Features of cordless circular saws

A circular saw is a useful tool for anyone who is often faced with the task of cutting wood during manual processing, although some models are capable of cutting other sheet materials. If you still prefer to cut lumber by hand, you might just need to take a closer look at this segment of the tool.

The principle of operation of a cordless circular saw is practically no different from the usual network circular saw, only it works on a battery. This fact determines the main differences: the cordless tool weighs a little more, but is mobile - it can be used outside the workshop and even where, for some reason, there is no access to a working outlet. Indicators of autonomy of the tool depend on the battery, which usually produces a voltage in the range of 10-28 V. The frequency of revolutions, often in the range of 1400-4000 revolutions every minute, largely depends on the voltage output.

When working on dense and hard material, increasing the number of revolutions can significantly improve productivity and speed up sawing, but fragile material from this can crumble, therefore those models that allow for the possibility of regulating this moment are especially successful.

The vast majority of modern models are equipped with lithium-ion batteries, but still sometimes you can find an outdated solution in the form of a nickel and cadmium battery. The latter has lost its popularity for a number of reasons: it weighs a lot, is dangerous for the environment, and most importantly, over time, it quickly reduces the maximum charge indicator, but it is very cheap and practically does not react to the surrounding low temperature. The good thing about the lithium-ion solution is that such a battery weighs quite little, does not have a "memory effect" (it can be charged at any time, even without being completely discharged, it practically does not discharge during a long idle period) and often has a higher capacity. However, its price is on average higher, and in the cold it can be discharged very quickly.

A cordless saw, like a network saw, assumes the ability to install cutting blades of different diameters, but due to the solely battery power, experts usually advise against using large discs. This fact greatly limits the maximum thickness of the cut material. So, the board to be cut should usually be no thicker than 7 cm. Moreover, most models are equipped with a swivel sole. However, all the same, the main disadvantage of the tool is that it is absolutely not intended for a rotary cut.

A mini-hand saw does not imply any kind of multi-stage classification, so it is not so difficult to consider its varieties. The first criterion that should play a role in the selection is the focus on a particular material. The predominant part of such a tool is intended for woodworking, but in recent years, many leading manufacturers have begun to focus on the production of modifications for soft metals - mainly aluminum. There is no clear gradation regarding autonomy - the dependence of the time of independent operation from the battery and its various characteristics, as well as the operating conditions, has already been described above.

But it should be noted that some models, due to their design features, imply some limitation of the maximum disc diameter, which in the future will affect the ability to process thick sheet materials.

The review of the manufacturers of cordless circular saws is generally not entirely honest, since each of them has both very good models and not the most successful ones. In addition, the lineup of each of the leading brands is updated annually, so it makes no sense to define a place for each of the manufacturers. The companies described below are presented in random order, it is possible that your personal experience with the saw of any of them may not coincide with the general judgment of most masters. Moreover, we consider only top brands that are found in any store and are well known to professionals, but it may be that you will find a good sample released by another, little-known company.

• Makita Is a popular Japanese brand of electric tools that does not need any special introduction. Most consumers agree that the different models from this company can be a good start for a newbie, since they are not only easy to operate, but also provide many features for the operator's safety. The service life of such a tool is quite long, while the Japanese engineers took care of a decent configuration that allows you to expand the available scope of work.

• Bosch Is another, now a German company, which has made a well-recognized name for itself thanks to power tools, as well as household appliances. The good thing about choosing this particular brand is that Bosch offers a wide range of other tools and accessories that are mutually compatible. For example, a construction vacuum cleaner can be connected to a special saw connection, so that order can be kept in the workshop. Such products are also appreciated for the high accuracy of the cuts, as well as for the low noise level. At the same time, some consumers complain about the rather modest choice of cutting discs, which somewhat narrows the range of materials available for cutting.

• Ryobi - the company is not so well-known, since even its range of products is not so large, but in terms of cordless circular saws, it is able to leave behind many eminent competitors. When creating the line, the developers focused on ensuring the maximum accuracy of the cut, and this was achieved, among other things, due to the most ergonomic handles. However, with all the advantages, the brand's units are often criticized for their rather low power and inability to solve industrial-scale tasks.

• Metabo, according to many lovers of working with their hands, produces decent saws without distortions for the better or worse. It is generally accepted that it is from this brand that many saws do the best with oblique cuts, while the tool has a very high maximum number of revolutions for its weight within five kilograms.

When deciding on the choice of a cordless circular saw, pay attention to a number of characteristics that can make a purchase both profitable and practically useless.First, think over what needs and what materials you need such a tool for. For each of the main materials, separate models are produced, it is not recommended to use any of them for other than its intended purpose - you can simply break the unit.

Large blade can be used to cut thick materialsbut it needs a more powerful motor and a large battery to rotate quickly, which greatly increases the cost and weight of the tool. It is logical to assume that if you doubt the need for cutting especially thick materials in the future, there is no point in purchasing a model "with a margin".

According to the maximum cutting depth, all circular saws are divided into three main categories, such as:

• if you plan to cut only sheet materials and perform mainly small work, 40-50 mm of kerf will be enough for you;
• tools designed for a saw blade diameter of 50–65 mm are considered universal and most widespread - for home use it seems to be a stock, but small;
• Cordless saws with a maximum cutting depth of more than 65 mm are rare - they would need a large and heavy battery to work effectively, so such units are usually plugged into an outlet.

As the speed increases, the heating of both the disc itself and the material is often observed, which in some cases can damage the workpiece, so it is best to choose saws with adjustable speeds. The circular saw seems to be a fairly simple mechanism, but even in it there was a place for certain "smart" technologies. Among the battery options, their distribution is not so wide, but in many cases they can provide an invaluable service.

Cordless circular saws can be equipped with the following functions:

• constant speed function helps maintain a stable speed when cutting uneven material, which makes the saw less likely to wedge, and the cut is more accurate;
• smooth start prevents jerk at start at high speeds, which allows not so intensive wear of the engine;
• overload protection catches the moment when the load on the tool reaches an alarming extent, and shuts down the engine to prevent its combustion;
• the presence of a brake on the engine increases the safety of operation of the unit not only for the tool itself, but also for the operator.

The ideal base plate for cordless saws is made from light alloy casting, which are characterized by high strength and low weight. Ideally, the tool should have a bevel cut adjustment with a wide range of angles. A guide rail, which helps to achieve maximum accuracy when cutting a sheet, is often not included with a particular saw, but such an accessory is often available in a universal version and can be purchased separately. I must also say about a characteristic that too many beginners do not pay attention to - we are talking about the convenience and ergonomics of the handles.

Since the cordless circular saw is good precisely for its portability, it is rarely used in the most convenient workshop, which means that the tool will have to be kept suspended, possibly for a long time.

In the next video, you will find an overview of the Ryobi cordless circular saw.