Circular saw hand how to choose for home

How to choose a handheld electric circular saw?

circular, hand, choose, home

  • Features and purpose
  • Design
  • How to choose?
  • Rating of the best models
  • Operating rules

A hand-held electric circular saw is a very popular tool, it will come in handy for a sawmill, for an apartment renovator, for a carpenter, and even for some summer residents. At the same time, the apparent simplicity of the design should not be misleading: such a tool can differ significantly from model to model, and only a reasonable selection of a specific unit will help to extract all the expected benefits from it.

Rating of the best models

The concept of the best models in the case of circular saws is very vague, because each consumer starts from his own needs. In addition, the model lines of all leading manufacturers are regularly updated, so any allocation of seats does not seem appropriate. With this in mind, consider a few popular models from leading brands.

  • Makita HS7601 is one of the best home solutions. With a modest price of about 4 thousand rubles, this device is equipped with a 1200 watt motor. A disc with a diameter of 19 cm rotates at a speed of more than 5 thousand revolutions every minute, allowing you to cut materials up to 6.5 cm thick.The weight of the device with all characteristics is quite small: only 4 kg.
  • Bosch GKS 190 at a price of the same 4 thousand rubles is already a worthy semi-professional solution. Although the blade has the same diameter of 19 cm, however, the thinner spindle allows you to increase the maximum cutting depth up to 7 cm. In terms of rotation speed, this saw is one of the most outstanding, providing 5.5 thousand revolutions per minute. The increase in power and the number of revolutions practically did not affect the weight: it is 4.2 kg.
  • Interskol DP-165/1200 is a typical representative of the domestic industry, which is popular due to its lower cost: it does not exceed 2.5 thousand rubles. In this case, the manufacturer offers a household saw with more modest performance than the Makita HS7601: with a power of the same 1200 watts and a reduced disc with a diameter of 16.5 cm, the rotation speed did not increase, and even dropped to 4700 rpm. At the same time, both the cutting depth (decreased to 5.5 cm) and weight (increased to 4.5 kg) suffered, but for this price it is still one of the best solutions for home use.
  • DeWALT DWE560 is an alternative semi-professional solution with a capacity of 1350 watts from a well-known American manufacturer. The specified power allows the 184mm disc to rotate at up to 5500 rpm per minute, cutting sheet materials up to 65mm deep. The advantage, albeit insignificant, will be some weight reduction: of all the models described, this is the lightest, since it weighs 3.7 kg.

How to choose?

Choosing one or another electrical appliance, you need to understand two things: for the sake of what tasks it is acquired and what basic characteristics should it possess for the sake of their successful solution. In the case of a saw, the power of the engine is usually considered the most fundamental moment: it depends on what size the disc is and at what speed it can rotate. The larger the circles you plan to use, the higher the power of the unit should be, but do not forget that an increase in this indicator also increases the weight of the device. In general, models with engine power below 1.2 kW are considered to be household and designed only for simple tasks, and units more powerful than 2 kW are considered professional.

The cutting depth is another important factor, because if this indicator is too small, the saw simply will not take the material intended for cutting. This criterion depends not only on the power of the motor, but also on the size of the disc socket. There are only four main typical sizes: household (up to 4.5 cm cut), semi-professional (5–5.5 cm), professional (6–7 cm) and very rare industrial (up to 14 cm). Experts advise to choose a cutting wheel with only a small margin of cutting depth, otherwise it is almost impossible to guarantee the stability of the workpiece and the tool.

Good models often have a depth-limiting function, thanks to which even larger diameters can be cut into thin sheets.

The speed of rotation of the disk in the case of dense wood should be as high as possible. this will make the cut more accurate, and the productivity will increase significantly. For cutting plastic, this logic does not work: during operation, the circle can heat up significantly, and the plastic workpiece can melt under such conditions. Expensive universal saws, designed to work with different types of materials, allow the operator to adjust the speed. At the same time, the widespread opinion about a direct relationship between engine power and maximum speed does not always correspond to reality, because in this equation there should be a place for the weight of the disc. Many modern models also have the function of cutting at an angle. If you are interested in a circular saw for cutting boards or plywood at home, this function is unlikely to come in handy, but for the needs of professional construction it can be critical.

In addition to the main technical characteristics that affect the production capabilities of the tool, it is impossible not to pay attention to many useful additional functions. In many of today’s models, the start is specifically carried out by two buttons that are remote from each other. thanks to this, the unit will not start accidentally, which minimizes the risk of injury. The good thing about the smooth start is that the disk picks up speed, albeit quickly, but gradually, which is why the engine does not experience an instant load and wears out more slowly. Many models provide in their design the presence of a special nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, while others even have a stationary device for removing shavings. all this allows not only to keep the workplace clean, but also to prevent dust from getting into the eyes or lungs.

In certain conditions, laser pointers, illumination of the working area, protection against disc kickback and many other newfangled tricks can also be of significant value.

Design

a saw of any manufacturer and of any class is arranged almost always the same, with the exception of small parts, which already belong to the category of convenience rather than productivity. The main driving part is an electric motor connected directly to the power supply or battery. With the help of a drive belt, the torque is transmitted to the cutting disc, which is mounted on the spindle and can be replaced either due to wear or for cutting a specific material. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the working area of ​​the cutting disc is fenced with a reflective visor, which does not allow sawdust and small fragments of the cut material to fly apart, increasing the risk of injury.

The spindle for the disc and it itself are attached to the cuvette, that is, the body of the unit, holding the cut-off wheel in the correct position. Precise control is carried out by means of a support attached to the cuvette on a movable hinge. This version of the circular saw device today is already considered rather primitive, since it does not reflect the popular nowadays desire to make every simple device “smart”. Most modern models have more complex parts in their design that are responsible for the safety of the operator and the mechanism itself: for example, some saws are able to turn off the engine when the load on it has increased excessively, or automatically adjust the power, increasing it as the resistance from the material increases.

Features and purpose

The device is designed primarily for cutting wood and its derivatives, although many specific models assume work with other sheet materials, including tiles and soft sheet metal. A metal disc with special solders and sharp teeth is used as a cutting part, the number of revolutions of which is several thousand times per minute. Such a constructive solution does not allow the use of a curly cutting tool, but in most cases it provides a very accurate and accurate cut in a straight line.

The weight of the unit can vary from 2 to 10 kg. All circular saws can be conditionally divided into stationary and portable, mains and battery-powered ones, depending on the mass indicators and the method of feeding. Mains need a working electrical outlet to work, while rechargeable batteries use a battery to power the engine. The design in the form of a round cutting element, which simply does not imply a reverse movement, helps to save battery power, and at the same time significantly increase productivity when cutting. Consequently, all movements of the sharp edge are beneficial, resulting in energy savings of approximately 50%.

Taking this into account, expensive modern professional-class models are able to work autonomously up to 8 hours, while the charging process from a branded device can take only half an hour.

Operating rules

A circular saw is a fairly simple tool in technical terms, but at the same time, improper operation can be fraught with injury, not to mention damage or accelerated wear of the main components of the mechanism. To prevent all these negative phenomena, you should carefully read the instructions supplied with each copy before installing and starting work. Even if some of the provisions from the instructions seem far-fetched or insufficiently substantiated, it is better not to neglect the advice of the creators.

Even before buying, you should carefully study the instructions for the saw for specific working conditions. This is especially true for battery units, which can discharge much faster in severe frost conditions, or, in the case of an old nickel-cadmium battery, have a “memory effect”, forcing the battery to completely discharge before charging. It is also important that charging the battery for such units usually takes about half an hour, however, for each model, you can use only a specially released licensed charger that provides the required current characteristics, otherwise a quick breakdown of the battery cannot be avoided. Recall that the battery can be replaced, but it usually costs more by itself than all the other parts of the unit put together.

Self-repair of the saw, as a rule, is considered undesirable. at least, the guarantee for the tool, as in the case of any other technique, immediately expires after unauthorized intervention. Having entrusted the tool to the master, the owner must be confident in his competence: the safety of further work with the device may depend on this.

For information on how to choose the right hand-held electric circular saw, see the following video.

Rpm

This parameter determines productivity, cutting quality and the ability to work with different materials. The higher the indicator, the denser materials the saw can handle. It should be borne in mind that the higher the indicator, the less likely the disc will jam.

Cutting depth

This indicator depends to a large extent on the disc used, on the diameter of which the dimensions of the processed material depend. A tool designed for use with small diameter discs will not allow accurate cutting of large workpieces.

The most popular saws for one-time work are saws with a cutting depth of 40-50 mm. For professional work, where efficiency and quality are important, they purchase tools with a cutting depth of 60-70 mm and more.

Power

The thickness and density of the processed parts depends on the power of the tool. When working with wood, it must be borne in mind that the density of wood depends on its species. A more powerful tool will deal with tighter wood faster.

It should be noted that the power of the saw is directly proportional to its weight. Working for a long time with a heavy tool is uncomfortable.

After analyzing the expected scope of work, select the saw power, which can be:

  • Small. up to 0.8 kW;
  • Medium. from 0.8 to 1.2 kW;
  • Large. more than 1.2 kW.

An important parameter especially for a circular saw, which is suspended during operation. It is preferable to choose a lightweight version.

Diameter of discs used

The outer diameter of the blade does not affect the working speed; it determines the depth of cut. This diameter depends on the dimensions of the protective cover. For most models, it is in the range from 130 to 250 mm.

Inner bore diameter: 16 to 32 mm. It must match the diameter of the power shaft.

Circular saw selection parameters

Before purchasing a circular saw, you need to clearly determine what tasks will be performed with the tool. Depending on these tasks, the choice is made on the type of saw. The selection of the tool is carried out taking into account the most important characteristics.

Additional functions

Most of the models have additional functions that make work easier and more comfortable:

Smooth start. when cutting the workpiece, sharp cuts into the material are minimized, the quality of the cut is increased. Engine service life is increased.

Collecting sawdust. the presence in the structure of a branch pipe for connecting a vacuum cleaner.

Laser mark. the laser beam forms the trajectory along which the cut must be made. The beam avoids the use of a guide bar when working with a circular saw. However, to master the function, a certain skill of owning the instrument as a whole is required.

Circular Saw Safety Tips

Stationary chip removal system. practical for small volumes of work, when there is no need to connect a vacuum cleaner.

Start blocking. protects the master from accidental starting of the tool (to turn on the saw, press two buttons).

Body material

Most of the models are made of high-strength plastic. The body of a professional tool can be made of metal, which increases the working life of the tool.

Stationary circular saw on the bed

A tool of this type will be useful for those who have a small home workshop. The cutting depth, depending on the model, can be from 50 to 140 mm.

A feature of the tool is the presence of a bed, which can be of two types:

Cast. used in the construction of powerful saws, it is characterized by high weight and stability. Installation requires a solid base, preferably concrete.

Prefabricated (welded). used in small machines. Differs in mobility.

The working table of the tool is made of a metal sheet (aluminum, steel or cast iron). The table has a special slot for the working disk. The table surface is equipped with guide rulers for easy cutting of the material.

Benefits:

  • The use of the bed reduces the vibration of the tool, which increases the quality and accuracy of material processing;
  • Decrease in noise level;
  • The ability to process wider workpieces;
  • The ability to set precise settings for processing workpieces;
  • Dust collector (on most models).

Disadvantages:

  • Limiting the size of workpieces to be processed.

Rip fence and guide rail

When deciding which hand-held circular saw to choose, not the last question will be the accuracy of its operation, for which parallel stops and guide rails are used. The first of these is, in fact, an ordinary stand or ruler on which the saw sole rests when it is guided along the workpiece. In general, a good method, but it requires some skill in controlling the circular. you have to guide the saw and simultaneously press it against the rip fence.

The guide bar is a great cutting accuracy, as the tool does not have the ability to “wiggle” to the side during operation. To do this, a special groove is provided in the saw sole, with which it is “put on” on a previously exposed guide rail.

If it is necessary to maintain the direction of the cut manually, various sights are used. from a slotted opening on the base plate to a laser mower line builder, which will show where the saw is “going”.

Circular saws depending on the intensity of use

Here it is necessary to take into account the scope of the proposed work and the planned speed of its implementation. depending on this, the appropriate type of circular saw is selected:

Professional. The materials and design solutions used in such devices allow them to be used without interruption throughout the working day. Usually these are universal tools that are suitable for processing materials of various stiffness and sizes.

Household. Modern household circular saws, like professional models, can boast of versatility in work, but without fail they require compliance with the load regime. Usually this is about 15 minutes of work for the same amount of rest time.

Left-handed right-handed

About 10% of people on Earth are left-handed and manufacturers must take this into account when releasing mirror models of instruments.

Spindle stopper

To make it more convenient to change the working discs, the saw motor shaft can be fixed with a separate button or lever. sometimes for this, fast disc braking mechanisms are used and fixation can occur in any position. It may be the other way around. in some cases, manufacturers consider the spindle stopper to be an unnecessary function and then the disc has to be changed with two keys.

The disc tightening nut does not need to be tightened with a wrench. In some cases, it is tightened with a screwdriver or generally made with a quick-release. for hand tightening.

How To Use A Circular Saw For Beginners— Power Tools Made Easy #3

Base plate and cutting depth: straight and angled

The cutting depth indicates exactly how much the blade can be immersed in the workpiece. Nobody gives an exact classification here, but it is conventionally accepted to divide saws according to the following cutting depths:

  • 4-5 cm. the initial, least powerful class of instruments.
  • 5-6.5 cm. representatives of the universal “golden mean”.
  • 6.5-14 cm. heavy, professional devices.

The cutting depth is not always determined solely by the difference between the outer radius of the saw blade and the bore hole. To a greater extent, it is necessary to look at how much the disc protrudes beyond the plane of the base plate, since this part additionally “eats” 1-1.5 cm, and normal work is simply impossible without it. It is also necessary to take into account the ability of the circular saw to make cuts at an angle, which again is determined by the design of the base plate.

If a circular saw allows you to cut at a variable angle, then in the characteristics the manufacturer usually indicates the cutting depth for 90 ° and 45 °.

For an example of an adjustment and an angle cut, see

When choosing a circular saw with the ability to adjust the cutting angle, special attention should be paid to the quality of the base plate and the fasteners and graduations located on it. The main features of quality are the simplicity of changing the position, the ease and reliability of fixing the clamps, as well as the absence of backlash. Not all manufacturers succeed in getting rid of them completely, but if the base plate of a new tool “backlash” after fixing all the “lambs”, then you should think about finding an alternative.

The base plate material is often cast light alloys, but not uncommon and stamped steel platforms. The former are lighter and hold their shape well, while the latter are more resistant to impacts.

Stamped outsole.

Molded outsole.

Varieties and selection of the required type of circular saw

To choose the type of circular saw suitable for the planned work, you need to imagine their existing varieties.

Overload protection system

Practice shows that most often, overheating of the motor of an electric tool is not allowed by beginners, but by masters with extensive experience, who, due to haste or for some other reason, stop “listening” to the state of the engine. In this case, the safety of the windings and their protection from overheating is taken over by the motor overload protection system, which monitors the level of energy consumption and turns off the power when there is a sharp jump in the load on the network.

Slip clutch

When the saw blade stops abruptly, none of the existing braking systems is capable of instantly stopping the engine so that its inertia does not create a kickback that tears the saw out of the operator’s hands. To protect against such accidents, a slip clutch is used, which, instead of trying to stop the engine, simply breaks the contact between it and the saw blade. The latter remains in the material, while the engine continues to rotate by itself. However, the operator will immediately turn it off, because when the slip clutch is triggered, a short-term “howling” of the motor will occur due to a sharp increase in revolutions from a decrease in load.