Circular saw is a power tool used for cutting materials stiff or soft. Circular saw uses a rotating blade or abrasive disc to cut the materials. There are different types of circular saws available in the market which are classified in different categories according to their operation on different materials.
In this article we will be taking a detailed look on different types of circular saw by describing their functionality and limitations. It will definitely help amature woodworkers to choose a specific circular saw for their particular projects. Stay with Us!
Mobility has always been a great feature to anything that is very useful as it is with circular saws. Compact in size and having tremendous power.
Circular saws are portable tools which are easy to move around from one place to another which makes them even worthy.
11 Types Of Circular Saws & Their Uses!
Following is a list of the most famous types of circular saw, we will be discussing mainstream benefits, working limitations, and their usage by elaborating each type.
Rank | Product Image | Brand Name | Details | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
| Slightly slower in speed but very powerful | ||
2 |
| Motor is placed on one side of the tool so user gets proper aim to cuttings | ||
3 |
| Unlimited power availability makes it strong for tougher tasks | ||
4 |
| Uses lithium ion battery to work, it is light in weights can be held in overhead operations | ||
5 |
| Keeps the materials cool as well as itself, finishes the work quite brilliantly | ||
6 |
| Made for hard and long metal cuttings, uses abrasive friction discs. | ||
7 |
| Handled circular saws made for smaller and softer jobs | ||
8 |
| It provides good speeds and torque and it is very durable | ||
9 |
| A huge saw used to cut the bigger wooden objects | ||
10 |
| Also known as plunge saw, used for center cuttings | ||
11 |
| Facilitative individual, mostly used for angular cuttings |
1. Worm Drive Circular Saws
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- Lightest magnesium construction reduces user fatigue for less down time
- Cut-ready depth of cut system helps with quick, accurate depth measurements
- 53° bevel allows users to complete a wider variety of cuts
- 15 Amp of power gives users the power to rip through more lumber in less time
- The anti-snag lower guard provides smooth operation for small cut-off pieces
Worm drive circular saws are used for longer rip cuts. In this type of circular saw, blades are placed right in front of the motor. These saws are slower in speed as you can understand by it’s name yet they are very strong and powerful. It provides great torque with the help of gearings.
This circular saw design is very convenient for the user, because the blades are placed on the left side of the tool which makes it easy for the right handed users to have a great look on the cuts for maintaining accuracy. Strong handle provides good grip eventually tool never kicks back.
2. Sidewinder Circular Saws
- 7-1/4 In. all magnesium saw - magnesium motor housing stabilizes drive train
- Best-in-class torque improves productivity and speed of cut
- Our Dual-Field motor is especially designed for saws by providing increased cooling to extend tool life
- 7-1/4 In. 24 tooth Diablo carbide blade provides the optimal out-of-the-box experience
- Dust blower clears the line of cut for increased accuracy
In sidewinder circular saws the motor is placed on the one side of the tool. A worm drive motor placed at the back end of the circular saw, transformation of the power to blade is done by a gear set which is aligned on the 90 degree angle.
These circular saws are lighter in weight and larger in sizes but it does not lessen its performance . You can get best performance if you have configured the blade correctly. These saws are mostly used for long vertical cuts through chip boards and plywood pieces.
3. Corded Circular Saws
- DEWALT 7 1/4 circular saw is among the lightest saws in its class (8.8 lbs.)
- Electric brake of the corded circular saw stops the blade after trigger is released
- 15 amp motor of the compact circular saw delivers power for even the toughest applications
- 57degree beveling capacity with stops at 45 degree and 22.5 degree
- Depth of cut capacity of 2 9/16 inch
The corded circular saw gets power from supply cords that’s why it is called corded circular saw. A power generator can also be used for providing energy to this. Infinite power supply lines make these saws to work for long and with more efficiency as compared to others.
Corded saws are considered powerful saws. These saws are mostly used for cutting the hard wooden objects. It can also be used to cut metals by swapping between blade types according to the material.
4. Cordless Circular Saws
- Makita built motor delivers 3, 700 RPM for faster cutting and ripping through wood
- Heavy gauge, precision machined base for smooth, accurate cutting and added durability
- 50 degree maximum bevel cutting capacity
- Weighs only 7.3 pounds with battery (battery not included) for reduced operator fatigue
- 6 to 1/2 inches blade delivers a 2 to 1/4 inches cutting capacity for a wide range of cutting applications
Cordless circular saws are most liked by woodworkers due to its mobility. The light weight makes them easy to hold while doing overhead operations. This type of saw comes with a removable lithium ion battery having different capacities, that surely depends on how much you have spent to buy your cordless circular saw? expensive individuals come with greater battery backup as compared to in budget ones.
This type of circular saw possesses the same behavior to hard or soft materials like the former.
Read detailed comparison: Corded Vs Cordless Circular Saw
Corded Vs Cordless Circular Saws:
Corded saw is the native shape of a saw. The ultimate difference between corded and cordless saw is the power providing method, the corded circular saw uses power supply outlets to make the motor run unlike cordless saw which gets all of its required energy from a lithium ion battery.
5. Cold Saws
- RUNS ON 220-VOLT SINGLE-PHASE 60HZ POWER: Great for small- to medium-size fabricating shops.
- 2.5 HP MOTOR AND DIRECT-DRIVE GEARBOX: Lets the blade cut material chatter-free, increasing blade life.
- SPINS AT 52 RPM: Cut through solids, tubing, or pipe.
- EUROPEAN-STYLE VISE AND TAPER LOCK SYSTEM: For fast clamping and unclamping to increase production.
- RIGID, CAST IRON BASE: Stabilizes the machine for straight, accurate cuts.
Cold saw is a fixed placed saw. Frequently used for cutting hard metals with more accuracy. A cooling system is attached to the saw which avoids the materials to get hot, it also reduces the sparks to keep the blade and moving assembly cooler in long working instances.
These saws use high speed steel blades or tungsten tipped saw blades. Both of the blades are resharpenable which is very much appreciated by the woodworkers.
6. Abrasive Circular Saws
- Powerful 15 AMP motor delivers 3,800 RPM for superior performance and durability
- Adjustable spark guard designed to divert sparks
- Two-stage lock-off power button for operator convenience
- Fence adjustment up to 45º for accurate angle cuts; adjusts to 3 locations for various material sizes
- Tool-less vice adjustment for quick and easy clamping of material
These saws aren't conventional circular saws as they do not use toothed blades. This tool uses abrasive friction discs. Mostly used for cutting hard materials like ceramics or heavy and thick metals.
Abrasive circular saws have a slight drawback that it makes too much noise and produces heat because it primarily uses friction to cut the materials. Abrasive friction discs create excessive friction with the material, heats it up then softens it later and eventually tears it into parts.
7. Compact Or Mini Circular Saws
- [MORE MANEUVERABILITY] All the functionality of a full-size circular saw but in a compact design that’s easier to use, and...
- [REAR MOTOR] For a more balanced feel. With the motor in the handle, you control much of the weight of the saw with just the palm...
- [EASY DEPTH SETTING] The readily accessible adjustment lever lets you change the cut on the fly, and the bevel adjustment lever...
- [SPINDLE LOCK BUTTON] For quick and safe blade changes. Just grab the included blade key and switch out any brand’s 4-1/2”...
- [IMPROVED BLADE VISIBILITY] The left-handed blade housing allows you to see exactly where you’re cutting, for straighter, more...
As the name states, this variant of circular saws is very munch handheld equipment. Normally used for working at smaller projects.
This saw is not made for longer working times. It is light weighted and fragile, certainly not able to handle the pressure of hard cuttings. It is very good for beginners.
8. Hypoid Circular Saws
- Efficient hypoid gears deliver more power and greater surface contact than conventional worm drive gears.
- Powerful 15 AMP motor for increased productivity.
- Oil bath technology and sealed gear housing for less maintenance.
- 0º - 51.5º bevel capacity with positive stops at 45º and 51.5º is ideal for truss and rafter cut-outs.
- High quality, heat treated hypoid gears are engineered for long lasting performance.
Most advanced and newly formed type of circular saw. It is a tough machine to work with that’s why it is not recommended to newbies. In this saw very high torque is generated. It is mostly used for heavy wooden projects.
This tool is perfect for professional and experienced woodworkers who know how to handle tougher machines and get maximum efficiency.
9. Cordwood Circular Saws
- DEWALT 7 1/4 circular saw is among the lightest saws in its class (8.8 lbs.)
- Electric brake of the corded circular saw stops the blade after trigger is released
- 15 amp motor of the compact circular saw delivers power for even the toughest applications
- 57degree beveling capacity with stops at 45 degree and 22.5 degree
- Depth of cut capacity of 2 9/16 inch
Cordwood saw is the huge member of the circular saw family. It is used to tear up big trees into small pieces, mostly used at log stations; These saws are normally operated with the help of a tractor or a massive dedicated generator.
Unique Power source is a key factor which makes it interesting for log station or sawmills owners.
10. Track Saws
- Track saw with plunge action – provides fast, easy setup for one-step clean finish cuts in wood and wood-based sheet goods such...
- Plunge mechanism – allows for precise plunge cuts with accurate depth of cut
- Single bevel pivot point – when sawing using a track (sold separately), the track can be positioned in the same way for bevel...
- Constant electronics – helps maintain speed under the load of more-demanding applications
- Overload protection – protect the motor from overheating
Whenever there is a need to begin the wood cut from the center, a track saw is best for it , because these saws are best for cutting the wood from the center where the drill machine meets its limitations. Track saws are flexible in workings as it can also be used for long rip cuts across the wood grain by attaching a guide rail with it.
Track saws manufacturers provide guide rail with them. By using which you can make your cuts more easy and clean as it is meant to cut in a straight line, guide rail supports the saw thoroughly to slide across the fence of wooden material.
Track saws are more liked among woodworkers as compared to circular saws. Guide rails make it happen! Users of circular saws need to buy a guide rail or they need to build on their own to work efficiently with circular saws.
11. Miter Saws
- Stainless-steel miter detent plate of 12-inch miter saw blade comes with 14 positive stops
- The mitre saw features the precise miter system and machined base fence support
- Tall sliding fence of DEWALT miter saw supports 5-1/2-inch base vertically
- Bevels 0 degree - 48degree to the left and 0 degree- 3degree to the right. Tool height-15 inch
- 2-inch x 8-inch dimensional lumber cross cut capacity at 90 degree and 2-inch x 6-inch dimensional lumber at 45 degree
Miter saws are all about cross cutting, not about ripping. This type of saw comes with abilities to angle the blade as well as beveling it . The range of angling the blades by various angles may alter from model to model. The most standard and recommended for beginners miter saw models have ability to angle the blade anywhere between 0 to 60 degrees.
There are two further types of miter saw, which are the compound miter saw and chopping miter saw.
Compound Miter Saws:
The miter saws which provide the facility of angling and beveling the blades are called compound miter saws. There comes a revolving adjustment handle which makes it happen.
Chop Miter Saws:
If a miter saw’s blade has the ability to go down toward the bed, some people may refer to it as a chop miter saw. It is used to chop the materials. There is no bevel adjustment involved in this type of saw.
Conclusion
There is a wide range of circular saws types available, according to its functionality. Some types are made for the professionals while few are very good for beginners. All you need to do is, have a great assessment of your woodworking skills and your knowledge of the project that you are attempting, then you are ready to start your work by choosing your desired circular saw types.
That’s All from us for now!
