Almost all saws are powered by mains electricity, but there are also battery-powered counterparts.
As for the choice of the manufacturer of this tool, there is no consensus. As always, such brands as Makita, DWT, Bosch, Hitachi are good. Close to them are approaching such manufacturers as Sparky, Sturm, Zenith.
The circular circular saw is designed for quick and convenient cutting of almost any soft material. These are wood and materials based on it, as well as plastic and soft metal.
With regards to wood, as the most popular material in construction, I can say that you can cut it with such a tool both across and along the fibers. Also on all circular models, it is possible to cut at an angle of up to 45 degrees.
Structurally, the tool consists of an electric motor with a shaft, a saw blade with teeth, a protective casing and some additional elements, which we will talk about below.
Household or professional?
When choosing a circular saw, first of all, you need to figure out for yourself why you need this tool. If you have big construction work ahead. to saw wood, parquet boards, laminate, chipboard or OSB, then turn your eyes to professional models. If the tool is needed for the housework only in rare cases, and most of the time it lies in your pantry idle, it makes sense to purchase a household circular.
What is the difference between a household and a professional tool?
The main difference is the engine performance, its resource, as well as the quality of the parts and materials used.
The engine power of household circular saws is less than the power of a professional tool. Accordingly, with less power, a disk of a smaller diameter is used, which cuts the material to a shallower depth.
In addition, the engine of a household tool should be turned off periodically, giving it time to cool. I will explain by my own example.
Using a professional model, in an hour and a half of continuous work I was able to saw as many blanks of chipboard as I could to create four huge cabinets. If I used a household model, then the work would take 2 times more time. In this case, the quality would remain the same. But the cost of a professional tool will be twice as high.
Manual or desktop?
The choice of a particular option depends, of course, on you. Where will you work?
Suppose you equipped a separate place in the workshop in the country or in the garage, and all the work will be carried out there. In this case, choose a table saw.
Desktop models are usually more powerful. It is also very convenient to work on such a stationary machine.
By the way, there are special devices on sale that allow you to fix the hand saw on the table in an inverted state. The result is a mini-machine on which you can work with great convenience. True, such mounts are not suitable for all models.
There are also models of circular saws, in which the installation on the bed is already provided in the kit. Consider these features when choosing.
Video on how to choose a circular saw
Main characteristics
Let’s take a look at the functions of circulars that cannot be ignored.
Engine power
Video: Choosing a Circular Saw for Your Tasks
powerful engines are able to cut material faster, and the density of the material can be higher. The sawing process will be much easier. Have you ever sawed wood with knots? So, a low-power saw can easily jam on one of the knots.
As they say, a direct correlation of power and work efficiency.
On the other hand, low-power circular saws have one "weighty" advantage. it is lightweight, thanks to which this tool can be carried with you without much stress. So, a model with a power of 2000 W weighs about 7 kg, and a saw with a power of 1200 W is only 3-4 kg.
For domestic work, a tool with a power of 1000-1200 watts is quite suitable. If you do not work with the tool professionally, then the power reserve will remain unclaimed.
The price of the whole product also depends on power. This is quite logical. The difference in price can reach one hundred percent or more.
Saw blade speed
This indicator characterizes the performance of the saw blade. A disk that rotates at a higher speed can cut hard wood more efficiently. Higher revs. less likely to jam the disc in wood. In addition, the cut is more accurate and even.
By the way, the rotation speed can be high even on low-power circular saws, so choose a model with the highest possible rotation speed of the disk.
Cutting depth
What determines the depth of cut? Of course, on the diameter of the disk used. Therefore, the size of the unit itself should increase depending on the size of the working disk and this of course leads to an increase in weight.
Depending on what material you will cut, the depth to which the saw blade can plunge can be selected. Lightweight models used for domestic work have an immersion depth of 40-45 mm. This depth is quite sufficient for cutting chipboard, plywood, fiberboard, inch boards.
If you intend to saw material of a larger thickness, then choose a circular saw with a cutting depth of 50-55 mm. This is the most popular size that most people choose for summer cottages.
A depth of 60-70 mm is already needed for professional work, for example with a beam. Of course, such a wide disk can effectively spin a fairly powerful engine.
There are also circular saws of large size and weight, which are capable of cutting the material to a depth of 140 mm. Such devices are used on an industrial scale, so we will not dwell on them.
Battery availability
Cordless Saw. the tool allows you to work autonomously, although it is less efficient. The rotational speed in cordless circular saws is less important than in electric circular saws.
These models successfully cope with wood having a small thickness and low density. The battery lasts for 30-50 minutes, after which the battery must be recharged.
This causes some inconvenience, because charging the battery can last up to 4 hours.
Ability to work at an angle
The design of most models allows you to cut at an angle of 45 degrees. However, there are already models that can cut even at an angle of 60 degrees. As a rule, you can adjust the cutting angle only on one side, since the engine is located on the other side. Although there are varieties of saws with adjustable angle on both sides. For example, such convenience is available in the model. Makita MLS100.
Some useful constructive additions:
- The function of collecting sawdust.
Basically, all models have nozzles for connecting a vacuum cleaner or connecting dust collectors. This ensures the absence of sawdust and dust during operation, especially indoors. - Laser pointer.
A very useful addition that allows you to perform a cut more accurately. Interestingly, flying sawdust does not affect the operation of the pointer, since the laser beam lies on top of the sawdust layer. - Body material.
The body of most units is made of high-strength plastic. This is a completely reliable material used for the production of power tools. In some cases, you can find a metal case. Devices with a metal casing are heavier. Therefore, if mobility is important to you, then choose a case made of plastic. - Random start lock.
In order to ensure operational safety, there is a button on the tool body, which eliminates the accidental inclusion of the saw. Ask the seller if there is such protection on the model you like. Sometimes the absence of such a button can lead to serious injuries, so do not neglect this advice. - Immersion function.
Some circular saws have this addition, which allows you to start cutting the workpiece not from the very beginning, but from a certain place. This can be useful, for example, in cases where you need to cut a hole in a solid plate. - Smooth start.
This function allows you to extend the life of the electric motor and make the job more secure. - Convenience of a disk replacement.
As a rule, when constantly working with a circular saw, sometimes you need to change the saw blades. Some discs are designed to work with wood, while others. for cutting metal. The convenience of replacing them is sometimes very important. It is very inconvenient to change a disk by using two keys simultaneously. Therefore, also pay attention to this trifle.