CIRCULAR SAW

IN OUR NEW SERIES, WE SHOWCASE THE ITEMS YOU NEED IN YOUR TOOLBOX. IN THIS ISSUE, WE DISCOVER THE TRUE CAPABILITIES OF THIS POWERFUL AND VERSATILE DIY MUST-HAVE

Words GUN ARVIDSSEN

Stock your workshop with a few power essentials, and you’ll never be at a loose end when you need to repair or upgrade something. Whether you’re planning to cut decking, build furniture or take on a project such as a pergola, a circular saw is the perfect tool.

Cutting edge

Most mains-powered saws for DIYers are in the 184mm class – they take a 184mm-diameter blade. Some specialised saws, such as Ozito’s plunge track saw kit, use a different-size blade (165mm), while larger units – used by tradies – are fitted with a 235mm blade. Cordless circular saws popularly use 165mm blades, but some have smaller blades as well as 184mm blades. Many saws have a maximum (or no-load) speed of 4000-5800rpm (revolutions per minute). However, a larger blade circumference means the cutting edge travels more quickly relative to what you’re cutting, so high-diameter blades tend to remove more material smoothly and swiftly.

Blades are made from hardened steel, with tungsten carbide teeth. A higher tooth count of around 60 teeth gives the cut edge a smoother finish. However, it takes longer to cut through than a general-purpose 24-tooth blade. Specialised blades for cutting metal and fibre cement sheet can also be fitted by tradies and expert DIYers. When changing the blade, Bunnings power tools buyer Mike Jaggs says to put safety first. “The number one rule is to remove the power source,” he says. “Unplug the unit or remove the battery.

Ensure you follow the manual and check out the many videos online. Finally, new blades can be sharp, so it pays to wear gloves during removal and installation.”

Power and glory

Corded circular saws vary in power from 1200W to 2050W. Unless you plan to do lots of cutting at maximum depth through thick hardwood, a saw in the 1200-1500W range should be sufficient.

Brushless technology means some high-end cordless saws can operate at similar power levels to 1800W corded saws. But generally, cordless saws are more for portability than to tackle long cuts through thick, hard timber.

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Mains-powered saws are loud, so invest in earmuffs – some feature bluetooth so you can enjoy music while working. Protect your eyes with safety glasses or goggles, and plug in a portable vacuum to suck up most of the sawdust your tool creates. Even small amounts of fine airborne particles – especially from cutting materials such as particleboard, MDF or melamine – can be harmful to your health, so wear a dust mask, too. 4 5 6

1 Makita 18V 165mm brushless circular saw, $378/skin only (battery and charger sold separately), I/N: 6240314.

2 3M ‘WorkTunes’ bluetooth ear muffs, $117.30, I/N: 0095130. 3 AEG ‘Fusion’ 18V 184mm circular saw, $408/skin only, I/N: 0317131. 4 Irwin 184mm 60T circular saw blade, $43.98, I/N: 0172626. 5 Diablo ‘Steel Demon’ 165mm 48T ferrous metals circular saw blade, $73, I/N: 6370900. 6 Tactix P2 respirator, $49.98/pack of 20, IN: 0380437.

Keep

in mind…

n When using power tools, always wear the recommended safety gear.

n Before starting any DIY activity with power tools, make sure you have the appropriate skills for the task at hand and use the correct tools for the job.