People seem to have a lot of problems when using their circular saws. Many people don’t know how to keep a straight cut. Others get splinters or let the blade dictate where they can make their cut. Yet others have no idea how to choose which saw blade is right for which job. Here are a couple of tricks that will you making cuts like a professional with your circular saw in no time.
Cutting With the Grain - The Right Way
First thing to notice about your circular saw is which way the blade spins. Most circular saws, such as the DeWalt Circular Saw, move in a direction so that the front of the blade cuts toward you as the blade cuts through the wood. But cutting with the blade parallel to the wood’s grain, you’ll make smooth cuts every single time - and with no splintering.
Going Against the Grain
If you’re going to cut against the grain, there are a couple of things you can do to avoid the dreaded splintering. Take a razor knife and pre-score the cut by cutting along the line before you make your cut with your circular saw. Then when you cut with your circular saw, cut slowly. If your blade stays with the scored wood - you won’t get any splinters.
How to Cut An Arc With A Circular Saw
Many people have no idea how to cut a proper circle or arc with a circular saw. The first thing you need to know is what’s the thickness of the material you’re cutting through. The secret to cutting an arc shape is to set your blade so the depth of the cut is just a fraction of an inch over the thickness of your material. This will give you all the control you need over your circular saw and it’ll eliminate splinters.
So Many Blades to Choose From
If you want to make sure your cuts are perfect - you need to find the right circular saw blade for your BareTool DeWalt Circular Saw. There are many different types of saw blades. Some are made to cut rough wood, some are great for plastic or metal, and some can even cut ceramic tile, stone, or brick. Some clades have small bits of diamond in the edge of the circular saw blade but have no teeth at all. Use a blade with multiple fine teeth to cut plywood with few splinters. Choose a circular saw blade with 30 or more teeth to cut thin metal or rough lumber. A saw blade with less than 18 carbide teeth is great for doing rough cuts in framing lumber. Just make sure to match the right saw blade for the right job, and you’ll be fine.
Choosing The Blade Capacity
If you know your circular saw’s blade capacity, then you know the maximum depth you can cut with your saw. The deeper the cut you want to make, the larger the blade you’re going to need. Typical circular saws, such as the DeWalt Circular Saw, have a 7 1/4” blade capacity, though there is an 8 1/4” option to choose from.
