Have you ever wanted to learn how to use a circular saw? A circular saw is a great addition to any woodshop, and they are very safe when used correctly. There are some important factors to cover before taking on a project with one.
This article is going to cover all the basics you want to know before using a circular saw. It’s important that you read through to the end so you completely learn how to use your new tool.
Circular Saw Safety
It’s always best for us to start with safety. A circular saw is a power tool that has the potential to injure us. We first need to understand this before we can safely and properly use this tool.
It’s very important whenever we are woodworking to use safety goggles. This is by far the most important personal safety equipment we can own. The second most important piece of safety equipment is going to be hearing protection.
I tend to wear my eye protection the entire time I am woodworking. I like a light weight pair that form fits to my face. The reason why eye protection is the most important is because while working with wood there is going to be a good amount of saw dust in the air. This is especially true when working with a circular saw.
Ear protection is important because all power tools produce a level of noise that can be dangerously high. The decibel levels while cutting with them can injure a person’s hearing over time. That’s why it’s best to take care of this by using either ear plugs or ear muffs.
Some people recommend using gloves while working with wood. This helps prevent splinters, and make your hands less susceptible to getting cut by the sharp edges of your material, or tools.
I feel like gloves are dangerous to use when cutting with circular saws or other types of power saws. This is because if your hand accidentally gets too close to the spinning blade the glove is more likely to pull your hand in further. It will be harder for you to move your hand away in time.
Closed toed shoes are very important whenever working with wood. When cutting boards, the loose pieces tend to fall and land on our feet from time to time. If we are wearing open toed shoes there is more of a chance for your toes to get cut, or even a bone broken.
How to Use a Circular Saw for Beginners
When first starting out with using a circular saw there are a few basic things to be learned. First part to cover is the proper stance. This is your foundation when making a cut. It’s important that you have a strong stance so you don’t get thrown off your balance.
Hold the handle on top of the saw with your left hand, and the trigger handle with your right hand. You want to mimic this with your feet as well. Approach the board with the mark a couple of feet away from you.
Your left foot will be slightly to the left of the mark and the right foot will be behind it. Keep your feet firmly planted on the ground the entire time you are making the cut.
Before starting the saw place the edge of the guide on the board to be cut. Line up the blade with your mark, but don’t touch it to the wood. This will prevent binding up the blade when you turn the saw on.
Remember to have the blade run along the cut on the scrap side. The width of the blade should be considered when you cut the board to the right measurement.
Now it’s time to start the saw. With both hands on it pull the trigger. Then slowly run it along the mark, touching its edge, but not cutting into the good side. This is where a guide comes in handy.
Follow the blade all the way through to finish the cut. Don’t be worried if the loose end of the board falls to the floor. This is why we are not wearing open toed shoes.
Congratulations! You made your first cut with a circular saw. You should be proud of yourself.
How to Use a Circular Saw Without a Table
Cutting material with a circular saw can be easier if a table is handy. The table will keep the material at a more comfortable working height for us to make our cuts. But one isn’t always available, or might not be accessible. Cutting with a circular saw on the ground can be safe and accurate to do.
Using a circular saw without a table is simple and safe. There are a few things that need to be understood before you try cutting plywood or other types of wood this way.
A common method for contractors to cut plywood with a circular saw is with it on the ground. The plywood is not lying flat on the ground, because the blade would hit the concrete, or whatever surface is below the plywood.
The way to prevent this is by putting spacer blocks underneath the plywood. This will elevate it enough to keep the blade off the ground, and running smoothly while making the cut.
The easiest thing to use are 2X4s, but other things can be used in their place. What you will need to do this are 2X4s (possibly more than one), a straight edge/long level, clamps, a tape measure, and a pencil and/or chalk line to mark your material.
For this explanation, I am going to assume we are using a circular saw to cut plywood. Let’s go over the steps for using a circular saw without a table:
- Lay the plywood on the ground and mark where you want to make the cut. Make a mark on each side of the piece, so we can draw a straight line either with a pencil or chalk line.
- Measure the distance from the saw blade to the edge of the saws foot. To do this you will need to turn it upside down. Consider the width of the blade will take some of the material while cutting. You will be running the saw blade on the side of the mark that doesn’t have the piece you measured for. It is good practice to do this while the saw is still unplugged.
- Measure this amount of space from the line you are about to cut towards the larger side of the board. You are going to clamp a straight edge this far over for the saw to run along.
- Place 2X4s below the piece of material on the larger side of the mark you just made. Be sure not to have them directly below where we will be cutting. Also, have them go the entire length of the material. You may need to overlap them to do this.
- Adjust the depth of your blade. You want to make sure it is close to a quarter inch below the material being cut. Also make sure the angle of the blade is at 90 degrees.
- After plugging in the saw hold it at the edges of the mark you made. Rest the foot of the saw flat on the material but keep the blade away from the wood. While making sure the side of the saw is flat against the straight edge, turn on the saw.
- While making the cut you will be looking at the line you are cutting. Follow this line with the saw’s “zero mark.” This should stay along it if you clamped your straight edge in the right place. It’s okay if you need to occasionally glance at the straight edge. It’s also okay to walk on the plywood to make this cut, if necessary.
How to Use a Circular Saw to Cut Wood
Circular saws are ideal for cross cutting wood of various dimensions. The limitation is the depth of the blade while fully extended. If the lumber is thicker than this, you may need to flip the piece and cut again on the other side.
Measure where you want to make the cut and mark the spot with a pencil. Use a speed square to make a line where the cut will be. If the piece is thicker than the blade make the line all the way around the board.
Hold the saw flat against the material with the blade close but not touching. Watch the cutting edge of the blade as you make your cut. Follow all the way through before you turn off the saw.
For thicker pieces turn the piece and cut again. If the blade extends more than half the thickness of the material you will be able to turn it upside down and make one more cut. If it doesn’t you may need to cut each side and use another tool like a sawzall to cut all the way through.
How to Use a Circular Saw as a Table Saw
Part of the versatility of a circular saw is they can be used instead of a table saw. The difference is while using a table saw the saw blade is stationary and the piece of material moves past the blade to make the cut. With a circular saw the material stays stationary and the saw blade is moving.
It is easiest to make this type of cut with a workbench. Lay the material flat on the workbench and measure to make marks on either end.
Draw a straight line to connect these marks. You can do this with either a pencil and straight edge, or a chalk line.
Extend the material over the edge of the workbench so the blade doesn’t cut into the bench. It’s good to clamp the material to the workbench so it doesn’t slip when making the cut.
Just like before hold the saw up to the edge of the mark without touching it to ensure the blade doesn’t lock up when the saw is turned on. I can’t stress enough how important this step is because the blade needs to come up to speed before beginning to cut.
Follow all the way through the cut.
How to Use a Circular Saw for Long Cuts
Cutting long material can be tricky. If you don’t have access to a straight edge you will need to freehand the cut.
To do this you want to line up the “zero mark” on the saw with the cut line you made. Walk at a slow pace to be sure you stay on the mark as best as possible.
The entire time you are cutting you should be looking at the zero mark. Make sure the line is touching this mark the whole time. If it begins to veer of make slight corrections to get it back on.
This method can be used either on a table or on the ground. If the piece you are cutting is closer to the center of a piece of plywood you may want to cut on the ground. I cover the steps for this above in the article.
How to Use a Circular Saw Track
Circular saw tracks are great accessories for your circular saw. They make it easy to cut straight and accurate lines. They are also portable, allowing you to make cuts where you need to, especially if you can’t get the material to your workshop.
Kreg has the Accu Cut Circular Saw Track that makes straight cuts up to 50 inches.
They offer an Expansion Pack if another 50 inches is needed, making the cut up to 100 inches.
They are compatible with virtually any circular saw. and installing them is simple to do.
Below is a video that shows how simple it is to cut with this awesome circular saw accessory.
FAQs About Circular Saws
- Is it easy to use a circular saw?
Yes circular saws are very easy to use. But first there are a few things that need to happen to ensure you are using them safely and effectively. It is important to follow the simple safety guidelines addressed in this article before you begin.
- What is a circular saw good for?
Circular saws are great for cutting boards and plywood of various sizes. They are limited to material that is a few inches thick. They can make curved cuts on pieces of plywood, and also straight cuts like a table saw.
- Is a circular saw dangerous?
Every power saw can be dangerous when used improperly. If they are treated with respect they will be a great addition to your woodshop.
- Are circular saws expensive?
Like other tools, circular saws can be expensive. There are also some that are affordable, and can do exactly what you need them to do.