Best Circular Saws of 2020

One major plus for cordless circular saws is that you aren’t limited by a cord or power outlet.

You can easily carry your saw around to get exactly where you need to go, rather than worrying about an extension cord. Plus, if you’re working on a project in the early stages, there might not be any power outlets available.

Corded saws fall a little flat when it comes to mobility.

Depending on the project, you might not be able to use the saw at the site. As a result, you’ll need to bring the required pieces back to your place to cut.

Also, with corded saws you’re restricted by the length of the included cord or the extension cable you use. This is not always ideal, but not necessarily a problem on a home DIY project.

With a corded circular saw, you’ll have endless power ready at your fingertips. You won’t have to worry about the battery dying on you or the frustration when the saw slows down.

Cordless saws, on the other hand, rely on a battery for power. As you use the saw, the battery will begin to drain, and you’ll notice a significant change in effectiveness. Having multiple battery packs helps, but may be an expensive and frustrating solution for some.

Right-handed circular saws enable you to grab the main handle using your right hand while the left holds the auxiliary handle. Because the blade is on the right side as well, you won’t have to cross your arms during operation. Additionally, the base will sit over the piece you’re cutting on the left side, while cut-offs will fall to the right.

If you’re a righty and you’re using a left-bladed saw, you’ll face some issues due to everything being the other way around.

For starters, your left arm has to cross over the right to grab the auxiliary handle. Consequently, the blade is likely to be directly underneath your crossed arms. This clearly presents a dangerous scenario and a lack of control — a less ideal situation.

Still, if you feel more comfortable using a left-bladed saw, there are some advantages. Since the blade is on the other side, you’ll have a much better view of the cut line. Additionally, the majority of cordless saws are actually left-bladed.

With a full-sized saw, you’re going to get a larger blade that gives you more cutting depth. As a result, you’re able to cut through nearly any material without much effort.

Not all projects require a 7-inch blade, though. It is, therefore, essential to consider what type of work you’ll be doing. For instance, if you’re going to be working with thick materials, choose a large blade. If you need a light saw to cut smaller pieces, a small blade is beneficial.

Because the majority of materials you’ll be cutting are hard, you’ll need a blade that can keep up. Breakage is a possibility whenever you’re working with tough materials, such as concrete or tiles.

When cutting different materials, being able to adjust the blade’s height and depth can give you a much better result. When choosing a saw, consider how easily it can be adjusted.

Circular saws are generally portable and handheld, which makes the weight an important consideration. We usually saw for many hours at a time during large projects, so having to carry a heavy saw will quickly take its toll on the wrists.

A common material used is magnesium due to it being lightweight. However, consider the saw’s weight before making your decision.

With a circular saw, ergonomics are crucial — it has to feel well-balanced when in hand, to ensure clean cuts and lines. Therefore, the weight of the saw’s components should be united to create a center of gravity that eases the handling.

Where the handle is located is also a vital point to consider. Some saws will have the handle at the top while others have it on the bottom. It’s up to you to decide what you might be more comfortable with.

If you’ve already tried a variety of circular saws, you have a good idea of what works for you. However, if you’re new to circular saws, consider going to your local home improvement store or hardware store to try a few different saws. This can give you a good idea of how it feels to hold and which handle placement suits you best.

Before starting, make sure you have the right gear to protect yourself:

1. Goggles: A must-have to prevent fine dust causing significant damage to your eyes.
2. Ear guards: Protect your ears from the high decibels that circular saws emit.
3. Mask: Consider wearing a mask to cover your nose and mouth. Wood dust, in particular, has been linked to health issues, including cancer ⁽¹⁾.
4. Gloves: Protect your hands from debris flying off the cut material.

Before cutting, it’s essential to mark your lines and cuts accurately and clearly.

Use a tape measure and a pencil to make your lines. With the pencil, create two lines leading to the main line, forming a V. This will help you stay on track and create an even sharper cut.

The scrap side of the board can be marked with an X to indicate that you should cut on that side of the line. Cutting on the wrong side of the line can result in a ⅛-inch difference — this may or may not be a huge deal.

Although every circular saw is fitted with a guide that shows where the blade is going to cut, these aren’t always accurate.

As you’re cutting, the guide can get covered in sawdust or the shoe might get bent, throwing the guide off track. So, try to keep your eyes on the blade and the line as you go. Keep sawdust out of the way by using a built-in blower or your mouth.

Before cutting angles, make sure you clamp the board securely to have both hands on the saw. Keep your left thumb on the guard’s retracting lever, and retract the guard if the saw begins to hesitate.

Circular saws tend to splinter the side that’s facing up and leave the downside clean. If clean cuts are important, like when you’re cutting thin metals or veneered plywood, place the good side down. This will leave splinters and unattractive edges out of sight.

When cutting stone, opt for a diamond blade as these are stronger and less abrasive.

Diamond blades used to be quite expensive, but they’ve become more affordable in recent years.

To keep the blade cool, find a helper who can run a slow garden hose directly at the cut. Additionally, this will eliminate dust and speed up the cut.

Circular saws can be used to cut any type of pipe, except for cast iron. When cutting ABS, PVC or copper pipes, use a fine-tooth carbide blade. Use a metal-cutting blade for steel pipes.

Skill saws and circular saws are the same types of saw; the terms are synonymous. They’re both portable and can be used for the same projects.

Skill saws actually gained their name from the brand SKILSAW because this was the leading manufacturer for decades.

Yes, sharpening your saw blade is important to complete the job correctly and efficiently. A dull blade will give a rougher finish as well as make the motor work harder, which can cause it to burn out.

How to sharpen the blades depends on the blade type. Certain blades, such as carbide-tipped ones, have to be taken to a professional sharpener. Regular blades, like steel-toothed saws, can be filed at home ⁽³⁾.

There are three types of blade sharpeners you can use at home:

• Hand file.
• Crank sharpener.
• Automatic sharpener.

In general, most circular saws require 15 amps. However, this will differ between brands and saws. Check each product before you buy.

How deep you can cut with a circular saw depends on the size of the blade. The most common blade size is 7 ¼ inches — this size can cut a depth of about 2 ½ inches.

Cutting a 45-degree angle using a circular saw is relatively straightforward. All you have to do is set the saw to the chosen bevel — in this case, 45. Draw your line and make your cut — ensure the blade is parallel to the line you’re cutting from the start.

Yes, you can use your circular saw to cut metal, stone or laminate. One of the many advantages of circular saws is that you can use it to cut a variety of materials. However, it’s important to use the appropriate blade.

When cutting laminate, keep the up-side down to ensure the cut is clean and without splinters. This will create much smoother planks for the flooring ⁽⁴⁾.