A circular saw, as the name implies, has a circular blade that rotates very fast for cutting short lengths of wood, plastic, or even metal. They come in all shapes and sizes from handheld saws for small quick jobs to huge table platforms for larger projects. Industrial sized circular saws are used for cutting entire trees down to usable board sizes for further processing. Here are some tips for using all varieties of circular saws.
Safety always comes first with using any tool whether it is powered or not. Read the instruction manual front to back first and know what every button and every switch on your saw does. Always wears protective equipment like goggles or safety glasses.
The next thing is to get some scrap wood and just use the saw on it. Get a feel for the tool and cut the plank as many different ways as the saw can be utilized with every knob, nook, and cranny unturned. Cut at angles and different depths. Use the saw attached to a table and apart from it. Just be safe and use it.
After you have the hang of your circular saw, pick a simple project and work with it. Build a small table with it to see how it looks. Construct that birdhouse with your son. Do that simple home improvement that takes ten minutes with a few two by fours. Start simple and then work to the more difficult projects.
When cutting with the saw, use even pressure and a steady hand. Don’t make abrupt motions or not only will your cut be off but the look of the wood will be horrible. Too fast and it will be burned, too slow and splinters will show up.
Leave plenty of room to cut around the saw. Leaving something too close to the material can possibly damage the saw should it come in contact with it and in turn injure you. Leave enough space above tables to give the saw room to do its job.
Stabilize everything that needs to be cut. One slip and even a safety switch won’t matter when you cut yourself. Plus your cuts will come out better when things are held absolutely still.
When cutting metal, don’t have anything flammable near the saw as sparks will be present. No spray cans, oil cans, and especially gasoline cans don’t need to be anywhere near a saw that is cutting metal.
Make sure you are using the proper blade for the material you need to cut. Don’t use a wood blade to cut metal and vice versa. Again, the cut will turn out horribly and injury may occur. Blades will dull quicker and also pose a threat of injury.
Measure and re-measure before you make a cut. Some mistakes are easier to correct than others, but after hours and hours of doing detailed work only to be ruined by one inch off here or there could force a project to be started completely over.
Lastly, and certainly not least, have fun. Enjoy the saw. Circular saws are very versatile and can be found at most retail outlets that have a hardware department or your local hardware store. Videos abound on how to use saws for home improvement projects and for weekend woodworkers. When used properly, circular saws are perhaps the greatest little power tool you can buy.
http://www.finehomebuilding.com/how-to/articles/circular-saw-basics.aspx
