.8 lbs.)
- Electric brake of the corded circular saw stops the blade after trigger is released
- 15 amp motor of the compact circular saw delivers power for even the toughest applications
- 7-1/4 inch circular saw.
- It has an electric brake.
- It uses a 15-Amp motor.
- It is lightweight and compact.
- It has a 57-degree beveling capacity.
2. Genesis-GCS445SE
- 4.0 Amp Motor and 3500 RPM with 4-1/2 in. Blade and 3/8 in. Arbor
- Barrel Grip for One-Handed Operation - Save time and energy by using a lighter saw!
- Easy-To-Use Depth and Bevel Controls - make beveled cuts, plunge cuts, and cross cuts with ease!
- It is a 4-1/2 inch compact circular saw.
- It uses a 4-Amp motor.
- It also has a 24T carbide tip blade.
- It has a vacuum adapter.
3. Makita-5007 Mg
- Magnesium components create a lightweight saw (10.6 pounds) that is well balanced and jobsite tough
- Powerful 15.0 AMP motor delivers 5,800 RPM for proven performance and jobsite durability
- Two built in L.E.D lights illuminate the line of cut for increased accuracy
- This circular saw is made of magnesium that makes the component lightweight.
- The most refined circular saw was found in the market.
- It has a 15-Amp powerful motor that gives 5800 rpm.
- It has two built-in LED lights that help in increasing accuracy.
- It has a large cutting capacity of 2-1/2 inches at 90-degree and also bevels capacity of 0 to 56-degree.
4. SKIL5280-01
- Powerful 15-amp motor delivers 5 300-RPM for greater speed and faster cuts
- 7-1 4-inch carbide-tipped blade included. Spindle lock for easy blade changes.
- 51° bevel capacity with a positive stop at 45° for a wide variety of cuts
- It has a 15-Amp motor and delivers 5300 rpm.
- It is a 7-1/4 inch circular saw with a single beam laser.
- It has a carbide tip blade.
- It has a separate lock system for changing blades.
- It has a 51-degree bevel capacity.
- It also has a dust blower that keeps the line of cut free from sawdust.
Some Tips
Using a circular saw is quite tricky, but if we know the proper usage of the circular saw, then it is easy to achieve your project goal by a precise cutting. Along with the use, we also should know some safety tips and other tips about the circular saw. So here there are some of the tips that may help you.
- Wear safety glasses and gloves. Once when you are ready to saw, be ready with your glasses and gloves. This is the primary safety precaution that you should have. If your sawing is taking a long time, then you can wear earmuffs. Along with that, if you are a person with allergenic of dust, then you can wear a mask.
- Remove the battery. When you are changing the blades of the saw or if you are not using the circular saw, then remove the battery or unplug the machine.
- Setting the depth of the blade. Set your blades to the depth of not more than ¼ -inch below the board.
- Start from the beginning. If you made a mistake like instead of making a curve, you have made a cutline, then start again from the beginning. Never continue with the track of mistake.
- Use sharp blades. While using a circular saw, always use the sharp blades and thoroughly go through the guidelines of the blades.
- Do not force. When the circular saw is cutting on its speed, it does not force the machine by applying your speed. Let it run on its speed.
- Never lift the saw when the blade is running. Wait until the blade stops. Do not lift the saw before the blade completely stops.
- Keep distance from the machine. While the blade of a circular saw is running, do not move your hands near the blade.
FAQs
1. What is a circular saw?
A circular saw is a cutting tool that is used for cutting materials like wood, plastic, or metal.
2. Can we use a circular saw as a table saw?
The circular saw cannot cut as smooth as the table saw, but by little practice, you can use it as accurately as a table saw.
3. Where are circular saws being used?
In woodworking, the circular saw is used. It may be handheld or electric. A left-handed person Or right-handed person may use it.
4. Are circular blades dangerous?
Yes, as the circular blades are faster blades than table saws, it can be dangerous if it is misused.
5. Which is the best circular saw?
The overall best circular saw is DEWALT DCS575B at Amazon.
For the best budget circular saw, you can go for SKIL 5180-01 at Amazon.
For a compact circular saw, go for GENESIS GCS545C at Amazon.
Is jigsaw better than a circular saw?
Jigsaw can be used for most of the works done by circular saws like kitchen fitting and complex cuts.
Final Thoughts
In starting, We have said that the circular look dangerous; We think after reading the article, that dangerous saw may not look hazardous anymore. There are some basics that we should know about the circular saw before going to use. We hope you have got to know the techniques about using the circular saw. We hope the above article helped you to understand the necessary content of using the circular saw. Thank you for your patience in reading out our article.
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