Circular Electric Hand Saw Which Is Better

Types and features of electric hand-held circular saw
An electric circular saw is a tool that can also be used in the household. When choosing, you need to take into account a number of parameters, including power.

Types and features of electric hand-held circular saw

Using a circular saw when cutting wood can greatly increase the efficiency of simple work. Indeed, in this tool, the cutting blade moves in only one direction. Accordingly, there is no need to return it to its original position, as when working with a hand saw, spending about half of all energy on it. It also increases the processing speed. Hand circular (circular) saw can be used not only for woodwork. They can also work with materials such as plastics, chipboard and even soft metals.

Circular electric hand saw. Which is better and how to choose the right one

First, let’s look at some of the features of this tool. It should be noted right away that hand-held circular electric saws work according to the same principle. The rotation of the disc is carried out by means of an electric motor. There are 2 main types here:

  • Rechargeable;
  • Network.

The former captivates by the fact that they can work anywhere. After all, there is no connection to the source of electricity. However, such circulars are not very powerful. And such a tool is more expensive. Therefore, electric hand-held circular saws are more popular today. They can also be classified into 3 types:

  • Household;
  • Semi-professional;
  • Professional.

This is one of the most important criteria when choosing. Accordingly, first of all, you need to decide on the tasks that you plan to perform using such a tool. Household circulars are not very powerful and have minimal functionality. Nevertheless, this is quite enough to carry out a number of tasks in the household. And they are cheaper. The semi-professional tool is a cross between household and professional saws. Here, there is already more power and broader functionality. Accordingly, the cost of such saws is higher. Well, the most expensive option is a professional tool. Such saws allow you to perform a large amount of work and have a very wide functionality. However, the cost of such a tool is quite high. Therefore, it is often simply impractical to buy it.

When choosing such a tool, it is recommended to pay attention to the manufacturer. Of course, the best option is world-renowned brands such as Bosch, Makita, Hitachi, Metabo and so on. However, it should be borne in mind that such a tool is not cheap. Therefore, there is often a reason to opt for the products of such manufacturers as Sturm, Zenit or Sparky. This is also a fairly high quality tool, but with a lower cost. For work performed from time to time, this option, probably, can be called optimal in terms of cost and functionality.

So, we have decided on the type of instrument (household, semi-professional or professional), as well as the manufacturer. What else should you pay attention to when choosing a hand-held electric circular saw? An important criterion in this case is the power of the tool. There are a very large number of different models on the market today. Accordingly, the choice is large, and an inexperienced person can easily get confused in all this. That is why it is recommended to study all the characteristics of the instrument.

For example, the efficiency of the circular operation directly depends on the power. In addition, there is another important point to consider. The more powerful the instrument is, the heavier it is. Therefore, an excessive margin “just in case” is not needed here. After all, circulars with a capacity of 2 kW weigh about 7 kilograms. Agree, working with such a tool will not be so easy. If you need a 3 kW saw, then it is better to choose a stationary circular.

The next important criterion is the cutting depth. This indicator directly depends on the power of the tool. The explanation is simple. The more powerful the tool, the larger the diameter of the cutting disc can be installed on it. There are 4 main sizes here:

  • From 4 to 4.5;
  • 5 to 5.5;
  • From 6 to 7;
  • The maximum is up to 14 centimeters.

The latter are not used in everyday life. This size is suitable for professional tools. For domestic needs, the range from 4 to 4.5 centimeters is quite enough. However, it all depends on the work that you intend to do with the circular saw. It should also be noted that many models have the ability to adjust the cutting depth. This option can be called universal.

You should also pay attention to the speed of rotation of the cutting blade. The purity of the cut and the density of the wood with which you can work depends on this parameter. It should be noted that the disc speed does not directly depend on the motor power. Therefore, this indicator must be specified in a separate order. If you plan to work frequently with material such as chipboard, then a high speed tool is best.

Many models of hand-held circulars allow you to adjust the angle of the cut. This function is needed more by professionals, while at the household level it is simply not needed. Therefore, it is better to pay attention to other functionality. First of all, here it is necessary to highlight a smooth start, the possibility of blocking it and immersion in wood. All this is very useful for working at home as well. For example, thanks to a soft start, the cutting blade will pick up speed gradually. This extends the tool life. The anti-start capability significantly increases safety. In order to start the tool, you will have to press 2 buttons simultaneously. This solution eliminates the risk of accidentally starting the saw. Well, the immersion function in the wood is useful in that you can start work from any area, not just from the edge.

Some models are equipped with a laser pointer, which eliminates the need for a guide rail. However, in order to confidently use this function in practice, some experience is required. A beginner is unlikely to be able to make a perfectly straight cut the first time. A stationary device for removing dust and shavings is also very useful. It increases the comfort of working in confined spaces. It should also be noted that some handheld circulars can be connected to a vacuum cleaner.

Tool selection: which circular saw is best?

When renovating an apartment, sometimes you need to saw something. To do this, you can use an ordinary hacksaw. However, most home craftsmen, who often deal with hand tools, sooner or later prefer to replace it with an electric one. There are several types of saws. The chain model, as a rule, is used for harvesting firewood, but in order to make a long and neat cut in the wood, a circular saw is more suitable.

circular electric hand saw which is better

A stationary saw will greatly help in the construction of a country lady, as it is powerful and capable of processing a large amount of material.

Basic models for DIYers and professionals

The domestic saw “Zubr” is suitable for cutting wood, chipboard, fiberboard, it can be connected to a vacuum cleaner so that wood dust does not get into the lungs.

If the circular saw will not serve you as your main production tool, you can opt for relatively inexpensive tools. Skil products are characterized by high cutting accuracy, equipped with a comfortable handle, lightweight and compact. For example, the Skil 5740 LA weighs just 2.4 kg. The Skil 5165 LA, Skil 5265 LA and Skil 5265 LD models can be equipped with a vacuum cleaner or a special dust bag.

Saw “Zubr ZPD 900” has gained great popularity thanks to a 3-year warranty. If you are not too lazy and register on the company’s website, you can get a 5-year warranty. True, this device is somewhat heavy in comparison with similar products of foreign firms, but in terms of price and quality it has a clear advantage. The universal household tool is suitable for cutting wood, chipboard, fiberboard, including wet material. To prevent small particles of wood from getting into the lungs, the developers of the model have provided for the possibility of connecting the “Zubr” to a vacuum cleaner.

Of the products manufactured by Bosch, we recommend a circular saw for household (green) and professional use (blue). Most of the models have a turbo-blowing of sawdust from the treated surface and an adapter for connecting a dust extraction. Bosch tools are at the forefront of power-to-weight ratio. In addition to them, professionals highly appreciate tools from the companies “Makita” and “Hitachi” (Japan), “DE WALT” (USA).

The main parameters characterizing the model

Household circulars are not designed to work for more than 15-20 minutes.

It is better to buy branded products: both imported and domestic. A too cheap unit from an unknown manufacturer is usually of poor quality. But even a high-quality circular saw has a certain specialization, in accordance with which it is determined for which type of work and material which circular saw is more suitable.

When assessing the “business qualities” of the chosen instrument, they usually pay attention to the following indicators:

  • Power;
  • Rotation speed, its variety: variable or constant;
  • Disc diameter;
  • Cutting depth;
  • Weight;
  • Vibration and noise level;
  • Ease of use (how well the saw “lies in the hand”);
  • Cost;
  • Guarantee period.

In a good saw, the blade should be parallel to the sole. Its slope, as well as the cutting depth, are easily adjustable, the tool does not cover the work surface. The way to remove dust and sawdust matters. Some models have a special container for collecting them (for example, MAKITA 5017 RKB), while others provide the ability to connect to a special vacuum cleaner or a similar dust extraction unit via an adapter. The performance is improved by creating a rational ventilation and cooling system.

How to choose the right drive?

When choosing a disc for a circular, you should pay attention to the alloy from which it is made and the shape of the teeth.

Smooth, beautiful edges in it are impossible when using a disc with carbide taps. They are provided only by discs in which there are no solders. The circular saw equipped with them does an excellent job with soft woods. It is much more difficult to process solid wood, and if there is a nail in it, then you will have to say goodbye to the disc: it will not work with broken teeth. A carbide-tipped tool will cut through the nail easily, but the edges will not be very neat.

The cut quality is also influenced by the shape of the teeth. With a positive angle of sharpening (in the direction of rotation), which is called active, it is convenient to saw wood or plastic. Negative, otherwise passive, the sharpening angle (against the direction of rotation of the disc) makes it possible to saw metal: tin or copper. But if a saw with such a disc is used for processing wood, the quality of the cut will be low, with torn edges.

For rip sawing solid wood, it is best to choose a blade with a low number of teeth (approximately 10-28, depending on the diameter). However, when sawing wood across the grain, the disc will be too rough. A high number of small teeth (from 60 to 80) will provide a high-quality cut, practically without tearing out the material, which is especially important when processing plywood sheets and chipboards. But with an increase in the number of teeth, the power consumption will also increase.

The main parameters characterizing the model

Household circulars are not designed to work for more than 15-20 minutes.

It is better to buy branded products: both imported and domestic. A too cheap unit from an unknown manufacturer is usually of poor quality. But even a high-quality circular saw has a certain specialization, in accordance with which it is determined for which type of work and material which circular saw is more suitable.

When assessing the “business qualities” of the chosen instrument, they usually pay attention to the following indicators:

  • Power;
  • Rotation speed, its variety: variable or constant;
  • Disc diameter;
  • Cutting depth;
  • Weight;
  • Vibration and noise level;
  • Ease of use (how well the saw “lies in the hand”);
  • Cost;
  • Guarantee period.

In a good saw, the blade should be parallel to the sole. Its slope, as well as the cutting depth, are easily adjustable, the tool does not cover the work surface. The way to remove dust and sawdust matters. Some models have a special container for collecting them (for example, MAKITA 5017 RKB), while others provide the ability to connect to a special vacuum cleaner or a similar dust extraction unit via an adapter. The performance is improved by creating a rational ventilation and cooling system.

Cutting depth and adjustable tilt angle

In some models there are adjustments to the depth of cut of the tilt angle.

Most of the models make it possible to make a cut with a depth of 50 to 70 mm. If you have to work with a board up to 50 mm thick, plywood, chipboard, fiberboard, it is better not to spend extra money and purchase a lightweight compact model with a small diameter disc, about 160 mm. In more expensive devices there is a disc with a diameter of 190-200 mm, they are noticeably heavier, but at the same time they provide a cut deeper, up to 70 mm.

As a rule, the saw is purchased complete with a set of interchangeable discs. They can be made of different materials, have different forms of teeth. However, even the best tool cannot be fitted with discs of different diameters. If the disk size is larger than necessary, it will not be possible to fit it into this structure. A disc with a diameter smaller than required is simply dangerous to install. Indeed, in this case, the gap between it and the protective casing will be too wide, sufficient for a finger to accidentally get there. With a rotational speed reaching 5000 rpm in some models, the outcome of such a hit is quite predictable.

The tilt angle adjustment can range from 90 to 45 degrees.

A modern circular saw makes it possible to adjust the tilt level of its base. Thanks to the tilt, it is possible to cut at an angle of up to 45 °, but this significantly reduces the cutting depth. So, at the maximum angle of inclination, the cutting depth is reduced by a third, that is, with a declared cut of 63 mm, its real depth will be only 42 mm. When choosing a tool, this feature should be taken into account when choosing a model for cutting at an angle with a disc of a sufficiently large diameter.

Continuing the topic, one cannot fail to mention the Worx WT431KE circular saw. It has a revolving handle, in which the angle of inclination can be varied from 0 to 60 °. This innovation is used only in the products of the WORX company and is its proprietary development. It makes it possible to individually adapt the tool to any person and make his work more convenient.

Hand-held circular saw. Getting to know the fixture

This device came about thanks to Tabitha Babbitt, who realized that sawing with a conventional saw is only effective in one direction, so she came up with the idea of ​​a circular blade rotating in one direction. And such thoughts crept into her while observing the men, how they, strong and healthy, waste 50% of their strength, moving the saw blade back and forth, and the work stands and waits. All this happened as much as 200 years ago, but today the hand-held circular saw for wood has undergone many modifications and “overgrown” with various devices for the convenience of work.

This tool looks like a sharp-toothed disc that can be installed on any more or less powerful unit that has a torque. But due to the popularity of using this idea in repair and construction, an autonomous machine is now being produced, which serves only for sawing, and in addition to the disk, it has all kinds of convenience for work, for example, clamps and stops. Such a circular saw with a guide keeps the correct path, you can even cut at an angle. There is also a device for collecting and ejecting sawdust, which will certainly form under the disc, but do not always fall down, but fly up, clogging up the important “organs” of the instrument.

The modern market is full of models of this device for the household. A stationary circular saw will look good in your workshop if you often cut lumber. And if you are doing work all the time at various points of your site, or even driving around objects, then a mobile copy, which is small in size, will completely satisfy your needs. A small circular saw can even be the result of your skillful hands, there are many instructions on how to make one yourself.

Hand-held circular saw. For real men!

The hand-held circular saw is an excellent alternative to the familiar hacksaw, which is very handy for sawing boards from side to side, but along is sheer flour. But the circular will make this lesson very fast, and the result will be much better.

Electric circular saw. We select discs for the tool

But making an effective tool yourself is quite difficult, so let’s define the characteristics and find out which circular saw is better. From the point of view of geometry, these devices can differ in the shape and method of sharpening the teeth, this affects the smoothness of the cut and the accuracy of the edge. There are flat teeth (very rough work is obtained), trapezoidal (they can cut thinly and accurately), variable (they take wood well along the fibers) and others. Also, this parameter can affect the ability to cut certain materials, for example, a circular saw for metal often has trapezoidal teeth.

Of the characteristics of the disc itself, the outer diameter, the number of teeth, and the thickness of the blade are important. For miniature models, a very small disc diameter is used. 15 cm, the cutting depth, of course, will be small, which means that only simple work can be performed. The most popular large discs are considered to be options with a diameter of up to 20 cm. In general, when buying a tool, you need to choose this larger parameter so that other sizes of discs, which are slightly smaller, can be put into the slot. You cannot put a large disc in a small slot, it will cut the protective covers.

But the inner diameter of the disc is important to know for sure, this is the landing size. Having chosen it incorrectly, you will not be able to fix the disk in the instrument, although there are now adapter rings, but this is not a very convenient option. The number of teeth affects the pace and quality of work. If we take a disc with a low concentration of teeth (for example, 24 teeth for a diameter of 20 cm), then the cut will be rough, but the work is fast. If you are ready to spend a little more time on work and would like to see a neat cut, then the number of teeth should be taken more. It is good to have a set of discs so that you can take a more convenient one for each occasion.