Circular saws for wood: model characteristics and tips for choosing

The circular saw for wood is a demanded carpentry power tool and is widely used in construction and repair. The great popularity of the device is due to the ease of use, safety of use and wide consumer availability.

The circular saw is a compact, modern device designed for work related to wood processing. The scope of the tool is quite wide. It is successfully used for sawing boards, fibreboard and chipboard, plywood and MDF sheets. In addition to wood surfaces, the device perfectly cuts laminated and plastic panels, laminated materials, slate and organic glass. In addition, circular saws are used for cutting sheet materials of any format, including metal ones, as well as for sawing grooves on various products and workpieces.

High consumer demand and a large number of positive reviews are due to a number of important advantages of this tool.

• The ability to work with many materials significantly expands the scope of the devices, allowing them to be used in a wide variety of areas of human activity.
• Thanks to the design features and the hidden location of the working disc, the use of circular saws is completely safe. This compares favorably with chainsaws, in which the cutting unit does not have protection and, if used ineptly or carelessly, can cause injury.
• The absolutely flat and smooth cutting surface and the absence of burrs significantly increase the quality of the work performed and make the tool even more popular.
• Many well-known companies are engaged in the production of circular saws, which guarantees their excellent quality and long service life.
• In the modern power tool market, devices are presented in a wide price range, which allows you to choose both a powerful professional model and an inexpensive option for home use.

Circular saws are pretty simple. They consist of a robust housing with a collector-type asynchronous electric motor located inside it. On its working shaft, special discs with sharpened toothed edges are fixed, through which the material is cut. Above and below the saw blade is protected by movable and fixed covers, which exclude contact of the blade with hands, and ensure complete safety of the device. The design also includes adjustment switches, a handle with start and lock buttons, a stop front handle and a parallel guide.

It is the most important indicator and determines the performance of the device.The higher this figure, the harder and thicker material you will be able to cut. On this basis, devices are divided into three categories: low, medium and high power.

• The first ones are represented by inexpensive household appliances with a power of 500-1200 W, capable of sawing a board up to 45 mm thick. Disks mounted on such circulars usually do not exceed 16 cm in diameter, and the scope of use of the devices is limited to home repairs and small construction.
• The next category is represented by saws from 1200 to 1800 W, able to cope with a board with a thickness of 6 cm and adapted for discs with a diameter of up to 20 cm. The tool belongs to the category of semi-professional and is considered the most bought and common type of electric saw.
• And finally, serious professional devices have a power of up to 2500 W, can be used with canvases up to 350 mm in diameter, and are able to cope not only with wood and plastic, but also with metal.

It depends entirely on the disc of what diameter is installed on the unit. Saws with larger blades have a larger kerf and vice versa.

This indicator is also an important technical parameter and has a direct impact on the quality of the cut and the processing time of the material. The more revolutions the disc makes per minute, the smoother and more accurate the cutting surface will be.

This technical parameter determines the angle at which the device is able to cut. Most models can cut wood at an angle of 45 degrees, but more advanced models can be set at 60. Weight and size also affect the functionality of the unit, and the weight of the device has a decisive effect in this case. The weight of the equipment directly depends on the power of the motor: the stronger the engine, the heavier the tool.

It should be noted that the presence of such options does not have a decisive effect on the operation of the unit, but only makes it more convenient and safe to use.

• One of the most common "bonuses" is the speed controller. This is a rather necessary and useful function, which is extremely necessary when working with materials of various structures and densities.
• Soft start promotes soft start of the disc, which increases their service life, making it safer to work with the device.
• The harsh braking option is not found on all devices and is useful in the event of a jammed working disk. As soon as the cutting tool stops rotating for some reason, the engine immediately decelerates and does not overheat.
• The laser beam allows you to make accurate markings on the work surface, increasing the accuracy of the cut.
• Backlighting is also a fairly common option and allows you not to stop work in low light or at night.
• The dust removal function also belongs to the category of additional, allows you to store sawdust in special containers or bags that come with the device.
• And another useful option is blocking an accidental start. It greatly enhances the safety of the instrument by preventing the engine from starting until the unit is removed.

The classification of circular saws is made according to several criteria, the main of which is the type of power supply of the device. According to this criterion, two types of devices are distinguished: network and battery. The first ones operate on a 220 V electrical network and need a power source in the immediate vicinity. The advantage of this type is low weight, high power and no need for regular battery charging. The disadvantages include the inability to use in places where there is no electricity.

The second type is represented by autonomous devices powered by a battery. In terms of power, such devices are significantly inferior to network devices, and are able to operate on a single battery charge for only about an hour. This imposes certain inconveniences in the organization of the workflow and reduces productivity. The next sign of difference is device mobility. According to this criterion, two types of equipment are distinguished: stationary and portable. The first type is represented by devices fixed on a special workbench table, and often requires connection to a three-phase network. Stationary saws are used in woodworking workshops, in plastic window factories and in furniture production.

The third type is represented by hand-held mobile devices, which are equipped with a convenient case and can be moved to work anywhere. The next feature of the difference is the mechanism for holding the working disk. According to this criterion, the models are divided into two types. In the first, the removal and replacement of the disk is performed using a special key and requires a certain skill and time. Such devices are not very expensive and are suitable for home use.

Before you start purchasing a circular saw, you need to determine how often and for what purposes it will be used. So, if the product is chosen for home and will not be used very often, then it is better to choose an inexpensive mobile model with a power of up to 1200 watts. Metal plates, of course, cannot be sawed with such a device, but it will quite cope with a wooden bar 4-5 cm thick.

If the model is chosen for professional activity, then the choice here will depend on the organization of the workflow. So, if it is supposed to work in a workshop, then it is better to purchase a powerful stationary model with a laser "ruler" and the ability to form arbitrary saw cut angles. If the work will be carried out on the road or outdoors, then the mobile, and sometimes only the battery option will do.

The next selection criterion is the type of power supply of the device. For work in the country, in the garden or in the garage, it is better to buy a rechargeable model that can be used away from electrical outlets. If the power supply is always at hand, then it is more advisable to purchase a light network model. When buying models for frequent use, it is better to choose a product with additional functions: controller, switch-on lock, sawdust collector and speed controller. While these features are optional, they make the instrument much easier and safer to use.

After selecting the unit itself, you should proceed with the selection of disks. So, for a professional tool, it is better to choose high-strength carbide blades. They are able to withstand heavy loads and have a long service life. For very fine cuts, you should buy discs made of steel with variable teeth and brazed cut blades. If radial or pendulum sawing of wood material is assumed, then it is better to choose specialized discs designed directly for these works.

The modern power tool market presents a large number of models of both well-known brands and budget samples of small companies. And although due to high competition, most of the tools entering the market are of high quality and excellent performance, some models should be noted separately.

• Top 10 manual disc Makita 5704R model... The device is perfect for both home use and workshop work. The shaft rotation speed is 4900 rpm, and the electric motor power is 1.2 kW.Such a saw costs about 7,000 rubles.

• In second place in the rating is the device of the same Japanese brand - model Makita 5903R... The device is more suitable for professional use, has a power of 2 kW and can cut wood both along and across. And also the saw is able to cope with thin aluminum sheets and plastic. Such a device costs 9,000 rubles.

• Germany closes the top three Bosch model PKS-40 series... A power of 0.6 kW is quite enough for cutting wood blanks up to 4.5 cm thick and thin plastic. The shaft rotation speed is 4.5 thousand rpm, weight - 2.2 kg, price - 3,900 rubles.

• Japanese model Hitachi C13U has a power of 2 kW, the engine speed is 3400 rpm, the cost of the device reaches 14 800 rubles. This device weighs 13 kg, which is why it is intended exclusively for stationary installation and can be used as a miter saw.

• Saw Skil 5740 CA with a motor speed of 4,300 rpm is also a purchasable household model. The device is compatible with Bosch discs, has a power of 0.7 kW and costs 3,089 rubles.

• Rounding out the top 10 rechargeable DeWALT DCS576N model and DeWALT DWE 550 networked model cost 15,400 and 7,710 rubles, respectively, a device with a laser guide Ryobi RCS1600-K 5133002779 at a price of 8,000 rubles, as well as a saw "Interskol" DP210 for 6,200 rubles. and Hyundai М1500 with the same cost.

Due to the design features, the operation of circular saws is quite safe, however, some rules still need to be followed.

• When working with the tool, you must use personal protective equipment: glasses, headphones and a respirator.
• Replace the disc only when the device is disconnected from the mains.
• It is desirable to secure the workpiece and the cut-off part with a vise or other holding device.
• Place the power cord as far away from the scratch disk as possible.
• Before starting work, it is necessary to check the serviceability of the protective covers and the integrity of the cord.
• It is strictly forbidden to install discs of the wrong size. If it is necessary to compensate for the inner diameter, adapters should be used.

A circular saw is a complex mechanical device, so it should only be serviced at service centers. However, you can sharpen the working discs yourself. In this case, it is necessary to strictly maintain the angle of inclination of the sharpening, and the formation of the teeth should be performed according to standard parameters. Unauthorized modification of the shape and inclination of the teeth is strictly prohibited. Sharpening is necessary only on special equipment. File sharpening of discs changes the cutting surface and may reduce the quality of work. Sharpening of tipped carbide cutting blades should only be done with diamond grinding discs.

For information on how to choose a circular saw for wood, see the next video.