What is the best brand of circular saw?
- BEST OVERALL: Makita 5007Mg 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
- RUNNER-UP: DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Electric Brake
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: CRAFTSMAN 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
- BEST SMALL: Makita XSS03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 5-3/8-Inch
- BEST BATTERY-POWERED: DEWALT 6-1/2-Inch 20V Max Circular Saw
What is the best compact circular saw?
- BEST OVERALL: TACKLIFE Circular Saw with Metal Handle, 6 Blades
- RUNNER-UP: Rockwell 4-1/2” Compact Circular Saw
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Makita SH02R1 12V Max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless
- BEST SIDEWINDER: SKILSAW Southpaw SPT67M8-01 15 Amp 7-1/4 Inch
- BEST WORM DRIVE: SKILSAW SPT77W-01 15-Amp 7-1/4-Inch Aluminum Worm
What is the best blade for a circular saw?
- Flat top grind (FTG) which are aggressive blades best for ripping
- Alternate top bevel (ATB) which slice each side of the wood grain and are a multi-purpose blade
- Combination (ATBR) that offer a refined cut for smooth finished edges
- And triple-chip (TCG) that are used for melamine and even non-ferrous metals like aluminum.
What are the disadvantages of a circular saw?
Disadvantages Of Cordless Circular Saws
- Requires A Battery. As much as batteries allow for better portability and convenient work, it still limits the cordless saw.
- Requires Constant Replacements. If batteries are damaged, it’ll cost you extra money to replace them. ...
- Has Limited Operational Time With a Heavier Saw. ...
- Lacks Enough Power and Strength. ...
How do I know what size circular saw to get?
Circular saws are categorized by the diameter of the blade they take. The most common and useful size for DIYers is 7 1/4 inches. Saws this size will cut through material more than 3-inches thick, and they also offer the widest variety of blade choices for cutting substances other than wood.
What is the most popular size circular saw?
7-1/4 inchesThe most common blade diameter is 7-1/4 inches. Most saws with blade capacities of 6 inches or more can cut through 2-inch dimensional lumber at a 45-degree angle in a single pass.
Is a 6.5 or 7.25 circular saw better?
In short, a 6.5 circular saw is less powerful than a 7.25 circular saw. 7.25in saws have more torque and can generate more power. They also tend to be a bit bigger and heavier than their 6.5 counterparts.
What size circular saw will cut a 4x4?
Cutting a 4×4 with a Circular Saw – Guide If you need to cut a 4×4 post, then the ideal tool is a large 12” miter saw. This saw has the blade diameter needed to chop through a 4×4 in a single pass, so if this is an option for you it's the way to go.
What size circular saw Do I need to cut 2x4?
The circular saw is a portable power saw that uses a circular blade. You push the blade into the material as opposed to a table saw where you push the material into the blade. You can use the standard 5 ½″ circular saw to cut 2x4s.
Can a 6.5 circular saw cut a 2x4?
6.5" will cut a 2x at 90 degrees. It won't go all the way thru at common angles.
What can a 6.5 circular saw cut?
The 6.5 will cut up to 2 1/16”, while the 7 ¼” cuts up to 2 ⅜”. Minor sure, but it's when you tilt them into 45 degree angles, that the 7 ¼” can do something the 6.5 can't. Cut through a 2×4. Of course more capacity, typically means more weight.
How deep will a 7.25 circular saw cut?
Standard-size saws use 7 1/4-inch blades and can cut a maximum depth of about 2 1/2 inches.
What is the best circular saw to buy?
Top 9 Circular SawsMakita 5007 Magnesium Circular Saw.DEWALT 20-Volt Circular Saw.SKILSAW SPT77WML-01 15-Amp Worm-Drive Circular Saw.CRAFTSMAN 15-Amp Circular Saw.Milwaukee 2830-20 Circular Saw.SKILSAW 5280-01 Circular Saw With Laser Guide.Makita SH02R1 12-Volt Max CXT Cordless Circular Saw Kit.More items...
What should I look for when buying a circular saw?
Accuracy. Features that help you work effectively with a circular saw include accurate cutline markers, good blade visibility, smooth guard retraction, and a flat shoe set parallel to the blade. The best cutline markers line up exactly with the kerf cut by the saw. You want a notch no wider than a thin-kerf saw blade.
How deep can a 5.5 circular saw cut?
How Deep Can a Circular Saw Cut?Saw SizeMax. Depth at 90°Cut Depth at 45°5 ½ inch Saw1 ¾ inch1 3/16 inches6 ½ inch Saw2 13/32″1 11/16″7 ¼ inch Saw2 ½ inches1 13/16 inch8 ¼ inch Saw2 7/8″2 ¼″1 more row•Jun 20, 2021
Will a 5 1/2 inch circular saw cut a 2x4?
The Ryobi cicular saw is a 5.5" saw, and it can cut a 2x4, just barely.
What is the power rating of a circular saw?
For corded circular saws, the power rating is generally expressed in amperage. Today, 15-amp saws are the standard; 10- or 12-amp saws are appropriate only for infrequent use. The price difference just isn't that significant for a purchase you can expect to use for many years. The higher the amperage, the more cutting power the saw will have.
What is circular saw?
Circular saws have long been available in two styles: sidewinders and worm-drive. Sidewinders are the most recognizable style to most of us. The handle is set higher over the blade, and the blade has traditionally been located on the right side of the D-shaped handle, although left-handed saws are increasingly available.
How long will a portable circular saw last?
Buy a good circular saw now and you can expect to still be using it in 10 or 20 years. Here are seven things to keep in mind when you shop for your circular saw. Elena Pejchinova/Moment/Getty Images.
What kind of battery does a cordless saw use?
Virtually all cordless saws now use lithium-ion battery systems. There are many 18-volt saws available, but there are also more powerful 20-volt cordless saws offered. As well as voltage, an amp-hour rating will also be listed, which indicates how long you can use the saw before the battery dies.
What makes a circular saw more comfortable?
A well-shaped handle and good balance can go a long way toward making a saw more comfortable and efficient to use, so don't overlook these features when choosing a circular saw.
What is a saw foot made of?
Saw foot made from cast magnesium rather than pressed steel. Power brake to stop the blade quickly. Preset bevel stops on the saw foot (22 1/2 and 45 degrees are most useful) A spindle lock to simplify changing blades. Built-in work lights to illuminate the workpiece. Laser guideline to help keep saw aligned.
Can you use a cordless circular saw with only one cord?
Still, a DIYer who owns only one circular saw will likely want a plug-in corded model , which will offer more sustained power. But for DIYers who can afford two saws, adding a cordless saw will let you work where there is no plug-in outlet available.
How many volts does a cordless circular saw draw?
Corded designs preceded “portable” circular saws by a few years. These tools draw power through a standard 120-volt outlet. The corded circular saw can be more powerful than a cordless, but it uses fewer technology-driven features.
How many amps should a circular saw push?
If you have two circular saws of the same rating, the one with a higher speed (RPMs) can potentially draw in more air and run cooler. For optimum performance, look for a circular saw that pushes at least 15-amps. 13 and lower amp motors are ok for infrequent use and smaller jobs.
What is a direct drive circular saw?
The design, also referred to as the direct-drive circular saw, was developed after the worm drive circular saw. It has the electric motor mounted next to the saw blade instead of behind it. A spur gear turns the circular saw blade on these models.
What tools do woodworkers use?
As a woodworker, cutting and drilling will be the two ways you shape boards into projects that you can use or sell. In today’s woodshop, power tools reign supreme, and the circular saw is one of the most versatile cutting tools you can have.
When was the first cordless saw made?
Cordless circular saws. Surprisingly, the first “portable” circular saw (the model “E” from Skilsaw) became available in 1928. Today’s products use the latest in Lithium-Ion battery pack technology. Most manufacturers sell power tools based on battery platforms, allowing you to swap batteries between cordless tools.
Is a circular saw worth considering?
Today’s power tool market leans towards cordless designs in sizes that most DIYers and hobbyists will purchase. That does not mean that corded circular saws are not worth considering, though.
What is the diameter of a circular saw?
The most common sizes of circular saws are 190mm (7 1/4″) diameter and 165mm (6 1/2″) diameter. Circular saw sizes are determined by the blade diameter, and saws range from 85mm (3 11/64″) diameter up to 355mm (14″). 165mm circular saws can cut up to 61mm (2 13/32″) deep and 190mm saws cut up to 70mm (2 3/4″) deep.
What are the different types of circular saws?
Circular saws are available in two different drive types, these are Worm-drive and Side-winder.
What is the power supply for a circular saw?
The most common power supply for circular saws is corded 120v or 230v for DIY or home use. This is closely followed by 18v for Cordless units. Circular saws used in industry are generally 110v or cordless for safety reasons.
How deep can a 165mm blade cut?
The smaller 165mm (6 1/2″) blade size will allow you to make cuts up to 61.0mm (2 9/16″) deep, which means you can cut through a wide variety of lumber sizes or board thicknesses.
How many amps should I use for a circular saw?
I would recommend looking at circular saws with at least 1200W or 10 amps for general DIY use and over 1500W or 12.5 amps for heavy-duty or prolonged work otherwise, you will find the saw doesn’t live up to your expectations or have enough power to do the job needed.
What angle can a circular saw cut?
In addition, most common circular saws will also allow cuts to be made at angles up to 45 degrees, which whilst the cuts are not as deep as when the blade is set to 90 degrees, this option means you can cut miters, chamfers, and compound angles, which make circular saws even more versatile and useful.
Which is heavier, worm or sidewinder saw?
The worm-driven style of circular saws tends to be heavier than the side-winder style due to the extra geared parts used to transfer the power from the motor to the blade, they are also more expensive.
What size blade do you need for a circular saw?
Circular saws are versatile tools, but you wouldn’t really want to work on any piece of wood that needs a 10 inch or 12 inch blade to cut through it. This means that you’ll have to exert much more pressure and control over the saw and chances are the feedback from the wood will be too tough to handle.
What to know when buying a circular saw blade?
First, you have to make sure the arbor on your saw can support the new blade. Also, you have to know what type of material you plan on working with the most: wood, aluminum, plexiglass, sheet metal, etc.
How many teeth does a combination blade have?
Combination blades also come with a higher tooth count, up to 80 teeth on some of the larger blades.
What is a 10 inch blade?
10 inch blades will let you tackle a wide variety of projects. They are sought after by woodworkers that work on large projects or want to also be able to cut tiles or metal.
Do you need a circular saw blade guide?
Spread the love. Most amateur carpenters or hobbyists worry a lot about size and not enough about blade design and purpose. This is why you need a circular saw blade size guide. The good news is that not all guides are minimalistic. Even if the blade size may seem low on the list of concerns for professionals, there are important connections ...
Is a circular saw blade good?
It’s important to remember that size isn’t everything when it comes to circular saw blades. It is just one of the features that make the blade good for a specific task but only average for other tasks and materials.
Can you use a dado blade on a circular saw?
These are called specialty blades. In the same category, you can find dado blades even though they’re not your most common choice for handheld circular saws. Even so, certain models will support a stacked dado set. Wobble dado blades usually aren’ t compatible with circular saws, nor are they recommended as the vibrations they create make it hard to control the saw.
How far down should a saw blade be?
Set the blade so that its bottommost tooth is 1/8 to ¼ inch below the work piece . Always make sure the power source is unplugged before making any adjustments to the saw.
What happens when you cut wood with a circular saw?
As a circular saw blade cuts up through wood, the fibers on top splinter off, a condition known as tear-out (usually worse on cross-cutting). If appearances are important, put the good side down when cutting. If you must cut the board face-up or if both sides will show, score the cut line with a utility knife before cutting.
What is a worm drive saw?
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 16-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.
How to cut plywood with a saw?
Place large sheets of plywood on 2x4s laid across sawhorses and positioned to support both sides of the cut. Clamp a strip of plywood or other straight material to the work piece at the right distance to guide the saw shoe while cutting the line . Walk alongside the plywood as you cut, holding the cord to make sure it doesn't get snagged.
What size blade does a Porter Cable 314 have?
For finish work or paneling, Norm Abram prefers a small trim saw; blades range from 3½ to 412 inches. This Porter-Cable 314, with a 4½-inch blade , is the one worm drive on the market — all others are sidewinders.
How to keep saw straight when ripping wood?
TIP: For narrow rips, keep the saw straight by holding the shoe with your free hand and bracing your forefinger on the wood's edge . You can also use a pair of locking pliers (below) or a rip-fence accessory.
How big is a Bosch 1660K blade?
This Bosch 1660K sports a 6 ½-inch blade and a 24-volt battery — the largest in its class. However, cordless models still have limited run times and generate less torque than corded saws.
