Choosing a circular saw for wood for work in the workshop

Each type of material or cut requires specific tools. A circular saw for wood can be stationary and mobile, have different power and additional capabilities. There are many parameters that you should be guided by in order to make the right choice.

Mobile or stationary saw?

The easiest parameter to evaluate, there are only 2 options:

1. The stationary installation is a table with a built-in circular saw for wood, which protrudes by about a third. Ideal for the business of cutting straight equal bars. Usually, such a machine requires a special electrical network (three-phase), so it is impossible to install it at home.
2. For the operation of hand tools, an electric motor with a rotary mechanism is used, on which saw blades of various diameters can be attached. Such a tool is ideal for manual work. It allows you to perform a wide range of actions, but the performance of such work is low.

Below we will look at how to choose and buy a circular hand saw for wood. Stationary models are too different, so they must be disassembled separately.

Saw power

All instruments can be divided into several power categories:

1. The power ranges from 500-1200 watts. They are used for cutting boards up to 45 cm thick. The disc diameter cannot exceed 160 mm. Fairly cheap saws that are good enough for most household chores.
2. Power ranges from 1200 to 1800 watts. They are used for cutting beams up to 60 cm thick. The diameter of the disc in such a tool can be increased to 200 mm. This saw can be called a semi-professional machine.
3. The largest instruments range in power from 1800 to 2500 watts. They are used for sawing logs up to 75 cm in diameter. This unit can also be used for cutting steel. It can accommodate discs up to 350 mm in diameter. Quite a large and heavy professional tool.

The power depends on the maximum diameter of the disc.

Performance indicators

Before you choose and buy a circular saw for wood, you need to pay special attention to the performance of the tool:

1. The distance the saw can enter the tree directly depends on the diameter of the blade. The depth of entry is the most important parameter.
2. Rotation speed is the second most important indicator. The quality of work and labor productivity depend on it. The higher the rotation speed, the less defects and microdamages remain on the tree.
3. Angle cut is the angle at which the machine can operate. In some cases, this opportunity is irreplaceable. Typical tilt tolerance for most tools is 45^about, but there are saws that can cut at an angle of 60^about.
4. Autonomy. In some cases, you need to purchase a unit that can operate on a battery. The power of such products is usually low, but the tool is capable of sawing wood for 20-50 minutes.
5. Smooth start. Optional parameter when selected, but very useful. Smooth starting and stopping of rotation save the tool and extend the service life.
6. Blocking of accidental start. This feature is necessary for greater security.
7. The weight of the saw is an important parameter, since the tool has to be held independently during operation. The mass is directly related to the power of the saw, the higher it is, the heavier the unit. Still, you can find powerful tools with low weight.

A circular saw for wood can only work with wood; other equipment must be purchased for metal.

However, if necessary, the same tool can be used to cut plywood, laminate, chipboard, fiberboard, plastic, slate, plastic glass. Other materials can be processed that are comparable to wood in terms of hardness and density.

Professional or hobby saws

A professional tool is primarily distinguished by its high power and a large blade diameter, which is permissible to put in a saw. This affects how thick the wood can be cut with the machine. But professional equipment differs not only in this, it also has a number of advantages:

1. The adjustment of the cutting angle has a more precise setting in degrees, as well as a much more reliable fixation of the tilt.
2. Many professional units have design solutions that dampen vibration, making work more convenient and accurate.
3. The tool has fasteners for fixing on a special machine, thanks to which you can make more even cuts.
4. Many professional tools, despite the high power and large motor volume, are lightweight. This is achieved with lightweight but strong alloys at the base of the structure.

Choosing a saw blade

The quality of the cut very much depends on which blade is inserted into the circular saw for wood:

1. Tungsten carbide blades. Regular plates that are used in most cases. They serve for a long time, easily enter the tree and withstand loads.
2. If you need to make a cut with a minimum thickness, then it is necessary to purchase discs that have teeth with variable heights and scoring blades with solders.
3. For radial or pendulum sawing of wood, you need to buy the corresponding specialized discs.

Please note that discs must be sharpened with professional equipment. High-strength carbide blades are sharpened with diamond tools. Only standard discs can be filed independently.

Video review of circular saws for wood