A circular saw is a power tool that uses a rotating blade to cut through various materials, such as wood, metal, plastic, and concrete. Circular saws are versatile, powerful, and easy to use, making them a must-have for any DIY enthusiast or professional carpenter. However, not all circular saws are created equal, and choosing the right one for your needs can be a daunting task, especially if you are a beginner.
In this article, we will help you find the best circular saw for a beginner by explaining the main features, types, and factors to consider when buying one. We will also review some of the best circular saws for beginners available on the market today, based on our research and analysis of customer reviews and ratings. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what to look for and what to avoid when shopping for a circular saw.
The best circular saw for a beginner is the DEWALT 20-Volt Circular Saw (Check Discounted Price Now) because of its power, price, and versatility. It is a cordless circular saw that runs on a 20-volt battery, which gives it portability and convenience. It has a brushless motor that delivers up to 5,500 RPM, which is enough to cut through most materials with ease.
It also has a 7 ¼-inch blade that can make cuts up to 2 ½ inches deep, and a beveling shoe that can adjust from 0 to 57 degrees, allowing you to make angled cuts. It is lightweight, ergonomic, and easy to control, making it ideal for beginners. It also comes with an electric brake, a dust blower, and an LED light, which enhance its safety and visibility.
A circular saw is one of the most useful and versatile tools you can have in your workshop or toolbox. It can help you with a variety of projects, such as:
Framing a house or a shed
Building a deck or a fence
Cutting plywood or drywall
Making furniture or cabinets
Installing flooring or siding
Repairing or remodeling your home
A circular saw can save you time, money, and effort by allowing you to make fast, accurate, and clean cuts. It can also help you achieve professional results with minimal skills and experience. Whether you are a hobbyist, a DIYer, or a contractor, a circular saw is a tool you don’t want to miss.
What Are the Types of Circular Saws?
There are two main types of circular saws: sidewinder and worm drive. They differ in the way the motor is positioned and how the power is transferred to the blade.
Sidewinder circular saws have the motor on the side of the blade, parallel to it. They are also called direct-drive or in-line circular saws. They are the most common and popular type of circular saws, because they are lighter, cheaper, and faster than worm drive circular saws. They are suitable for most cutting tasks, especially cross-cutting and ripping.
Worm drive circular saws have the motor behind the blade, perpendicular to it. They use a worm gear to transfer the power to the blade, which reduces the speed but increases the torque. They are also called hypoid or gear-reduced circular saws. They are heavier, more expensive, and slower than sidewinder circular saws, but they are more powerful, durable, and stable. They are ideal for making long, straight, and deep cuts, especially in hardwoods and wet lumber.
What Are the Factors to Consider When Buying a Circular Saw?
When buying a circular saw, there are several factors to consider, such as:
Power: The power of a circular saw is measured in amps for corded models and volts for cordless models. The higher the power, the faster and smoother the cut. For most applications, a 15-amp corded circular saw or a 20-volt cordless circular saw is sufficient. However, if you need to cut through very thick or dense materials, you may need a more powerful circular saw, such as a 20-amp corded or a 60-volt cordless model.
Speed: The speed of a circular saw is measured in RPM (revolutions per minute), which indicates how fast the blade spins. The higher the speed, the cleaner and more accurate the cut. For most materials, a speed of 5,000 RPM or more is adequate. However, if you need to cut through very hard or abrasive materials, you may need a higher speed, such as 6,000 RPM or more.
Blade: The blade of a circular saw is the most important part, as it determines the quality and type of the cut. The blade size, material, teeth, and arbor are the main factors to consider when choosing a blade. The blade size is the diameter of the blade, which affects the cutting depth and capacity. The most common blade size is 7 ¼ inches, which can cut up to 2 ½ inches deep. However, there are also smaller and larger blades available, depending on your needs.
The blade material is the substance that the blade is made of, which affects the durability and performance of the blade. The most common blade materials are steel, carbide, and diamond. Steel blades are cheap and sharp, but they wear out quickly and need frequent sharpening. Carbide blades are more expensive and durable, but they are also heavier and harder to sharpen. Diamond blades are the most expensive and long-lasting, but they are also the most brittle and prone to chipping.
The blade teeth are the projections on the edge of the blade, which affect the speed and smoothness of the cut. The number, shape, and angle of the teeth vary depending on the type of material and cut. Generally, the more teeth a blade has, the smoother and slower the cut. The fewer teeth a blade has, the faster and rougher the cut. The blade arbor is the hole in the center of the blade, which connects the blade to the saw. The arbor size must match the saw’s spindle size, otherwise the blade will not fit or spin properly. The most common arbor size is 5/8 inch, but there are also other sizes available, such as 1/2 inch or 1 inch.
Corded vs. Cordless: Circular saws can be either corded or cordless, depending on the power source. Corded circular saws run on electricity and need to be plugged into an outlet or an extension cord. They are more powerful, consistent, and reliable than cordless circular saws, but they are also less portable, convenient, and safe, as they limit your mobility and pose a tripping hazard.
Cordless circular saws run on batteries and do not need to be plugged in. They are more portable, convenient, and safe than corded circular saws, but they are also less powerful, consistent, and reliable, as they depend on the battery life and performance. They are also more expensive and heavier, as they include the cost and weight of the battery and charger.
Features: Circular saws come with various features that enhance their functionality, usability, and safety. Some of the most common and useful features are:
Beveling shoe: A beveling shoe is a part of the base plate that can tilt to make angled cuts. It usually has a scale and a lock to adjust and secure the angle. The beveling capacity is the maximum angle that the shoe can tilt, which is usually between 45 and 57 degrees. The higher the beveling capacity, the more versatile the saw.
Electric brake: An electric brake is a mechanism that stops the blade from spinning as soon as you release the trigger. It reduces the risk of injury and damage, as well as the downtime between cuts. It also extends the life of the blade and the motor, as it reduces the wear and tear.
Dust blower: A dust blower is a feature that blows air from the front of the saw to clear the dust and debris from the cutting line. It improves the visibility and accuracy of the cut, as well as the cleanliness and health of the work area.
LED light: An LED light is a feature that illuminates the cutting area from the front of the saw. It enhances the visibility and precision of the cut, especially in low-light conditions.
Laser guide: A laser guide is a feature that projects a red or green line from the front of the saw to the cutting line. It helps you align the blade and the workpiece, and make straight and accurate cuts.
Based on our research and analysis of customer reviews and ratings, we have selected the following circular saws as the best ones for beginners. We have considered their power, speed, blade, corded or cordless, features, price, and overall performance and quality. Here are our top picks:
A circular saw is a power tool that uses a rotating blade to cut through various materials, such as wood, metal, plastic, and concrete. Circular saws are versatile, powerful, and easy to use, making them a must-have for any DIY enthusiast or professional carpenter. However, not all circular saws are created equal, and choosing the right one for your needs can be a daunting task, especially if you are a beginner.
In this article, we have helped you find the best circular saw for a beginner by explaining the main features, types, and factors to consider when buying one. We have also reviewed some of the best circular saws for beginners available on the market today, based on our research and analysis of customer reviews and ratings. By the end of this article, you should have a clear idea of what to look for and what to avoid when shopping for a circular saw.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it useful and informative. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you and help you with your circular saw needs. Thank you for your time and attention, and happy cutting!
