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How To Buy A Circular Saw

What should I look for when buying a circular saw?

A good circular saw should have enough raw power to slice through everything from wet lumber to dense hardwood without bogging down. “When the motor slows, the blade heats up and dulls quickly,” explains Tom Silva, This Old House general contractor.

How do I know what size circular saw to get?

Circular Saw Features Blade capacity determines the maximum depth of cut a saw can achieve. The larger the blade, the deeper the cut. The most common blade diameter is 7-1/4 inches. Most saws with blade capacities of 6 inches or more can cut through 2-inch dimensional lumber at a 45-degree angle in a single pass.

How thick of wood can a 5 1 2 circular saw cut?

The blade, located on the left side, cuts up to 1-3/4-inch at 90 degrees and 1-3/16-inch at 45 degrees.

How thick can a 6 1 2 circular saw cut?

The 18V Brushless Lithium Ion 6-1/2 Inch Deep Cut Circular Saw (C18DBALQ4) is a revolutionary cordless circular saw utilizing a 6-1/2″ blade which allows a 2-19/32″ cutting depth, making it one of the deepest cutting cordless circular saws on the market. This circular saw has a similar cut capacity as a 7-1/4″ saw!.

Is it worth buying circular saw?

Circular saws are often better for making long and straight cuts, with or without a cutting guide. It’s a tough choice to make, but I think that a jig saw is going to be the better choice as a DIYer or homeowner’s first power saw.

What are the different sizes of circular saws?

The Size: Circular Saw Blade Diameter 6.5-inch: While there are smaller saws, this is the minimum you should go for in woodworking. 7.25-inch: It is the most common size, which means it often has the most features available. 8.25-inch: A more robust option than the 7.25-inch for a bit more money.

What’s the difference between a skill saw and a circular saw?

Circular Saws vs. All skill saws are circular saws. They all have circular blades that spin rapidly to bite through wood. However, not all skill saws are circular saws. Circular saws can be gas-powered, have sidewinder or hypoid designs, or even be fixed to radial arms, which skill saws commonly aren’t.

What size circular saw will cut a 4×4?

The best way to cut a 4×4 post is by using a 12-inch miter saw, 10-inch radial arm saw, both of which can cut completely through a post in one pass, or a standard circular saw that can make precise cuts in two passes with the help of a simple jig.

Can I use a jigsaw instead of a circular saw?

Although a jigsaw can be used for most of the tasks that a circular saw can perform, including straight cuts and cuts on a tilt, the jigsaw uses that really take advantage of the tool’s qualities are jobs such as kitchen fitting and joinery, with their frequent need for complex cuts.

What is the most popular size circular saw?

The most common and useful size for DIYers is 7 and 1/4 inches. Saws this size will cut through material more than 3-inches thick, and they also offer the widest variety of blade choices for cutting substances other than wood.

What size circular saw Do I need to cut 2×4?

You need a minimum 5-3/8 inch size circular saw blade to cut a 2X4 at a 90 degree angle in one cut which is a crosscut. If you want to cut a 45 degree bevel with this size circular saw it will take 2 cuts. You could go with a 7-1/4inch or 10 inch blade to avoid making multiple cuts with the 45 degree bevel angle.

Can I cut a 4×6 with a circular saw?

Posts that are 6-by-6-inch are actually roughly 5 1/2-inches square. However, a regular circular saw with a 7 1/4-inch diameter blade will only cut to a depth of 2 1/4 inches. Cutting on all four sides still leaves roughly an inch of uncut wood in the middle of the post.

Can you use a circular saw without a table?

You don’t need a table to use a circular saw. You can set it up on your garage or driveway floor or even your balcony and use it. In fact, I still use my circular saw on the floor when I am cutting plywood. To do that, first, let’s discuss a few things you need to keep in mind when using a circular saw.

Can a 6.5 inch circular saw cut a 2×4?

6.5″ will cut a 2x at 90 degrees.

Can a 6.5 circular saw cut a 2×4?

The 6.5 will cut up to 2 1/16”, while the 7 ¼” cuts up to 2 ⅜”. Minor sure, but it’s when you tilt them into 45 degree angles, that the 7 ¼” can do something the 6.5 can’t. Cut through a 2×4.

Which saw to buy first?

A jigsaw is great for cutting curves and shapes, and it can also be used with a guide to make straight cuts, which is why this is the first power saw you should own. Unless you plan to rip long sheets of plywood, a jigsaw is preferable over a circular saw.

How much should you spend on a circular saw?

A circular saw can cost between $50-$200. Depending on your budget for the tool, you may want to go either cheaper or pricier. There are factors that can affect the price, such as brand or size. You will want to consider them when buying your own circular saw.

Which is better miter saw or circular saw?

A circular saw is less expensive than a miter saw, and it’s more portable. A miter saw is safer to use than a circular saw. A circular saw can make both rip cuts along the length of a board and cross cuts across the width of a board, but a miter saw can only make cross cuts.