The Mighty Skill Saw Another name for the skill saw is the circular saw. This saw is very helpful for the homeowner, the handyman, and the carpenter/woodworker. It is a very popular and handy saw among many to complete a wide range of jobs. The saw itself can be mounted on a table or hand held. The choice is up to the person. Another choice is that the saws can be purchased to be run by either electric or battery. If the battery operated saw is used it is very important that the correct battery is being used. The skill saw has a metal toothed blade or disc. There are many different blades made to fit most needs. The blades can cut wood, metal, drywall, and masonry. The saw can make sharp rep cuts, cross cuts, and narrow slots. Each saw is equipped with a blade guard. This guard should be used at all times. The blades used should always be sharp and the right size. A skill saw can be dangerous if it is not used properly. There are many different models of skill saws on the market. The amount of torque that each motor provides makes the difference in the models. The two that are used the most are the worm drive and the side winder. On the worm drive the motor will be found in line with the blade. The blade is positioned on the opposite side to that of the side winder motor. This allows the user to see the line they have marked without having to look over the saw, thus allowing for better accuracy. If the blade is on the left side, it is easier to cut small strips on an edge. When cutting in a downhill position the weight of the worm drive pushes it making the cutting a lot easier. When cutting above the head, the double handle on a worm drive makes the work easier. The worm drive is very durable and powerful thus is used by many carpenters and woodworkers. The side winder is a good saw for the homeowner or someone that uses it occasionally. The side winder is much easier to handle than the worm drive as it is much lighter. 1
On the side winder the drive motor is positioned on either side of the blade. The drive shaft for the blade is powered by a motor. The cutting rpm of a side winder is increased over a worm drive as the blade is in line with the drive gear. This increase could be as much as 2000 rpm’s. You should read and follow the safety rules that come with the saw. Goggles are recommended to be worn while using a skill saw. There are many makes of skill saw on the market and they can be found at hardware stores, and businesses such as Sears, Walmart, and Home Depot. The prices of these saws vary also, so you just need to shop around and find the saw that fits your needs. Owen Jones, the author of this article writes on quite a few topics, but is currently involved with Jet Power Tools. If you would like to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our website at Woodworking Power Tools.