![]() But the good news gets better: It has an aluminum accessory track-no special shoe or mounting hardware required. Equipped with a standard 7.25-inch blade and an 8-Ah battery and weighing 11.6 pounds, it’s a nimble cutter by itself. We’ve tested many circular saws, and this one comes as close to perfection of the form as is possible. Here’s how the best corded and cordless saws-from inexpensive, homeowner-duty saws to pro-worthy models-fared in our test. The most common cause is a saw motor and body that makes a slightly sloppy fit with the shoe on which it rides. If the saw moved off the square (and the cutline), we knew something was amiss. If the saw held true along the cut, that told us that its shoe edge and blade are parallel. Next, we did some hairsplitting crosscuts, guiding each saw along a square held across the wood. We use each saw to cut across and with the grain, the blade perpendicular to its shoe and at an angle to it. Our test material is Douglas fir 2 x 4, 2 x 10, 4 x 4, and 4 x 6 pressure-treated southern yellow pine (reserved for full-depth cuts on our pro-duty rear handle saws), some hem fir, and some rock-hard red oak thrown in for good measure. For corded circular saws, you also need a heavy-duty, 15-amp extension cord, safety glasses, and some ear protection. Review: Metabo-HPT C3607DWA Circular SawĪside from the saw, you need a couple of carpenter’s pencils and a combination square to both mark the lumber and guide the saw for accurate crosscuts.But if you expect to make more difficult cuts such as plunging through an interior floor, frame out your basement, or cut pressure-treated lumber, opt for a pro-duty cordless or corded circular saw. Homeowner-grade cordless saws have enough power to cut 2 x 3 and 2 x 4 lumber, pine planks, and plywood. With manufacturers working so hard to develop cordless tools, you also may wonder if these are the best fit for you. A homeowner working with a pro-level circular saw may find it too heavy and be unable to take advantage of its speed and power. While it’s true that pro saws cut faster compared to homeowner saws, their most important attribute is durability. Contractor saws start at 10.5 pounds and go up from there.īut a contractor-grade saw may not help you get the job done faster, believe it or not. The average homeowner-duty saw (with a motor drawing 12 amps) weighs 8 to 9 pounds. These features promote durability but increase the saw’s weight. The saw rides on a larger, more damage-resistant shoe and is equipped with a big, tough trigger switch, larger and tougher bearings, and a thick but highly flexible cord. Corded models have motors that draw as much current as 15 amps. Contractor-grade saws can have the blade on the left or the right of the motor. If you’re ambitious, you might want the same saw the pros use. When the blade is fully lowered, the saw cuts to about 2.25 inches deep (or slightly deeper). With a few exceptions, most of the blades are 7.25 inches in diameter, positioned on the right side of the motor. Save for the rear-handle saws we cover, the tools that we tested do not exhibit much design variation. The Best Circular SawsĬircular saws are powerful tools that crosscut wood (cut across its grain) and rip it (cut with the grain). ![]() Read on for quick info on the best circular saws from our testing, then scroll down for buying advice and in-depth reviews of these and other models. From there, consider how you like to work, and make an informed selection. Using our data, look at the circular saw’s performance, its price, and its physical characteristics, such as its weight and whether it’s corded or cordless. Our advice is always the same regarding our recommendations: Your goal isn’t to buy the most powerful tool or the least expensive, but the tool that’s the right fit for you. ![]() Our favorites below range from budget-friendly models, to pro-style machines that any contractor could use to frame a house. Here at Popular Mechanics, we constantly test and use circular saws in our own projects. Bottom line: the circular saw is the best tool for fast and accurate cutting. Plus, with a little practice, they’re easier to use than you might think. Sure, there are alternatives like hand saws and jigsaws, but they don’t come close in terms of efficiency and versatility. If you need to cut a large amount of lumber or plywood, or to break down lots of hardwood pieces to feed through a table saw, you’re going to need a circular saw. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |