How To Use A Circular Saw For Beginners— Power Tools Made Easy #3

Summary

In this video, Katie provides a detailed introduction to using a circular saw, including its key components and safety tips. She explains how to adjust the saw's depth and bevel for precise cuts and emphasizes the importance of safety measures like wearing eye and ear protection. Katie discusses potential hazards such as kickback, offering guidance on avoiding it by cutting in a straight line and not forcing the saw. This informative guide is ideal for beginners and covers essential techniques for safe and efficient circular saw operation.

Takeaways

• 🛠️ Circular saws are often referred to as Skill saws, similar to how people call tissues 'Kleenex,' but battery-powered circular saws have multiple quality brands.
• 🔧 The depth of the saw blade is adjusted using the lever to loosen the fence. Set the depth so that only one tooth of the blade shows beyond the material.
• 📏 The saw's bevel angle can be adjusted, but most cuts are done at a zero-degree angle.
• 🛡️ The blade guard automatically moves as you cut, but you can manually lift it for quick adjustments using a lever.
• 🔄 There's an arrow on the blade guard to indicate the direction of blade rotation, helpful when replacing the blade.
• 🎯 For accurate cuts, use the notches on the front of the saw to align your cut line—one for a 45-degree cut and another for zero degrees.
• ⚠️ Safety measures are crucial: always use eye and ear protection when using a circular saw, especially in enclosed areas.
• 🚨 The saw blade should be in motion before touching the material to avoid kickback and potential splintering.
• 🚫 To prevent kickback, never try to force the saw to bend back into line if it deviates. Instead, stop the saw and reset your position.
• 👷‍♀️ Keep your body, hands, and feet clear of the saw's path to avoid injury in case of kickback. Maintain a straight cutting line and avoid exerting excessive force.

Q & A

What is the difference between a 'Skill saw' and a circular saw?

'Skill saw' is a brand name that has become synonymous with circular saws, similar to how 'Kleenex' is used for tissues. Skill is known for high-quality corded circular saws, but in the realm of battery-powered circular saws, the market is more evenly divided among manufacturers.

How do you adjust the depth of the blade on a circular saw?

To adjust the blade depth, loosen the lever that controls the fence height, raise or lower the saw until just one tooth is visible beyond the material thickness, and then tighten the lever to secure the blade depth.

What is the purpose of the cheater guide on the circular saw?

The cheater guide, located on the inside of the saw blade housing, helps set the blade depth. It features an arrow that points to a measurement, indicating how much of the blade is exposed and what material thickness it can cut through.

When would you adjust the bevel on a circular saw, and how do you do it?

The bevel angle determines the angle of your cut. For most cuts, you keep it at zero degrees. However, if you need to change the angle, loosen the bevel adjustment, tilt the saw to the desired angle, and then tighten it again. The saw has an indicator showing the angle you're cutting at.

How does the blade guard function during cutting?

The blade guard automatically moves out of the way as you push the saw through the material. If you need to move it manually, there's a lever on top of the guard that allows you to expose the blade temporarily.

Why is eye protection so important when using a circular saw?

Eye protection is crucial because circular saws tend to throw debris, which can easily get into your eyes. The speaker notes that they have often skipped eye protection and ended up with something in their eye, highlighting the importance of wearing it, especially with this tool.

What precautions should you take to avoid kickback with a circular saw?

To avoid kickback, ensure you're pushing the saw in a straight line through the material and never force it. If the saw or material starts to go crooked, stop immediately, reset at the last straight point, and continue. Never bend the saw back to correct the line mid-cut.

What is the correct body positioning when using a circular saw?

Your body should never be behind the saw, as kickback can push the saw backward. Always stand to the side and ensure no parts of your body, like hands or feet, are behind the saw. This is important to prevent injury if kickback occurs.

What should you do if the saw blade begins to bind while cutting?

If the saw blade starts to bind, let go of the trigger immediately, but keep holding onto the tool. Reset the saw and start again from the last point where the cut was straight. Do not force the saw, as binding increases the risk of accidents.

Why is it important to cut to one side of your line instead of directly on it?

Cutting directly on the line removes material, potentially shortening your desired cut length. Always cut on one side of the line to ensure accuracy. The saw blade itself removes about an eighth of an inch of material.