Due to the versatility and great capacity they obtain, circular saws are increasingly popular amongst the DIY community. However, you must know how to use a circular saw to be able to utilise it safely and effectively. Read on if you need thorough guidelines!
Preparation
Here are a few basic rules you should always follow before using the machine:
- Secure loose clothing, pay attention to jewellry and be careful with long hair.
- Safety gear is a must-have. You are required to prepare protective eyewear, ear protection, and a safety mask.
- Make sure the saw blade is suitable for your project. Each type of material will be required for certain types of blades. Standard blades would fit most materials. Yet, plastic, concrete, or brick will need a specialised blade. It would help if you asked the seller or read the instructions carefully to make a good choice.
- Check your blade guard regularly. Please make sure their position is correct and working properly.
- Measure the workpieces and adjust your blade to extend about 0.6 cm below the cutting material. This step reduces the risk of the saw blade touching you or catching other tools.
- Always have one spare saw blade.
- Read the user manual carefully before use.
How To Use A Circular Saw?
Step 1: Measure and sketch, experiment
Measure the dimensions of the piece of material that you need to cut. Draw a guideline or mark where you will make your cut.
Use rulers/straight edges and draw with a special pencil or marker. Make sure they’re clear enough for you to follow.
Step 2: Cutting
Place the materials on the saw table or place them on two sawhorses. When starting to cut, make sure the material has a solid base and is free of obstructions underneath. In this way, the blade won’t get stuck to surrounding surfaces or objects.
Before inserting the blade into the object to be cut, start the saw first. This step helps prevent two parts of the workpiece from getting caught or bound to the blade.
Then, set the machine at the supported workpiece cost. Push the blade slowly through the mark you previously marked and along the surface of the material.
In particular, make sure that the right side of the workpiece is always in line with your cutting line. You should move the machine slowly and carefully. Moving it too quickly can increase the likelihood of mistakes and cause the saw to become jammed with debris.
Note that you must keep a safe distance from the tool during the cutting process. If you need to adjust the direction of the saw or workpiece, take your finger off the trigger completely.
Step 3: Finish
Once you have finished cutting, release the trigger and wait for the blade to come to a stop completely.
- Now, unplug when finished using.
- Lower the blade guard and lock it.
Store the machine in a stable location and tilt the blade away from other tools. If you have small children, make sure the tool is securely locked and out of their reach.
Some Mistakes when Using Circular Saw
- Using chipped/old blade of poor quality
Due to the cost-saving habit, many people still use worn or chipped blades. Yet, be mindful of the severe consequences that you might face from this mistake.
This mistake affects the quality of the cutting line, the aesthetics of the cut, or even causes damage to the components.
- Using a machine with an unstable speed
The machine will degrade and operate at incorrect capacity, thus causing the quality of the cutting line to be unsatisfactory.
In addition, during use, the performer needs to stand in the right posture to one side; it is forbidden to lean on the abdomen.
- Do not use protective gear
When using portable wood saws, it is necessary to use glasses and protective clothing to avoid wood dust entering the eyes and body. Most users do not pay attention to this problem, leading to unfortunate eye accidents.
Conclusion
After reading this blog, you now learned how to use a circular saw. Keep in mind that this tool can cause injury during use, so you must read the instructions carefully and strictly follow the safety methods!
Lastly, aways make sure that your chainsaw is equipped with adequate safety protection and you’ve weared protective clothing before using it. Check the blade, baseplate, and all safety mechanisms carefully before using as well.
Thank you for reading this blog! Good luck with your project!