subject: Be Careful With Circular Saws. [print this page] A saw should be the first purchase for someone with a woodworking hobby.
A basic piece of equipment that has a variety of uses is a circular saw. Test out different types before you buy. The most important thing to remember when choosing a saw is that you must be able to control the instrument at all times. If the handle sits at an uncomfortable position, it will put you at a disadvantage. Most saw handles are designed for right-handed users, but if you're left-handed you can get a model with a different grip.
Power saws get their juice from either an electrical outlet or a battery. Once the switch is turned on, the motor engages a metal shaft that spins at a high rate of speed. The round blade is very sharp.
Circular saws come in three main styles: worm drive, direct drive, and battery powered.
Worm saws are more easily controlled, and accurate. It's commonly known as a skill saw based on the name of the original company, but it now comes in several brands.
Worm-drive circular saws are anything but feather-weight. This can be a positive or a negative depending on your size and strength. In order to control this saw, a woodworker must be able to control the equipment. They can weight as much as fourteen pounds, but this is also why it cuts a easily cuts through a thick piece of wood. Some proponents of this saw believe it is safer than its counterparts because the blade and handle are designed far apart. This also gives you a longer reach.
Direct drive saws are usually smaller than worm-drive saws. These may also be called sidewinders, because of how the blade connects to the motor. There are direct drive saws for both right and left handed users.
Battery-powered cordless circular saws used to be a good choice for smaller jobs when you're working too far from an electrical source. But with more powerful batteries - 18 to 24 volts - that keep the charge for several hours, the convenience of not having to lug around a power cord has become a major attraction.
Two batteries are included in most cordless kits, so you never run out of power. You can charge one battery before the other runs out.
A cordless saw is slightly heavier than a direct drive saw, weighing about twelve pounds.
