How to Use Circular Saws

A circular saw is one of those tools that's an integral part of every homeowner's do-it-yourself arsenal. It can make straight cuts, angled cuts, cross cuts and even rip large plywood boards. While circular saws are used primarily for cutting wood, there are different saw blades available for other materials such as masonry and plastic. This type of saw is quite versatile but can be dangerous to use when you do not know how to operate it. Understanding the features and basic operational safety tips are important when learning how to use circular saws.

Things You'll Need

• Circular saw
• Saw blades
• Saw horse or work bench
• Clamps
• Pencil
• Tape measure
• Square tool such as a T-square or tri-square
• Safety goggles or glasses
• Ear protection

Instructions

Basic Instructions

1. Inspect the circular saw and study the operations manual to learn about the parts. All circular saws will have a motor casing, handle and a trigger switch you squeeze during the operation of the saw. Other parts include: a bevel adjustment knob or lever (may also look like a wing nut) for angled edge cuts; a flat metal plate encircling the saw called a foot or shoe that provides support, allowing the saw to rest on the material surface to be cut; a spring-loaded blade guard protecting the spinning saw blade; and the saw blade itself.

2. 

   Choose the saw blade that best fits your cutting needs and install it on your circular saw, based on the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure the bottom teeth of the blade extend 1/8 to 1/4 inch below the piece you plan to cut by adjusting the foot plate. Make any saw blade height adjustments before you plug in the saw.

3. Set up your sawhorse or workbench to support the material you plan to cut. Do not put the sawhorse or workbench in the saw blade's path. Use clamps to secure unwieldy items that might be difficult to hold and cut at the same time.

4. Measure your material using the tape measure and mark your measurements with a pencil. Use a square tool to ensure any measurement lines you draw are straight. The drawn line will be the cutting path to follow as you saw. Remeasure your material before cutting.

5. Plug in the circular saw and put on your safety goggles and ear protection.

6. 

   Line up the measurement marks on your material with the saw blade. The foot plate of the circular saw has an indicator line etched or notched into the surface in front of the saw blade. Line up the indicator line to the line marked on the material. Make sure the power cord is not in the path of the saw blade.

7. 

   Hold the circular saw with the blade about 1 inch away from the material to be cut and then press and hold down the trigger switch inside the handle to turn it on. Guide the circular saw along the marked line using light pressure. Release the switch once the material has been cut through. The saw blade must completely stop before you move the circular saw or put it down.

8. 

   Make angled edge cuts, called beveled edges, by tweaking the bevel adjustment to the degree you wish to saw. Unplug your saw before making any adjustments to avoid possible injury. Once the blade angle adjustment has been made, you can saw the material as outlined in steps 5, 6 and 7.

9. Unplug the circular saw in between uses to prevent injury.

Tips & Warnings

• Always press the switch inside the handle fully and allow the saw blade to reach maximum speed rotation before sawing the material to prevent blade binding or kickbacks. Wear the eye and ear protection when using the saw to prevent injury to your eyes from flying wood chips and damage to your ears from the noise.

• Never brace the materials on your body or on an unstable surface before using the circular saw to cut them. Injury and accidents caused by kickbacks, buckling and binding of the saw blade and material may occur. Do not wear jewelry, baggy clothing or allow long hair to flow freely while operating the circular saw. They could become entangled in the saw and cause injury.

References

• This Old House -- How to Choose and Use a Circular Saw
• Popular Mechanics -- Using a Circular Saw

Resources

• California State Polytechnic University -- How to Use Portable Power Tools