Power Tools
Best Circular Saw for Beginners
Long gone are the times when manually cutting wood was the only way in woodworking tasks. Luckily though, it is now easier thanks to the invention of circular saws. With this handy tool, woodcutting jobs are now more manageable. These electric saws are standard in deck building jobs, although they can also work in metal jobs and masonry-but only if you have the right saw.
If you are a beginner seeking to get yourself a circular saw, don’t fret-this is just the guide for you! These are the best circular saws for beginners, so do read on and what to look for when buying one.
1. Best Circular Blade: Makita 7-1/4-Inch (5007mg Magnesium) Saw
The unique Makita model is the epitome of durability and heavy-duty power. Ideally, it features a solid construct and RPM speed of 5800, bringing instability and accuracy for all your projects.
This circular saw has a larger cutting capacity (2 ½ inches). It comes with a distinctive Magnesium shoe designed to keep the tool steady and safe even for beginners with no experience with the tool.
Furthermore, it comes with LED lights to serve as the cutting guide promoting ease of use and accuracy, and it also comes with an easy-to-change disc because of the attached blade wrench.
Finally, the Makita tool features a decent bevel capacity (56 degrees) with 22.5 and 45-degree positive stops. And while it is pretty heavy (10.6 pounds), it is robust and can handle even the most demanding tasks.
2. Best Cordless Option: Skil Pwrcore 20 Brushless Circular Saw
As a beginner, what better way to enjoy your new art than to get yourself a convenient circular saw that you could carry along any time? Well, lucky for you, Skil has got you covered with their cool cordless PWRCORE 20 Skil circular saw.
In essence, this tool combines multiple features like a unique electric brake system, 0-50 degree bevel capacity, brushless (digital) motor, and a fast charge lithium battery for ease of use, power, and convenience.
Besides this, it features a cooling material in its lithium battery that improves battery conservation even during somewhat challenging tasks. Since it is a 20V series model, Skil allows you to interchange this cordless saw’s batteries with like power tools. This model also makes blade swapping simpler because of its exclusive spindle lock.
You will also like its ability to enhance productivity courtesy of its electric brake that allows you to perform continuous cuts with few pauses and an LED unit for added accuracy even in some dimly lit workstations.
Lastly, it comes with a 50-degree bevel capacity, brushless (digital) motor that minimizes vibrations to reduce user fatigue. And while it has a reasonably small 6 ½ inch blade, this is a decent and standard diameter for cordless saws.
3. Most Compact Option: Dewalt Dwe575sb (Electric Brake) 7-1/4-Inch Saw
Yet another incredible tool suited for beginners is the DWE575SB Dewalt circular saw. Compact and fitted with a 15-amp motor, this saw is designed to ease your workload with its unique integrated dust blower and electric break. Ideally, you can run your tasks accurately, safely, and, most importantly, promptly with these features.
This circular saw comes with a 5200 RPM complemented by 1950-watts for tremendous cutting power. Better yet, with a weight of 8.8 pounds, this cutting tool is lightweight and suitable for any beginner looking to move back and forth in between their projects.
What's more, it boasts a 2.55-inch cut depth of 90 degrees plus two (22.5 and 45 degrees) bevel stops with a 57-degree bevel capacity. Finally, this tool has a (7 ¼-inch) carbide-tipped blade and a convenient transport bag.
4. Cost-Friendly Option: Skil 5280-01 15-Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
The Skil circular saw is both a budget and beginner-friendly option that comes with an accuracy-boosting laser guide for cuts and a spindle lock to allow easy blade changes.
This lightweight product weighs only 6.95 pounds, making it ideal for simple tasks, and considering its carbide-tipped blade, it works for most DIY and wood material tasks. Furthermore, with a 6-foot cord and 5/8 inch arbor, this saw is just the ideal option to kick-start your woodcutting adventure.
With a 5300 RPM powered by a 15-amp motor together with a unique blower, you not only enjoy its distinctive cutting power but also proper dust management in your working station. Its 51-degree bevel capacity, a 45-degree positive stop, and onboard wrench enhance its speed and disc-swapping capacity.
Finally, you needn't accidental start-ups mainly due to its guarded trigger with this tool.
Factors You Should Consider When Buying a Circular Saw
When buying your power tool, you should know several vital tips before the purchase, as they will aid you in choosing the ideal tool. Here are some of the factors you should consider:
Blade Size
The diameter classifies circular saw blades they cover when cutting materials and sizes. The best option is a circular saw that can cut across materials that are over 3 inches. Consider going for a tool that is easy to operate-the best option is the automatic circular saw that is electric-powered as it simplifies the cutting job for you.
Durability
When buying your circular saw, you should go for a tool that lasts long and offers optimal performance while mandating minimal maintenance. Ensure that the saw is built using durable and robust material. Moreover, composite and magnesium shoe/plate adds durability to your saw and boosts its stability.
Speed
Speed in circular saws represents the saw's blade no-load speed and is calculated in rotations per minute (RPM). Ideally, standard circular saws range between 5300-5800 RPM, with the only disparity being that faster cutting speeds represent more productivity and promote ease of use.
Final Word
If you are a beginner wondering how or where to start when choosing the right tools, these few factors and options outlined above are an excellent place to start. Typically, you should buy a circular saw if you want to get into any DIY projects, work in wood construction, or any other handy task since they are valuable and versatile.
The right circular saw is a fantastic beginner tool since its learning curve is pretty slight, although its capacity increases as you gain more experience. Take your pick from any of the tools mentioned above, and you will be completing your tasks in virtually no time.
Good Luck!
