Things To Consider When Buying a Circular Saw

Buy a good circular saw now, and you can expect to still use it in 10 or 20 years. When you buy a circular saw, keep the following things in mind.

Corded and Cordless

Like most power tools, circular saws now have the plug-in and battery-powered cordless models. Until recently, data cable models were more suitable for continuous heavy-duty cutting, but recent innovations in battery technology have narrowed the performance gap between data cables and cordless models.

Many tool manufacturers now offer power tools that use the same battery. If you already have several tools from one manufacturer, adding a cordless circular saw that uses the same battery is an affordable option.

Rated Power

For rope circular saws, the rated power is generally expressed in amperes. Today, 15 amp saws are standard; 10 or 12 amp saws are only suitable for infrequent use. For a product that you can use for many years, the price difference is not that big. The higher the current, the greater the cutting power of the saw.

Blade size

Circular saws are classified according to the diameter of their blades.

Smaller professional pruning saws are also available, with a blade diameter of only about 4 1/4 or 4 1/2 inches. These tools are mainly used for cutting panels and other thin materials, but there are also some that can cut size wood.

Ergonomics

From a distance, each rattlesnake saw looks the same, except for the color. However, when viewed at close range, they feel very different when held in the hand and when they are used. The only way to experience this difference is to go to your local tool supplier and test them yourself. Is this handle suitable for your hand? Is the balance of the saw good? Is the weight suitable for you? Are you satisfied with the visibility of the blade and the adjustment components?

A well-shaped handle and good balance help to make the saw more comfortable and efficient to use, so don't ignore these features when choosing a circular saw.

Additional features

Most circular saws can make enough cuts as long as they have enough power and good blades, but for long-term satisfaction, you may want to look for the following characteristics:

The saw feet are made of cast magnesium instead of pressed steel.

Power brakes quickly stop the blades.

The preset bevel stop on the saw foot (22.5 degrees and 45 degrees are the most useful).

A spindle lock to simplify blade replacement.

Built-in work light to illuminate the workpiece.

Laser guidance helps keep the saw aligned.

Blade

Most new saws are equipped with universal wood cutting blades with carbide tips. If the saw is equipped with a simple high-speed stainless steel saw blade, its low price may not be so cheap; you may immediately replace it with a more expensive carbide blade.

A good carbide blade may be the only blade you need, but there are many other types of blades for special purposes. You can buy some blades to cut wood, metal, tiles, and concrete. If you plan to do a lot of work that requires clean cuts, consider buying a blade with more teeth. It only takes a few minutes to replace the blade.