Sometimes when ripping or making angled cuts, the guard must be manually pushed up and out of the way. A spring-driven retracting blade guard covers the blade except when pushed out of the way by the stock. Circular saws now feature a lockout button in addition to the switch and both must be pressed to start and run the saw. Circular Saw SafetyĪs with any power tool, safe usage of circular saws is extremely important, so make sure you follow all manufacturers’ safety rules. Twenty-four-volt models, such as the DeWalt saw shown, can handle framing chores with ease. Several manufacturers offer cordless saws in a combo kit with a cordless drill, including the Bosch 24-volt, DeWalt 18-volt, Milwaukee 18-volt, Makita 18-volt, Grizzly 18-volt and Craftsman 24-volt models.Ĭordless circular saws have become increasingly popular. Porter Cable offers a 4 1/2-inch trim saw, and a 7 1/4-inch, 15-amp framer’s saw with case. A number of DeWalt corded saws feature an electric brake. Milwaukee’s corded Tilt-Lok Handle Saw has an eight-position, user-adjustable main handle for maximum comfort and control in a variety of situations. Makita’s 7 1/4-inch corded contractor saw comes with a carrying bag. The new Craftsman Laser Trac model features a laser light showing where the blade intersects the work piece. Skil’s new corded, 7 1/4-inch, 2.6-horsepower circular saw with Sight Light has a built-in light for better view of the work piece. Black & Decker features a plastic window for easy viewing of the cut line in their cordless model. Today’s saws are extremely easy and comfortable to use with a number of great features. The smaller trim saws are best for interior framing, even for cutting plywood or for chores where deep bevel cutting is not required. The larger the saw, the more power it offers, but also the more weight. The blade will cut through almost 3 inches of material, which will make a 45-degree bevel cut through 2-inch-thick material. This means a 6 1/2-inch saw will easily cut through 1 1/2- or 2-inch materials on a crosscut. Remember, however, the deepest cut that can be made by a circular saw is just a bit less than half the diameter of the blade. An 18-volt, 6 1/2-inch saw is a good choice for homeowners. Cordless saws are rated according to voltage and range from 14 to 24 volts. A good all-around choice for most homeowner chores, and the most popular size available, is a 7 1/2-inch saw with 2 to 3 horsepower. Corded saws are rated according to horsepower and range from 1/2 up to almost 4 horsepower. Circular saws are available as corded or cordless, with the latter models becoming increasingly more powerful and more popular. The sizes range from small 4-inch trim saws up to big 15-inch framing saws. And, fitted with the correct blades, they can be used to cut tile, fiberglass, concrete and even metal.Ĭircular saws are sized according to the blade diameter the saw accepts. They can be used to cut 4-by-4-foot sheets of plywood, paneling or other materials much easier than with a table or radial arm saw. They can be used for crosscutting, ripping (with a ripping gauge), making bevel and miter or compound miter cuts, and they can be used to create rabbet or dado joints.
Portable circular saws have come a long way from their beginning, although they still operate in the same manner. The new saws allowed carpenters to cut through a framing 2-by-4 much faster than with a handsaw and thus helped fuel the booming home-construction business of the time. The Skil Corporation invented portable circular saws just after World War II and, in fact, “Skilsaw” became synonymous with the tools. Alternative Heating & Fireplace Inserts.