A Consumer"s Guide to Buying a Circular Saw
Because circular saws usually last for a long period of time, often for 10 to 20 years, it is important to purchase the correct one.
With this in mind, there are several items to consider when shopping for a saw.
These include: Style: Circular saws come in two primary styles.
The first is the worm-drive which consists of a blade that is located to the left, which makes it useful for right-handed individuals.
They are heavier than other options, but have more torque than the second style, the sidewinder.
The sidewinder, which is perhaps the most common form of the circular saw, consists of a high handle with the blade placed on the saw's right side.
They are usually less expensive and lighter and are also able to spin faster than the worm-drive.
Most tradesmen believe that sidewinders are a better choice than the worm-drive.
Blade Size: These saws are most often categorized based upon the blade's diameter.
The most popular size is 7 ¼ inch, which is able to cut through 3 inch materials and offer a large number of blade choices for various substances.
Power: Saw power is defined in terms of amperage.
The standard power is typically 15 amps but infrequent use usually requires no more than 10 to 12 amps.
Ergonomics: The majority of sidewinder saws look similar to those who are unfamiliar with the different components of the saw.
The only way to understand the ergonomic differences between the saws is to pick one up and determine how they feel.
Therefore, it is essential to go to a DIY store or tool supplier and see how they each feel in your hands.
Make sure that the saw is balanced and is the right weight for you to be able to manoeuvre.
Ensure that you are also comfortable with the blade's visibility and the components which allow it to be adjusted.
Cordless vs.
Corded: Cordless saws are great when you do not have access to electrical outlets.
This is probably not necessary though as few workshops lack power sockets.
Having an extension cord or two is also a great idea if you are going to be working in a large workshop.
Although the amount of power in cordless saws has greatly increased, corded saws still have significantly more power than their cordless counterparts.
Therefore, the recommended choice is a corded saw which comes with a long, as opposed to a short, cord.
Blades: The majority of new saws are sold with a wood cutting blade that is all-purpose and tipped with carbide.
Depending upon the types of projects for which you require the saw, this might be all that is required for your saw.
However, there are several other blade options which can be purchased in order to cut metal, wood, concrete, and tile.
If you are going to require the saw for a number of cutting projects, you should purchase a blade with a high tooth count.
With this in mind, there are several items to consider when shopping for a saw.
These include: Style: Circular saws come in two primary styles.
The first is the worm-drive which consists of a blade that is located to the left, which makes it useful for right-handed individuals.
They are heavier than other options, but have more torque than the second style, the sidewinder.
The sidewinder, which is perhaps the most common form of the circular saw, consists of a high handle with the blade placed on the saw's right side.
They are usually less expensive and lighter and are also able to spin faster than the worm-drive.
Most tradesmen believe that sidewinders are a better choice than the worm-drive.
Blade Size: These saws are most often categorized based upon the blade's diameter.
The most popular size is 7 ¼ inch, which is able to cut through 3 inch materials and offer a large number of blade choices for various substances.
Power: Saw power is defined in terms of amperage.
The standard power is typically 15 amps but infrequent use usually requires no more than 10 to 12 amps.
Ergonomics: The majority of sidewinder saws look similar to those who are unfamiliar with the different components of the saw.
The only way to understand the ergonomic differences between the saws is to pick one up and determine how they feel.
Therefore, it is essential to go to a DIY store or tool supplier and see how they each feel in your hands.
Make sure that the saw is balanced and is the right weight for you to be able to manoeuvre.
Ensure that you are also comfortable with the blade's visibility and the components which allow it to be adjusted.
Cordless vs.
Corded: Cordless saws are great when you do not have access to electrical outlets.
This is probably not necessary though as few workshops lack power sockets.
Having an extension cord or two is also a great idea if you are going to be working in a large workshop.
Although the amount of power in cordless saws has greatly increased, corded saws still have significantly more power than their cordless counterparts.
Therefore, the recommended choice is a corded saw which comes with a long, as opposed to a short, cord.
Blades: The majority of new saws are sold with a wood cutting blade that is all-purpose and tipped with carbide.
Depending upon the types of projects for which you require the saw, this might be all that is required for your saw.
However, there are several other blade options which can be purchased in order to cut metal, wood, concrete, and tile.
If you are going to require the saw for a number of cutting projects, you should purchase a blade with a high tooth count.
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