Power Tools Use and Safety – Circular Saws

Circular saws are the workhorses of any construction job but you have to know how to use them correctly to get the best out of them.

Before you even begin always get the saw up to full speed before you bring it into the timber. Then, let the saw do the cutting. If you haven’t completed a cut but find you need to move the saw just bring it back about 50mm from the leading edge, bring it up to full speed and then slowly bring it in. Always keep two hands on the saw at all times because they are powerful machines and when they grab they can kick quite violently.

Changing the blade on a power saw is very straightforward. Unplug the saw then spin the blade and when it goes into the divet that means the blade is locked off.

Hold it correctly and make sure you have the right blade for the type of material you are cutting, and that the blade is sharp. Set the cutting blade to no more than a ¼ inch thickness of the wood to be cut – this helps reduce the chances of kickbacks. And don’t force the saw to cut, just push it slightly and let the saw do its job. Most importantly, make sure the blade stops before you grab the wood.

You’ll find that Circular Saws glide through timber in seconds and can be fitted with an assortment of blades that rip through everything, from nail-embedded wood to concrete blocks and bricks. But always make sure you are completely familiar with this tool before undertaking any job.

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