When choosing a circular saw for your home or garden, you should consider a number of parameters. The presence of a circular saw will allow you to process wood, spending much less effort and achieving better results compared to using hand tools such as a saw or hacksaw. Circular saws are available in a wide price range and differ in technical characteristics and functionality. Among this variety you need to make a choice.

The best option for a circular saw for a home or cottage is its manual modification. Hand-held power tools are capable of processing:

• Wood of any density;
• Wood-derived lumber (fibreboard, chipboard, MDF, etc.);
• Polymer blanks (plastic);
• Some types of metal, etc.

However, the circular saw is not designed for cutting:

• Concrete;
• Brick;
• Plasters.

When performing a straight cut, the design must meet two main requirements. You need to rely on them when making a choice in favor of one or another circular.

1. Precise settings. You must be able to adjust the equipment as precisely as possible to produce a high-quality, accurate and even cut.
2. Safety. Working with a circular saw should not pose any potential danger to your health. For this purpose, the design and electronics of the circular saw provide appropriate solutions.

Circular device

If we take the example of the simplest circular saw for working at home or in a summer cottage, the device will consist of the following main structural components:

• Circular saw body (metal, plastic or a combination of both);
• Electric circular motor of varying power;
• Circular gearbox;
• Protective housing of the device;
• Working platform;
• Circular saw guide units.

The choice of a circular saw should be based on the selection of optimal technical characteristics, basic parameters and auxiliary capabilities.

Let’s move on directly to how you can independently choose the appropriate version of a circular saw for your dacha or home.

Nuances of choice

The choice of circulars is made based on three main criteria:

• Equipment class;
• Technical characteristics of the device;
• Additional features of the circular.

You should go through each of the points separately in order to understand in more detail the nuances of buying a circular saw.

Class

The class of a circular saw is determined depending on two parameters.

1. The diameter of the working disk and the maximum cutting depth.
2. Power of the electric motor installed on the circular saw.

The rating of the leaders in the circular saw segment is largely compiled on the basis of these characteristics, since they are decisive in determining the capabilities of a power tool. Moreover, each rating focuses on certain parameters, leaving others unattended.

Depending on the diameter of the saw wheel and its maximum depth of insertion into the workpiece, there are three classes of circular saws.

1. Household circular circular class. It is recommended for those who have to process sheet lumber to choose such saws for their home or cottage. Household models are designed for a maximum cutting depth of 40-50 millimeters.
2. Semi-professional class of circular saws. A universal class of miter saws that tops more than one rating. The functionality of the equipment allows you to process almost all types of workpieces with a cutting depth of up to 65 millimeters.
3. Professional class circulars. This hand tool is capable of sawing to a depth of up to 140 millimeters.

For a dacha or home, it is not always wise to choose a tool that can cut to the maximum depth. Working at home, you can easily cut thick material with a circular saw on both sides. Therefore, depth is not a fundamental criterion. For cutting at home, you can get by with a tool that can penetrate the workpiece to a depth of up to 60 millimeters.

Another principle for classifying circular saws is based on the power of the installed electric motor. Depending on it, there are three classes of devices.

1. Domestic. This version of the hand saw has a motor with a power of up to 800 W.
2. Semi-professional. This category includes saws with power from 800 to 1200 W.
3. Professional. This class is characterized by engines with a minimum power of 1.2 kW.

Specifications

When choosing a circular saw for work at home, you should pay special attention to the following technical aspects.

• Circular saw blade rotation speed. This parameter is directly related to the power of the installed electric motor. The speed of rotation of the saw wheel depends on the accuracy, accuracy and quality of cutting a workpiece from a particular material. If we are talking about pressed material, then it is recommended to choose a tool that has a maximum rotation speed;
• Circular saw blade. On most hand-held circular saws used at home, the seat diameter for the saw blade is 30 millimeters. At the same time, there are models with 16 and 32 millimeters. This point is worth paying attention to, since you will inevitably have to buy new wheels. The rotation speed and depth of penetration of the circle into the processed material depend on the outer diameter of the disk. The outer diameter varies between 150-260 mm. For household use of a low-power circular device, the smallest disk is suitable. Discs with a diameter of 200 mm can satisfy almost all household needs. Some circles can be sharpened. Other discs will have to be replaced when they wear out. To sharpen the disc, a special machine is used. Or you can sharpen the working wheel by contacting a specialized workshop;
• Angled saw cut. The vast majority of modern circular saws are equipped with a bevel cutting function. It varies from 30 to 55 degrees. Therefore, when the rating is compiled, experts no longer pay so much attention to this parameter. But for working from home, the lack of an incline can negatively affect work productivity and the tasks available to complete;
• Ergonomic parameters. Ergonomics is the convenience of the master himself when working with the device. This is an individual parameter that is focused on the user’s personal preferences. Let's just say that very heavy hand tools will not allow you to work for a long time without breaks. Plus, look at the handles so that they are covered with special anti-slip rubber;
• Cable. It is recommended to choose a model that comes with a cable of at least 3 meters in length.

Additional functionality

1. Electronics. It increases the cost of the tool, but expands its functionality, allows you to control and adjust operating parameters, and also extends the service life of the tool. Among the electronic components, we recommend choosing a soft start system, overload protection, speed control and speed maintenance. The choice of a laser pointer is not relevant for professionals, but for beginners it significantly helps to cut smoother.
2. Changing disks. Older models of circular saws use a system for replacing the circle by using a pair of keys. This is long and quite inconvenient. The best option is a modern fixation based on a fastening device on the shaft.
3. Rechargeable battery. Its presence allows you to work with a circular saw at a distance from the nearest power supply. At the same time, batteries are limited in terms of battery life. If you require such functionality, it is better to choose a circular battery with a maximum battery capacity and buy two of them at once. While one is working, the other will be charging.

Choosing circular saws is not difficult if you approach this issue wisely.

Construction and renovation may require cutting up quite a lot of wood. Naturally, doing this manually with mechanical tools is very inconvenient and time-consuming. The real salvation in this case will be the best electric circular saws, which we have collected in one rating. Here you can get acquainted with their advantages and disadvantages, and, based on the results, choose the most suitable option for yourself in terms of purpose, price and characteristics.

The TOP of the best in this area consists of 5 brands that are popular both in Europe and overseas. The products of these companies are in high demand in the market, but the price range is different for everyone. Here are the companies we are talking about:

• Interskol– this is not the first time that this Russian manufacturer has appeared on the market of power tools for construction and repair. It simply provides a huge selection, and at very affordable prices. Its products collect numerous positive user reviews due to the optimal ratio of cost and quality.
• BOSCH is a German company, whose products, in fact, are not much ahead of the products of the same Interskol, but at the same time they cost several times more. Its assortment includes several types of models - circular manual and cutting. All of them have good performance, many of them are successfully used on large construction sites.
• Hitachi is a Japanese manufacturer of power tools and gas-powered equipment, including some of the best drills. A considerable percentage of her collections are made up of circular saws. They successfully compete in terms of cutting depth with competitors from this rating, offering immersion of the disc into the wood by more than 8 cm. And there are plenty of very powerful devices here, there are also those that operate at 2000 W.
• BISON– this company can be considered a direct competitor of Interskol; it also supplies the market with high-quality equipment for repairs and construction work. The company has a good reputation among customers and its products are well represented in stores.
• Makita is another Japanese manufacturer of power tools in our ranking, including electric circular saws, and it is also one of the oldest in the world. The company was founded in the early 1900s, and today it is a large production facility that supplies quality products to various parts of the world.

Rating of the best circular saws

When compiling it, we relied primarily on what was written in the reviews. A very important indicator was the frequency of complaints about breakdowns, opinions about the ease of use and performance of the tools. Therefore, we analyzed all the advantages and disadvantages of the best electric circular saws, as well as their characteristics:

• Engine power (1200-1700 W is considered a good indicator);
• Type of power supply (from mains or batteries, as well as the length of the cord if available);
• Angle and depth of cut, possibility of their adjustment;
• Tool weight and dimensions;
• Ergonomics;
• Rotation speed and disk diameter;
• Additional functions (backlight, engine braking, etc.).

The best circular saws

In this rating, as you already understood, both models from domestic and foreign manufacturers are presented, and we have selected the five most useful circular electric saws. Among them there are both options for home use and professional tools.

Interskol DP-165/1200

In appearance, this is an ordinary circular electric saw with not so bright characteristics - the cutting depth barely exceeds 50 mm. The situation is improved by a disk rotation speed of 4700 rpm and excellent power ratings (1200 W). With such data, it is possible to dissolve almost any type of wood in 1-2 passes. It also helps that there is a button for adjusting the depth and angle of the cut. The long 4-meter cord deserves special attention here.

Advantages:

• Price;
• Ease of use;
• Good “sole”;
• Comfortable;
• Excellent proppant;
• It cuts perfectly both across and along the grain.

Flaws:

• Inflexibility of the power cord;
• There is no soft start, which increases the likelihood of overheating and breakdowns.

Despite its rather considerable weight, Interskol DP-165/1200 can be easily used even with one hand.

I would immediately like to draw your attention to the fact that in terms of characteristics, this manual circular-type model is in many ways similar to other options in this rating, but at the same time it costs 2 times more. Perhaps the only thing that makes it stand out is the engine braking function, which protects both the workpiece from damage and the operator from injury.

Operating at 1400 watts and spinning at 5500 rpm, it's clearly aimed at professionals. The tool is quite wear-resistant due to the metal base plate and can withstand production conditions of varying complexity. Experience shows that with this circular saw you do not need to worry about the cleanliness of the cut, since there is a turbo blowing option.

Advantages:

• Smooth and clean cut;
• Power is great;
• Automatic protective cover;
• Adjustment of the disc angle;
• Doesn't overheat;
• Accessories.

Flaws:

• Large scatter of sawdust;
• The cord gets twisted, you need to be careful not to accidentally cut it;
• Weight – 4.2 kg, this is not much, but also a lot, because there are much lighter specimens in the rating.

The BOSCH GKS 190 model works more efficiently with wet timber, but dry timber at a depth of 7 cm may need to be passed through 2 or even 3 times.

This is one of the most practical circular saws in our rating, which can be used for cutting different types of wood. It has excellent performance, working quite quickly and efficiently, without a lot of sawdust, at a power of 1050 W. There are no complaints in the reviews about ease of use due to the low noise level and the additional handle. Separately, I would like to note the possibility of adjusting the angle when unraveling the material. But the most important thing is that it cuts fiberboard, chipboard and other materials with virtually no chips.

Advantages:

• Cutting depth;
• Inexpensive;
• Low vibration level;
• Rigid wire, which minimizes twisting;
• Comfortable grip.

Flaws:

• No soft start;
• Flimsy design of the tilt mechanism;
• Complaints about the rear bearing;
• Unreliable platform.

Reviews show that those who plan to cut boards not only lengthwise, but also crosswise, may need another saw, since the blade either gets stuck or makes the edges uneven. If it is necessary to dissolve the tree in one pass, you can count on cutting a maximum of 7 cm, and in this case the tool will have to be held at an angle of 90 degrees.

Judging by the power of 1600 W, this electric saw can claim, if not the title of professional, then certainly for use for quickly cutting large amounts of wood. Its inclusion in this rating in this capacity was also facilitated by the maximum cutting depth of 6.4 cm, which also speeds up the work. At the same time, the disk rotation speed here is far from the highest - 4500 rpm.

The strengths of this, one of the best electric circular saws, also include the protection of the operator with a safety guard. But there are some negative aspects here, which include, first of all, the lack of additional functions - backlighting, soft start, automatic engine braking. But for an average of 2,600 rubles, it’s somehow strange to want more.

Advantages:

• Good power (1300 W);
• Price;
• Doesn't lead to the side;
• Easy opening of the protection, without jamming;
• Depth of cut.

Flaws:

• Small chips are possible;
• It is periodically possible that the second wing may unwind under the influence of vibration;
• Fast heating.

BISON ZPD-1600, despite some disadvantages, can still safely be called the best of the inexpensive electric saws.

In terms of characteristics, only good things can be said about this model - it passes through fiberboard and chipboard, wood without any problems. Precise and even cutting is ensured by adjusting the cutting depth and tilt angle. Working with it is not only effective, but also comfortable - the backlight allows you to do this even in poor light, and the comfortable handle prevents you from getting tired. It does not claim to be the most ergonomic model, and it weighs 5.1 kg, but for short work the model will be just right.

Advantages:

• Turns like a machine;
• Excellent torque;
• Magnesium casing and “sole”;
• Engine protection by metal grille;
• Soft start;
• Fits securely in the hand;
• A high-quality cord that is not afraid of frost or high temperatures.

Flaws:

• "Noisy";
• The guide bracket is too flexible;
• Not universal;
• Uneconomical consumption of electricity;
• Tendency to overheat in hot weather.

In general, the Makita 5008MG seems ideal, but there is one “but” - we recommend working with it only using personal protective equipment for the eyes, since chips can get into them - it cuts wood so actively. We also advise you to stock up on earplugs due to the high noise level.

Which circular saw is better to buy?

The cable length here should be from 3 m, this will allow you to work with the tool without carrying it. It is also desirable that the device be equipped with a soft start, which prevents overheating and reduces the load on the electrical network. Also, to avoid this, it is necessary that one or another model has overload protection.

If you plan to cut large volumes of wood and thick beams, you cannot do without professional models, the blade of which can penetrate to a depth of 65-140 mm. In other cases, products with lower performance are sufficient. The most optimal rotation speed is from 4000 to 6000 rpm.

Summing up this rating of the best electric circular saws, it is worth saying that among the inexpensive ones, the most acceptable options here will be circular models from domestic manufacturers. They have the best ratio of quality and price. The rest of the units are also very good, but you need to understand that their high cost is often associated only with the popularity of the brand, a particularly striking example of this is BOSCH.

It is difficult to imagine construction work without cutting any materials. In everyday life, at the dacha or on a personal plot, you cannot do without an automatic saw. With proper equipment and use of equipment, labor productivity increases significantly.

An important element of any saw is the disc. The correct choice of this consumable material determines the speed and quality of product processing, the amount of defects and waste, as well as the safety of the performer and others.

Is it possible to choose a universal saw blade?

Choosing a saw blade is almost a science. At the same time, many parameters should be taken into account and the characteristics of different models should be compared. If you have no experience, then it would be better to seek advice from a specialist. At the same time, it is not always possible to get really necessary information from saw blade sellers. It is better to entrust the choice to a professional who has the skills to cut various materials on a circular saw.

Why is it so important not to make the wrong choice of disk? First of all, a competent approach to purchasing is required for safety reasons. Circular saws occupy a leading position in the number of accidents at work. Such statistics can be changed if each performer and organizer of construction work takes a more responsible approach to the question: “How to choose the right saw blade?”

Some are trying in every possible way to save on consumables and are looking for “universal” saw blades. But, in fact, there are none. It is impossible to choose a saw blade that would perform equally well in cutting hard/soft wood, metal or various composites. The disk is selected to solve a specific problem. Of course, this approach involves an increase in the cost of work, but this is justified by an increase in speed, quality and safety.

For example, blades with negative tooth angles fit under miter saws and provide clean cross cuts. But they cannot be used for sawing tables (longitudinal cutting) - such discs create the effect of “repulsion” of the workpiece, increasing vibration and resistance of the material. Saw blades with teeth at a negative angle usually have small interdental spaces and a large number of teeth. Sawdust quickly gets clogged into these recesses, which increases the load on the engine.

Basic criteria for selecting disks

The cutting tool has certain characteristics, dimensions, purpose, parameters and properties of the material from which the disc is made.

So, what criteria should you pay attention to?

Disk type. All saw blades are divided into two categories: solid and carbide.

Monolithic saw blades are made of solid metal - high-carbon or high-speed steel. Cutting tools of this type can have two configurations:

• the teeth are sharp like a hacksaw - suitable for cross/longitudinal finishing cuts in soft and hard wood;
• curved teeth with a wide back - suitable for working with soft wood.

The disadvantages of monolithic disks include:

• dull quickly enough;
• require periodic teeth setting and sharpening.

The blade of the disc can withstand several regrinds. Usually monolithic specimens have many teeth. An additional advantage of the discs is their affordable cost.

Carbide saw blades are considered more reliable. They are made of durable tool steel. The discs are reinforced with soldering containing a high amount of cobalt and tungsten carbides. These discs are most in demand due to a number of advantages:

• allow cutting many building materials;
• there is no need to set the teeth;
• reliable and durable;
• the period of work from sharpening to sharpening is significantly higher than that of their monolithic counterparts;
• the result is a cleaner cut;
• high cutting speed;
• The construction market offers a wide range of discs for performing various tasks.

However, two disadvantages should be noted:

• difficulty of sharpening - special equipment is required;
• relative high cost.

O.D. This parameter is determined by the internal size of the saw casing. A blade with large dimensions simply will not fit on a saw with a small diameter protective casing. Using a diameter that is too small may have undesirable consequences.

The outer diameter directly affects the cutting depth. The cutting speed does not depend on this parameter. For hand-held circulation saws, the dimensions of the cutting tool are about 130-250 mm.

Important! The more the disk blade is immersed in the material, the more significant the load on the engine. The optimal protrusion of the teeth above the material being cut is no more than 10-20 mm.

Inner Fit Diameter. An important safety condition is the strong fastening of the “cutter”. The saw blade must fit tightly onto the seat pin.

Typical bore diameter dimensions: 16/20/22/30/32 mm. Some models of discs are equipped with additional side recesses for narrow pins to enhance fixation.

Number of teeth. All types of saw blades can be conditionally classified into three groups according to the number of teeth:

• 80-90 pcs. - a large number of incisors;
• 40-80 pcs. - average number of incisors;
• 10-40 pcs. - small number of incisors.

The choice of this parameter depends on the tasks at hand. For cross cutting, it is better to use discs with the maximum number of teeth. Longitudinal cutting is best done with a “cutter” with a small number of teeth (up to 60).

Shape of teeth. The configuration of the cutters has a significant impact on the quality of the cut. The shape is selected according to the material that is being breaded. The most popular wood saw blade with variable teeth - they are suitable for cutting any type of wood and have an optimal price/quality ratio.

Tooth inclination. This criterion is determined by the deviation of the cutting edge surface from the radius of the saw blade. A negative inclination angle is a deviation towards the back side of the tooth blade. Positive - deviation in the opposite direction.

The angle of inclination of the tooth is divided into:

• 5-15° - standard tilt;
• 15-20° - aggressive (positive) tilt;
• from 0° to -5° - normal (negative) deviation.

Teeth with a positive inclination are recommended for longitudinal sawing - during the cutting process, the material is captured and the disc hits the workpiece. This speeds up the overall cutting of the workpiece. A negative bevel slows down the work process somewhat, but leaves a clean cut. Saw blades for metal have teeth with zero inclination.

Thickness of the canvas. The parameter depends on the operating mode and determines the width of the cut. Typical size - 3.2 mm.

A thin blade is more often used for cutting valuable types of wood. A standard and thicker saw blade is suitable for rougher materials. Blades with a thickness of 3.2 mm and more have saw blades for aluminum and laminate.

When discussing how to choose a saw blade, you should remember that thin blades use material sparingly, but are less strong and durable. Thick discs have a longer service life, but make less accurate cuts.

Disk design. The disk surface itself can provide the necessary information about the quality of the product. A good disc is made by laser cutting, computer balanced and ground separately. Signs of such processing are noticeable if you look at the disk in the light. The marks from the grinding tool radiate in circles from the internal hole - this means that the “cutter” was ground, balanced and calibrated after cutting the metal.

Advice. If the discs show signs of rough processing and roughness, then it is better to refuse to purchase it. Such a specimen will become very hot during operation, and the teeth will quickly become dull.

The disk blade must contain compensation temperature slots. There are grooves at the ends of the slots. These elements reduce saw noise, harmful vibrations and the heating temperature of the blade itself. Rounded holes at the moment of loading under the primary dynamic pressure of the teeth reduce the risk of blade breakage.

Fabric marking. Manufacturers of high-quality discs mark their products with a laser, not paint. The inscription should not be erased after long-term use of the saw blade, since the information contained may be needed not only during purchase, but also during maintenance.

The disc label displays:

• thickness of the canvas;
• outer/mounting diameter of the disk;
• number of teeth;
• number of disk revolutions;
• tooth configuration icon;
• disc series.

Important! The permissible number of disk revolutions must exceed the maximum permissible speed of the saw spindle.

How tooth configuration affects cutting quality

There are many variations in tooth shapes. All of them are designed to perform a specific task:

Saw blades for wood: features of choice

When choosing a saw blade for wood, you need to take into account additional parameters:

• type of working tool used: angle grinder or circular saw;
• cutting: longitudinal or transverse;
• thickness of processed wood;
• wood species

Depending on the material, the optimal sawing speed is selected:

• 50-90 m/s - soft wood;
• 50-80 m/s - hard wood;
• 80-85 m/s - exotic tree species;
• 60-80 m/s - joinery wood, chipboard;
• 40-60 m/s - laminate panels with one- or two-sided coating;
• 30-60 m/s - MDF.

Additional tips:

1. Carbide discs with scoring knives are used for machines with automatic wood feeding.
2. Discs with straight, variable teeth and an inclination of 10° are used for two-shaft and single-shaft machines if the wood moisture content is no more than 15°.
3. Discs with variable teeth with a negative angle are suitable for hand tools. This option provides high-quality cutting (transverse) of solid wet or dried wood.

Review of popular saw blade manufacturers

A wide range of saw blades is offered by domestic and foreign manufacturers. The products of the following companies are in particular demand: Makita, Bosch, Zubr, Freud, Intertul, Werk, etc.

Corporation Makita(Japan) has specialized in the manufacture of power tools and components since 1915. The company has branches for production, sales and service in more than 100 countries. All products are distinguished by durability, accuracy and ease of use.

Makita saw blades are available in 13 different categories. Main types of disks:

• MFors - double beveled tooth equipped with a clear M-shaped cutting edge;
• MacFors - discs designed for different models of hand saws;
• MacBladePlus - the blade has a special coating that provides smooth cutting, low friction and effective protection against resin and corrosion;
• specialized blades for cordless saws;
• disks for wood with nails and knots;
• metal cutters - in particular for stainless steel, aluminum;
• special discs for circular saws;
• saw blades for composite materials, multilayer panels;
• discs for laminate.

Saw blades demonstrate high performance and proven quality Bosch. Tools are divided into four groups:

Russian manufacturer " Bison» supplies the domestic and world markets with a wide range of high-quality tools and accessories, including saw blades. The company has developed 8 series of discs. Of these, 4 groups are “Master” categories and 4 are “Expert” categories.

Saw blades "Master":

• “Quick cut” - for rough rough and very fast cuts of wood;
• “Optimal cut” - clean and fast cuts of chipboard, MDF, adhesive boards, plywood, hard/soft wood; tooth shape - ATV cutters with variable angle;
• “Clean cut” - provides smooth cuts in wood, adhesive boards, chipboard and MDF, lined with plastic, veneer, paper or film;
• “Precise multi-cut” - the saw blade is designed for working on laminate, aluminum, plastic and non-ferrous metal; shape - TCG teeth with negative slope.

Freud saw blades have the following properties:

• cloth with hardness 45 units. (Rockwell scale);
• compensation slots are laser cut;
• discs are made of special hard alloy;
• Tri-metal solder technology was used in production;
• presence of a tension ring;
• The saws underwent dynamic balancing, as well as control of runout in the axial and radial directions.

When buying a saw blade, be sure to take into account the characteristics of a circular saw:

• maximum speed;
• engine power;
• internal size of the protective casing;
• mounting size on the motor shaft.

The choice of tooth configuration depends on the engine power. A negative slope and a large number of teeth will create a significant load on the engine - the equipment will have to operate in “peak” mode, which is extremely undesirable.

Spindle speed and number of revolutions are related to the size of the saw blade. When purchasing, you should check that these parameters meet the requirements specified by the disk manufacturer.

It is not advisable to use discs for pendulum miter saws for circulation and hand-held machines. If the level of axial or radial runout of the machine is high enough, then you should not install an expensive disk on it.