Circular saw is a must to have tool in a DIY toolkit. But some infrequent users do not know “How to use a circular saw?” properly to achieve clean and accurate cuts. We here at Circular Saw Judge do not only review the best circular saws available in that market but our expert team can also help if you step by step on how to use a circular saw with safety and achieve precise results at the same time.
1. Prepare Your Material and Adjust Your Saw:
FAMILIARIZE WITH CIRCULAR SAW:
There are different varieties of circular saws. Several features are present in the market but all operate in almost the same manner. At first, handle the circular saw without switching it on. While putting the circular saw into service, use the handles, the front handle, and the rear handle. It is also suggested to use the trigger present on the rear handle for movement controls.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
As from a famous quote, prevention is better than cure, I proceed with the usage of precautionary measures before using a circular saw. Circular saw is titled with the most dangerous saw. For this, the protective measures are more than necessary.
- Safety glasses: For the protection of eyes
- Hearing equipment: As a precautionary measure for hearing.
- Suitable clothing: Try to avoid loose clothing. Snug fitting is the ideal clothing for handling the circular saw.
- Avoid alcohol: It would decrease the number of accidents during the operation.
- Avoid distractions during working: Don’t answer any call during work. Attend them after completing the cutting procedure.
- Always work against the cutter: This will reduce the loss during the manipulation of a circular saw.
- Check for screws, nails, or other metals: This will help to keep you safe. These sharp things can cause physical damage to the tool as well.
- Disconnect power before changing the blades: The most important thing can reduce the number of severe accidents during working.
- Watch the blade not the dust: There is sawdust. Be careful of following the track.
If we consider these important pillars of safety we can easily be prevented from injuries and can step towards operating circular saw fearlessly.
First off, I will like to let u know some of its advantages, yes! It is light, quick, and easy to use. However, certain steps are required to utilize this machine.
MARKING:
Above all, one of the most important starts should be marking. How much length n how much width is required. Mark it. This mark will make the operation very easy and definite for you.
Stretch the measuring tape. And use a pencil. Mark “V” on the exact measurement area. The use of letter v is very essential as it leads to the best-required measurement as compared to a single line. After marking the v, now use a square and make the line with this “V”. This will give a visual aid for the person using a circular saw.
The next step is to mark a cross on the side which is useless. You can say that side as scrap side. From this scrap side, cut the sheet. This will reduce the chances of loss of wood. Do not select the wrong side. This could make a difference of one eighth on the measurement scale. This could make a large difference for accurate measurements.
You can also mark by using chalk. Most of the marking at large scale is done by chalk. It is the fastest method of marking. For this do a midair twang and then mark the line on the plywood. This twang will make the line more visible and much easier to follow for cutting.
After marking, make sure that the line is clear. Light it up so that it becomes more visible for cutting. Also, change the position of the board or angle of that board in such a place that its markings are visible. There should be no shadow of the circular saw on the wood.
CUTTING:
After marking, time to cut and make the machine and the plywood ready. But before cutting, it is essential to know about two types of cuts.
• Cross-cut
• Rip cut
Cross-cut: It is the cut that goes across the grain. It is easier to perform via circular saw. Before this cut, marking is essential.
Rip cut: This kind of cut goes along the grain. However, it is easier to do by the table saw. But if there is the unavailability of the table saw, the circular saw can be used for rip cut.
And you should select the best suitable blade for cutting. There are a number of blades. Each has been designed for its own designated purpose. Generally, there are 3 sizes of blades available in the market.
- 6.5-inch blade: used for nominal lumber
- 7.25-inch blade: used for lumber of up to 2.5 inches thick.
- 8-10 inch blade: used for heavy-duty works in the industry.
Circular saw is used for straight and short cuts. For cutting, you should follow old handyman’s adage: “measure twice, cut once.”
ADJUST THE MATERIAL THE SAW TABLE:
Placement should be free of obstructions and supported properly from underneath. This thing will prevent you from digging blades during working on the work surfaces.
Never adjust your material on ordinary tables or desks. This will damage your blade as well as the surface. There is also a range of sawhorses available for a number of purposes.
SET THE BLADE BY USING THE CENTRAL LEVER:
This step is used for adjusting the desired depth. For this, pull the shoe lever between two handles all the way down to release the base plate and let it move freely. Then set the baseplate against given material and adjust the blade by moving it up or down until it comes exactly below the material you are cutting. Cleaner cuts and least imperfections will be made on the material if you set the blade at the correct depth. This adjustment will also reduce the wearing down of teeth of circular blades.
- Just set your sharp edge 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) – 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) beneath the base of your material. Setting it too profound won’t just power it to work more diligently, yet in addition leave more teeth uncovered, which can be dangerous.
- In case you’re sawing a small piece of timber that is 1 in (2.5 cm) thick, for instance, you’d set your cutting edge to a depth of 1.125–1.25 in (2.86–3.18 cm).
CHANGE THE TURNING SCALE TO POINT THE SHARP EDGE FOR ANGLED CUTS:
Curve the little handle toward the front of the saw counterclockwise to open the scale that rests around the blade of a circular saw. Now slide the scale to one of the edges presets showed on the casing (frame), or stop it anytime en route to make custom cuts. When the point is achieved, turn clockwise to secure the scale place.
Ensure the locking handle is secure before you initiate the saw. Otherwise, the contact of the blade with the material will move the adjusted scale.
Shoulder the cord. This will reduce the cutting of the cord by 90 percent.
Changing the edge of the sharp blade will permit you to make angled cuts along squared edges or get the perfect molding on abnormally-shaped pieces.
2. FORMING CLEAN AND PRECISE CUTS:
POSITION THE LINE ON BASEPLATE MARKED “0” OVER YOUR CUT LINE:
On the front border of the baseplate, you’ll see a little marking with the line on either side. The line on the left-hand side of the mark will be named “0.” It relates to the situation of the sharp edge when it’s set to 90 degrees, and should be made used whenever you’re making an ordinary cut.
The line named “45” on the right-hand side of the mark is for making beveled cuts at an exact 45-degree point.
PULL THE TRIGGER ON THE BACK (REAR) HANDLES FOR TURNING ON THE BLADE:
There may be an extra safety trigger close to the highest point of the saw that you’ll have to flip all together for the saw to initiate when you pull the handle trigger in some models. When you connect with the trigger, the edge will start turning. Hold up until it gets up to max spinning speed to start cutting.
In case you’re right-handed, it will easy for you to grasp the back handle with your right hand and spot your left hand on the front handle to give extra security as you work. In case you’re left-given, just opposite this direction.
Hold off on pulling the trigger until you check your estimations twice, ensure the baseplate is appropriately adjusted, and are set up to start cutting.
OPERATION:
Push the saw gradually and evenly along the outer surface of the material. Utilize both hands to move the saw straight down the cut line. Ensure the right-hand side of the baseplate score remains lined up with your cut line the whole time. Abstain from compelling or twitching the saw along—rather, keep it moving at a simple, characteristic speed as the cutting edge goes through the material.
On most models, the edge guard will withdraw automatically when you push the saw forward and lower again when you lift it off of your work surface. You can likewise pull it back physically to keep it off the given path when making irregular and uneven cuts.
Moving the saw rapidly can improve the probability of slip-ups or cause the sharp edge to get stuck with debris.
However, protection is essential:
Keep your hands a safe and secure distance while the saw is in the activity. To make any changes in accordance with either the saw or your material, make certain to take your finger off the trigger totally before doing such an adjustment.
FINISHING OPERATION:
Free the trigger to stop the sharp edge after each cut. When you’ve finished your cut, let go of the trigger and wait that the blade will arrive at a stand-still position. To avoid potential setbacks, keep your finger off of the trigger while you examine your work or align your next cut.
Never put your finger on the trigger except if you’re getting ready to make a cut. In case you’re not cautious, you could initiate the saw coincidentally.
UNPLUGGING:
Unplug the saw when you’re finished utilizing it. Pause for a minute to affirm that the sharp edge guard is secured in the down position. At that point, detach the attachment from of the divider outlet, fold the cable over the handle, and set the saw aside until whenever you need it.
Store your circular saw on a leveled; stable surface on its side with the cutting edge is not confronting any close objects.
On the off chance that you have little kids at home, ensure your saw is kept up, far off, or in any case difficult to reach.
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