Fitted with the right blade, a circular saw can make straight cuts in almost any material.
The tool's adjustable baseplate allows setting the depth and angle of the cut, and a
spring-loaded guard retracts automatically as the tool is pushed through the work.
Using a Circular Saw
Make all your preparations and adjustments before plugging in the saw. Secure your work to
keep it from moving. Start the saw before moving it into the wood, and keep it running at
high speed by pushing only as fast as the saw will easily cut. Slow down if the motor
starts to strain, and allow the motor to regain full speed. If the blade gets stuck in
the wood and stops, turn off the saw immediately. Cut steadily, keeping both hands on
the saw, and keep it running until the waste piece has dropped.
If very accurate cutting is required, run the saw's baseplate against a guide clamped to
the work piece. Remember that the guide has to be offset from the cut by the distance
from the blade to the base.
To ensure that the baseplate slips easily along the work, coat it with paste floor wax
(not car wax) or spray it with a dry lubricant. Use lacquer thinner (if the base is metal)
or mineral spirits (if it is plastic) to remove stubborn dirt, gum, and pitch. If you
drop the saw, check to make sure the baseplate is not bent or cracked. Also recheck the
accuracy of the 45- and 90-degree blade angle stops. On some saws, these are adjustable.
Occasionally lubricate the tracks supporting the baseplate with lightweight oil.
Adjusting the Depth of Cut
Always unplug the saw before making any adjustments. Adjust the depth of the cut by
releasing the locking knob and sliding the motor up or down. To gauge the depth setting,
raise the guard and place the saw with the blade overhanging the side of the board. As
a general rule, adjust the blade so that it projects no more than 1/4-inch-two teeth-below
the stock being sawed. Be sure to retighten the knob fully when you've made the required
adjustments.
Adjusting Angle of Cut
To make angled cuts, adjust the angle of the baseplate relative to the blade. On most saws,
you do this by loosening a knob or wing nut and then tilting the base to the desired
angle. Use the scale on the tool as a rough approximation of the angle. To fine-tune the
angle adjustment, make test cuts in a scrap of wood, and check them with a bevel gauge or
sliding T-bevel and protractor.
Purchasing
The size of the saw is identified by the diameter of the largest blade it accepts - from
3-3/8 to 16-1/4 inches. The larger the blade, the more powerful the motor will be. A
7-1/4-inch saw is standard for carpentry work. However, a 6-inch saw is lighter, easier
to handle, and usually powerful enough for most home repair jobs. Buy a saw that is
comfortable in your hand. A sawdust-collecting bag is a useful option.
Rental
Circular saws are readily available for rental. Before renting, check to make sure the
baseplate is flat and operates smoothly, and that the blade guard functions properly.
Make sure a wrench for changing blades is included with the tool. Plan to purchase a new
blade.
Substitutes
Alternatives to the circular saw include the non-powered ripsaw and
crosscut saw.
Caution
- When you're cutting with a circular saw, the blade is not always visible.
Don't put your free hand on the underside of the stock. Do not set the tool
down until the blade has stopped moving.
- Never set the blade to cut deeper than 1/4 inch greater than the thickness
of the stock; setting a blade too deep can cause the saw to kick back, jumping
forcefully - and dangerously - toward you. You can also prevent kickbacks by
using a sharp blade and supporting the work solidly. Be particularly wary when
sawing wet, warped, or knotty wood.
- Stand to the side so that you will be out of the way if the saw does kick back.
Bring the blade to full speed before pushing it into the work. Release the
trigger immediately if the saw starts to bind. At the end of a cut, wait for the
blade to stop before removing it from the work.
- Always wear safety glasses or goggles when operating a circular saw.
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Brought to you by Book of Skills and Tools and New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual
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