How to Choose a Circular Saw

A circular saw is a versatile tool that is equally useful in both home workshops and large industrial facilities. It is suitable for working with plastic, wood, metal.

Types of circular (disc) saws

It is important to determine before buying what the unit will be used for. You should think about how to choose a circular saw at the initial stage of activity. After all, repairs are not made in one hour based on a spontaneous decision. It is worth thinking about what type of tool to stop on and what parameters will be the most priority.

Plunge Circular Saw

Possesses low cutting accuracy. But other equipment can correct this situation. The circular saw is different from the classic variations. The difference is that the unit allows you to observe the position of the disc in relation to the work piece. Not knowing how to choose a circular saw for your home, do not rush to buy. You need to study the material in detail. Now you can check difference between Plunge Saw And A Circular Saw at https://verschiltussen.com/wat-is-het-verschil-tussen-een-invalzaag-en-een-cirkelzaag/

When switched off, the cutting disc is completely insulated. It is located under a protective cover, and when the unit is activated, it lowers and this is required to continue working.

Scope of plunge saws – repair work in relation to flooring. The accuracy of the equipment is measured in millimeters. Depending on the functionality of a particular tool, at an angle of 90 degrees, the depth of cut is 10-75 mm.

The submersible tool is characterized by a multifunctional mode. It is configured to perform a transverse as well as a longitudinal cut. However, there are difficulties with cutting blanks of small width.

Cordless circular saw

The most compact and oversized models used for work at height. They are useful for working in hard-to-reach places. Tools of this type are designed for a short period of work; their functionality depends directly on the required charge.

The equipment is battery powered. Depending on its type and power, the charge lasts for 15-50 minutes. As you work, the tool needs to be charged. For many models, it is at least 4 hours.

Due to the nuances of the structural plan, battery-type equipment cannot operate for a long period of time. Therefore, it is not recommended to include it in large-scale activities.

Circular saw for metal and concrete

Typical variations of circular saws are not suitable for working with metal and concrete. Their design does not withstand significant loads, because the equipment breaks down. For this case, a device for manual and specialized action is produced.

The hand tool is powered by electricity. It is characterized by increased efficiency, significant power and speed, performance. The equipment operates from a wall outlet or a battery. Buyers buy a hand saw more often and due to its low cost compared to an automatic device.

To work on complex construction sites, specialized equipment is produced. These are wall saws, rope installations and joint cutters. Their scope is large construction projects. Such tools are characterized by an increased level of accuracy, multitasking, excellent performance parameters.

Stationary circular saw

This tool is perfect for owners of small home workshops. A saw with excellent performance parameters makes a cut of 50-140 mm, which depends on the type of work piece and model.

The peculiarity of the tool is the presence of a bed. In some units, it has a prefabricated structure, which allows you to quickly move the installation. For more solid models, a cast bed is used. It has a significant weight and dimensions, is characterized by stability. A tool of this format is used to work with large work pieces.

The stationary circular saw is endowed with such advantageous indicators:

1. Reduced vibration of the tool, due to which the quality of work piece processing increases significantly.
2. Low noise level.
3. Precise settings for work piece processing.
4. Work with the widest range of work pieces, including large-sized ones.
5. Stationary tools have a dust collector that reduces debris and waste.

Circular saw with guide bar

To make a clear, even cut, the tool is equipped with tires. They process parts as quickly as possible.

Tires are single or double sided. The former are used for cutting corner blanks, the latter for working with complex parts. Depending on the method of use, there are:

1. They are characterized by maximum simplicity of design and high functionality. Suitable for all types of saws, from circular to manual.
2. Specialized tyres. For work in difficult areas. Are established only on devices of circular type.
3. Tires for transverse cutting. The simplest version of the device, which allows cutting work pieces at an angle of 45 and 90 degrees.

The tire must be high strength. It is important that there are no deformations, stability.

How to choose a circular saw for home and garden

Equipment is produced in different assembly formats.

Not sure which is the best circular saw to buy? Let’s take a look at some points then.

Main technical characteristics and selection criteria for circular saws

An important feature in the selection of equipment is the number of teeth. The purpose of the disk depends on this characteristic.

Directly from the number of teeth, a specific number of tasks are formed that the tool will cope with:

1. A small number of teeth will be needed for rough cutting of wood boards with different levels of density. In this case, the carved surface will be sloppy, and its quality will be low.

2. The average number of teeth will be suitable for a wider range of work performed by a specialist. This is a longitudinal and transverse saw cut of wood blanks, rough processing of metal blanks.

3. A significant number of teeth are used as often as possible in work. These are transverse and longitudinal cuts in wood with a high density, cutting boards, plastic and laminate, working with metal blanks.

Power

This parameter plays an important role when buying equipment. The higher the value of the power parameter, the better the saw will do its job. It is important in the formation of specific tasks. Materials with a dense texture need to be processed with equipment with maximum power.

Circular saws are produced in three types with power levels:

• Small – up to 0.8 kW;
• Medium – 0.8-1.2 kW;
• High – over 1.2 kW.

The weight of the tool depends on this indicator. This is worth considering. It is incredibly difficult to carry out work with a weighty unit.

It’s important to know! If the power of the device is less than 1 kW, it is not recommended to take it to work with large-sized work pieces, since there is a possibility of the blade being clamped in the wood.

Saw blade speed and diameter

This indicator directly affects the performance of the tool, its ability to interact with materials with a dense and hard texture. It is the frequency of rotation that determines the accuracy and evenness of the cut.

Equipment with a high speed of rotation significantly simplifies the workflow. The saw will go through the material (even dense) much faster; there will be no burrs and chips on the cut. However, if the rotation speed is too high, the disc blade heats up rapidly. As a result, burn marks may remain on the cut. When working with plastic, the edges will melt.

When choosing a tool according to the frequency of rotation, equipment with an adjustable mechanism will be preferable. This will allow the master to independently adjust the parameter to the type of raw material.

When choosing a saw blade, technical data are important: external and internal diameter. The first – affects the depth of cut, its parameters range from 65-500 mm. The indicated values ​​are constant. The dimensions of the disc are limited by the hardware design. The second – should be according to the diameter of the circular saw shaft (10-55 mm)

Straight Cutting Depth and 90° Right Angle

This parameter directly depends on the dimensions of the disk used, and if they are small in size, then it will be impossible to carry out an accurate and high-quality cut of a work piece with large dimensions.

It should be borne in mind that saws that perform a work depth of 40-50 mm are useful for home use. If the indicator is higher, then such a tool is suitable for activities where the depth of cut directly forms efficiency and professional quality.

The main part of the saws makes a cut not only straight, but also at an angle of 45 degrees. Recently they began to produce tools that cut at an angle of 60 °.

Experts recommend paying attention to the parameter of the maximum cutting depth at an angle of 90 degrees. This is possible by sequentially moving the saw perpendicular to its surface. If the work piece has a thickness of up to 40 mm, then it is worth choosing a tool with a similar depth.

Saw blade types

The saw blade is produced in several variations depending on the purpose and type of material used. They have a similar design, but differ in individual technical and operational aspects.

Depending on the structural characteristics, they are classified in two directions:

Monolithic disk. Made from high carbon steel, it is considered unpretentious in care and maintenance. Mainly used for low density materials (soft wood, certain types of concrete and cement). The main disadvantage is that it gets dull quickly.

Carbide disc. Made of tool steel with tungsten, cobalt and artificial diamond soldering. It is characterized by high strength, stability. The carbide disc is universal, applicable to work with materials of any density. The teeth are sharpened more slowly; the cut is smoother, more accurate.

Additional functions of circular saws

Circular saws capable of handling complex tasks. To make the work extremely efficient and comfortable, the models are equipped with additional special features. Their task is to make the workflow as accurate and lightweight as possible.

Among the additional functions of saws are:

1. Sawdust collection. The equipment has a special pipe through which the vacuum cleaner is connected. It sucks up small fragments and sawdust, ensuring a clean working area.
2. Chip removal system. Models that are used for the minimum number of workflows have this function. When making a cut, the chips do not scatter around, but are collected in a special container.
3. Smooth start. To ensure the highest quality cut, it is necessary to refrain from any oscillatory movements and sharp cutting into the material. To eliminate tool jerks, saws are equipped with this function. In addition to facilitating the sawing process, this parameter also has a positive effect on the working life of the saw engine.
4. Laser mark. An add-on is specially installed on the saw, which, when the tool is activated, launches a laser beam. It forms a trajectory according to which it is necessary to cut. This is especially useful when working with equipment without guide rails. However, to master the sawing of work pieces with a laser beam, a high level of tool handling is required.
5. Start blocking. Activation of the working resources of the saw is carried out by systematically pressing 2 buttons. This will protect the wizard from possible unforeseen circumstances and prevent spontaneous and accidental launch of the tool.