Circular Saw Information

Remember that for making a few cross cuts, picking up a hand saw may be just as efficient as dragging out a power saw, setting the depth and plugging it in. For most users, Taunton's 2004 Tool Guide recommends the Stanley Short Cut saw (*est. $13), even though its hardened teeth can't be re-sharpened. If you want a standard "lifetime" saw to pass on to your kids, a good-quality hand saw costs about $75 to $100; Taunton Press editors recommend the Pax brand. Japanese handsaws are also getting popular in the United States, selling for an estimated $30 to $50.

Though they're expensive, we found several reviews recommending the Festool plunge cutting saws. These are designed more for use in a workshop than at construction sites, but builders also recommend them because the system is quite mobile and can cut siding or any other kind of panel. The latest version is the 13-amp Festool TS 75 EQ with an 8.25-inch blade, but the Festool TS 55 EQ is still available (with a 6.25-inch blade). Both are extra safe, since the blade automatically retracts into the housing whenever the trigger is off. Also, a riving knife keeps the kerf open. The Festool saw is part of a large system of tools and accessories, including guide rails of various lengths and a very quiet and effective dust-collecting vacuum. The Festool saws bevel only to 45 degrees, but cut edges are exceptionally smooth.

As a less expensive alternative to the Festool plunge cutting saws and guide rails, several manufacturers make circular-saw trolleys for guiding the saw along one or two guide rails. Taunton's 2008 Tool Guide includes a review based on objective testing of guide rail systems. This issue may still be available at newsstands, or you may buy it online (*est. $10 plus shipping).

Other cutting guides clamp on. Wood Magazine has a review of clamp-on cutting guides that you can download from their website (*est. $5).

For cutting metal framing studs, bundles of rebar or steel pipe, a standard circular saw can be fitted with a metal cutting blade. However, metal sparks and sharp metal chips make this dangerous. Reviews say that metal-cutting circular saws, with fully enclosed blades and closed chip catchers, offer much greater safety. An 8.25-inch blade can cut through a bundle of ten 2x2 metal studs in a single pass. Tools of the Trade Online tests six metal-cutting circular saws, giving top ranking to the 8-inch Milwaukee 6370-21 (*est. $300).

Toologics.com, a good weblog for keeping up with the latest power tools, offers a useful article on when to choose a sidewinder circular saw and when a worm-drive saw is better.

The Wikipedia entry for circular saws gives a nice summary of basic information.

The Canadian equivalent to OSHA, CCOHS, has a well-illustrated guide to circular saw safety.

AskToolTalk.com includes an article entitled "The Great Divide" by Leon A. Frechette. This article includes a history of both types of circular saws in the United States, including mention of the Shaker inventor of the circular saw blade, Sarah Babbit.

Popular Mechanics has a helpful article on how to get the most out of your circular saw, "Using a Circular Saw" by Steve Willson.

Circular Saw Manufacturers:

Black & Decker

Bosch

Craftsman (Sears)

DeWalt (owned by Black & Decker)

Festool

Firestorm (owned by Black & Decker)

Hitachi

Makita

Milwaukee (owned by TTI)

Panasonic

Porter-Cable (owned by Black & Decker)

Ridgid (owned by TTI)

Ryobi (owned by TTI)

Skil (owned by Bosch)

Worx