Woodworking Tips for Using Your Circular Saw

Circular Saw Woodworking Tips

A circular saw is a absolute necessity for a carpenter on a construction site, but there are a number of uses for a circular saw in fine woodworking projects as well. For instance, when used with a straight-edge, a circular saw can cut sheet goods such as plywood as accurately (and with more ease) than a table saw. With special blades, a circular saw can even be used to cut curved shapes. Learn how a circular saw can be used on your fine woodworking projects. 

Circular Saws

While the table saw is probably the most useful power tool for a woodworker, for a carpenter on a job site, the most useful power tool would probably be the circular saw. A quality circular saw can be used for a wide variety of tasks both on a job site and in the wood shop, as the same tool can cross-cut and rip boards, both square to the face and at bevels of up to 45 degrees. Here are some tips to consider when choosing a circular saw.

Circular Saw Measuring Jig

When working in your shop, your table saw is always at the ready for making a variety of cuts quickly and easily. If you are on a construction site, you don't have that luxury. You can, however, make a considerable number of similar cuts on a job site using a circular saw, a straight-edge and a circular saw jig. In this guide, learn how to make a circular saw measuring jig that will let you align your straight-edge to make precision circular saw cuts quickly and easily.

Panel Cutting and Ripping Jigs

The main purpose of a woodworking jig is to make a difficult task easier, safer or easily repeatable. While many commercial woodworking jigs are available on the market, a number of woodworking jigs can be built in the woodshop. Two very useful homemade jigs are used for panel cutting and ripping boards using a circular saw. By following the step-by-step how-to instructions in this article, you can make these jigs and use them on your woodworking projects.

Reciprocating Saws Buying Guide

Saw It All: How to choose a reciprocating saw

If you've never used a reciprocating saw, you might wonder whether you really need one, especially if you have a good circular saw and an assortment of handsaws. But if your project involves any kind of renovation or remodeling work, the answer is an unqualified yes.

With a reciprocating saw, you can quickly cut out old framing and sheathing to make way for new doors and windows, and with the right blade you'll be able to power through pipes, nails, shingles, and wires, sometimes all at once. A true professional's tool, reciprocating saws will get you into places to make cuts that can't be made with any other type of saw.

Saw History: I Came, I Sawzall'd, I Conquered

Back in 1951, the Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation introduced an electric saw that mimicked the back-and-forth motion of a handsaw rather than relying on the rotary cutting action of a circular saw blade. This early Sawzall, as reciprocating saws are still often called, was pretty basic: a metal case containing a 4 amp motor controlled by a simple on/off trigger. I have one of these machines, and it's been a reliable and indestructible companion over the years. But I have to admit that in my heart, I lust after one of the new generation of reciprocating saws: they're more powerful; they have bigger strokes (the distance traveled by the blade); they provide more strokes per minute, so that they cut faster; and they offer features that give them more precision and versatility like variable speeds and orbital action.