The circular saw everything you wanted to know about it and its use

For beginners, a saw is a saw so long as it cut through material. However, technically, there are lots of types of saws out there created specifically for a particular job. This handyman.guide will cover the circular saw – everything you wanted to know about it and its use

What is a circular saw?

A circular saw is a movable mechanical tool applied in DIY tasks to slice through huge pieces of wood, concrete, plastic, metals, and some other materials such as bricks. This saw cut concrete can make curved and straight cuts. Because of its high sawing capacity and precision, it is very popular among professionals and DIY enthusiasts. It is an effective tool for carrying out various tasks be it in a workshop or any construction site.

Circular saws usually utilize a round blade that is ruled with sharp metal teeth. The blade rotates to slice through the material smoothly. These saws additionally have a handle featuring a trigger, a guard for safety purposes, and a nut to keep the blade in place.

These saws are either electric or manual. However, nowadays nobody is using the manual one, everything has been automated and all are electrical. 

A circular saw will not slice through wood as easily as your table saw, however with some techniques, a little finesse, and some practice; you can use a circular saw to cut as accurately as a table saw. Continue reading so that we give you some blueprints on how you can use a circular saw to quickly and accurately cut plywood and longboards.

Circular saw uses

The uses of a circular saw are not restricted to woodworking only, this saw can be used to accomplish numerous tasks.

In Sawmills to Cut Large-Sized Timbers

Previously, mills utilized medium or small circular saws to slice through large pieces of timber. These conventional saws were efficient for laths. However, currently, sawmills have switched to bigger circular saws, some even measuring up to 3 meters of radius to cut large timbers into smaller and more manageable sizes.

 Creating Bevels

Bevels are simply horizontal or vertical slopes that are usually used to join separate pieces of wood with more power. A circular saw is the most ideal tool utilized to create bevels of 45 degrees. However, they will not give you perfect slopes. Slopes from this saw are for large infrastructural and construction worksites where accuracy and precision are not necessary.

Cutting Down Long Plywood

Plywood and long and thin boards are the majority of woodworking. When it comes to this job, a table saw will not help that much. However, with few techniques and a proper circular saw, cutting long plywood is easier than using other saws. Most proficient woodworker have always argued that cutting plywood with a circular saw is easier.

 Cutting Logs into Firewood

Some time back, rural individuals used a certain type of circular saw, referred to as cordwood saw to cut slabs and long logs. They cut the logs into small pieces and turned them into firewood with the assistance of a cordwood saw. Currently, large-scale firewood sellers have turned to circulars saws at the expense of traditional chainsaws. This is because chainsaws tend to tear and wear fast. 

Cutting Down Metals 

There is a particular type of saw referred to as a cold saw which is used to cut down metals like steel, bronze, and brass into smaller manageable sizes. The large diameter of this saw together with its sharp teeth helps manufacturers chop down metals with a lot of precision.

Straight Cuts

A circular saw is also perfect at cutting straight cuts like 90-degree cuts. This saw is created for cutting boards, metals, and timber into different angles. However, if you are after smooth cuts, utilize a blade with many teeth. Otherwise, for fast and abrasive cuts, use a blade with fewer teeth.

Cross-Cutting

Crosscutting is the best way to chop long timber boards into shorter manageable sizes and a crosscut saw is a perfect tool for this purpose. Check out https://gharpedia.com/blog/crosscut-saws-inforamation/ to learn more about the pros of using a crosscut saw. A circular saw also cuts wood in the direction of the grain. This means that if a carpenter applies a traditional crosscut, the grain quality will remain high. The most suitable way to get a crosscut easily is to utilize a circular saw. When compared to a jig or table saw, a circular saw efficiently crosscuts boards faster.

FAQs

Do you need to oil a circular saw?

Most saws don’t require you to lubricate them because this is done during the manufacturing process. There are a couple of moving parts and there are tools that can be utilized to change the blade. To unclog the blade simply disconnect power, remove the blade and clean it.

How dangerous is a circular saw?

When using a circular saw, OSHA warns of three potential hazards that most workers face: kickbacks, the point of operation, and flying particles. Point of operation implies that the worker’s hands may slip when cutting in case they are too close to the blade.

Can you miter with a circular saw?

Though tricky, it is possible to make crisp, miter cuts and accurate bevels with a circular saw. Sometimes it may be tough to get started because the blade guard can stick. It is even more difficult to follow accurately follow the line minus twisting the blade because the blade is angled.

Conclusion

The uses of a circular saw are many and it all depends on the skill and experience a worker has. However, some other uses may require a table saw or a jigsaw. A saw is not just a saw as long as it can cut, there is more than just cutting.