A summer resident, gardener or builder cannot do without a circular saw. This compact yet powerful power tool lets you cut wood and plywood, plastics, laminate and even aluminum. In this material we will tell you how to choose a circular saw, and at the same time we will offer you our independent Top 10 best circular saws.
CONTENT
- 1 Choosing a circular saw: what to look for
- 2 Top 10 best circular saws
- 3 FAQ
Choosing a circular saw: what to look for
A type. Circular saws can be hand-held, stationary and combined. The first is a device quite familiar to us with a circular saw as a working tool. The latter are more likely woodworking machines intended for professional use. Still others are hand saws, which can be permanently fixed to work as machine tools. But this is generally more for reference. In our material, we will focus exclusively on hand-held power tools.
Appointment.Circular saws, like other tools, can be everyday and professional (some authors also distinguish semi-professional models as an intermediate option). Saws for household use are cheaper, but they are inferior to professional models in reliability and productivity. As a rule, if you do not make money with a saw, then there is no great reason for you to buy a professional tool, because an ordinary home machine will cope with most of the tasks.
Food. Electric saws can be mains and battery. The former are more powerful and productive, the latter are more mobile and can work without access to an outlet or damp places, such as a flooded basement, where using the mains power tool is dangerous to life.
Power. The higher it is, the more productive the tool is, the more stable its speed, less heating, and more time of continuous work. In addition, a low-power saw simply cannot cope with hard materials. Typically, the power of circular saws is between 800 and 2000 watts.
Rotational speed. The higher the rotational speed, the more difficult materials the saw can handle and the cleaner and smoother the cut. However, for some materials, a low rotational speed tool is preferable: for example, some types of plastic can warp when in contact with a saw that is very hot from rapid rotation disk.
Number of speeds. Most household saws have one speed, and this is usually enough for the DIYer. However, on sale you can find models with a large number of speeds for working with different materials.
Cutting depth. It is usually about 40% of the saw blade diameter and can be between 40 and 140 mm.
Cutting angle. Most circular saws can work at angles up to 45 degrees, but sometimes there are models with cutting angles up to 60 degrees from the vertical axis.
Options. Additional functionality should not be the cornerstone when choosing a circular saw, but chips such as laser mark, blocking accidental starting, smooth engine start, sawdust collection, vibration protection and rotation stabilization greatly simplify the work with tool. All this can be found in more expensive tools, but today even budget models are often equipped with additional functionality, which is very nice.
Manufacturer. Of course, you should not choose a circular saw solely by the label on the casing. However, it is worth, first of all, to pay attention to products of renowned quality, world renowned brands: Hitachi, Bosch, Makita, Metabo, Hyundai, Ryobi, Hammer, Status, DeWALT. Our independent Top 10 circular saws include tools from these and other manufacturers. Let's take a closer look at them.
Top 10 best circular saws
The best chain circular saws
1. DeWALT DWE575K
Hand-held circular saw with a power of 1600 watts. The single-speed motor provides the wheel speed of 5200 rpm. Supports 190 mm discs for a 67 mm cutting depth. The maximum tilt angle is 57 degrees. It is possible to connect a vacuum cleaner - a special adapter is included for this. In addition, the tool is completed with a saw blade, a guide, a wrench for changing wheels and a case for storage and carrying. The saw costs quite an impressive 10,000 rubles, but for this money you will get a convenient, lightweight and high-quality device for many years.
Price: ₽ 9 990
DeWALT DWE575K
2. Metabo KS 55 FS
This circular hand saw is slightly cheaper than the previous one and costs just over 8,000 rubles. Power consumption is 1200 watts (output - 670 watts), which is enough to work with disks diameter 160 mm at 5600 rpm at idle (4400 rpm at nominal load). The cutting depth can reach 55 mm, the maximum tilt angle is 47 degrees. The function of locking the spindle and connecting a vacuum cleaner are provided (the adapter is included in the kit). The machine is also equipped with a saw blade, a parallel stop and a wrench for changing blades. This model may have problems with increased vibration, so it is best to check the tool before purchasing.
Price: ₽ 8 269
Metabo KS 55 FS
3. Hyundai C 1500-190
Saw from a well-known Korean manufacturer. Quite heavy, weighs more than 5 kilograms (for comparison, the devices are taller - no heavier than 4 kg), but it is inexpensive, and can do quite a lot. For less than RUB 6,300, you get a powerful 1,300 watt single-speed motor that can handle discs up to 190 mm in diameter, providing a 65 mm cutting depth at 4,500 rpm. This tool lacks only a little more flexibility in setting the cutting angle - here it does not exceed 45 degrees - and the network cable is longer. Otherwise, in terms of price and quality ratio, this is almost the best option on the market.
Price: ₽ 6 290
Hyundai C 1500-190
Best Compact Circular Saw
4. Einhell TC-CS 860 Kit
A small power tool that can even be operated with one hand. The baby weighs less than 2 kilograms and is designed to work with discs with a diameter of 85 mm, which provides a cutting depth of 23 mm. Not a very impressive result, but for most everyday tasks, like working with plywood or laminate, there is more than enough. A 450 watt motor turns the saw blade at 6,000 rpm. Electronic motor protection is provided, as well as the ability to connect a vacuum cleaner. The saw comes with 3 interchangeable saw blades, keys for their installation, a rip fence, an adapter for a vacuum cleaner and a case for storage and carrying. An excellent household option for its price tag of over 5,000 rubles.
Price: ₽ 5 259
Einhell TC-CS 860 Kit
Best Cordless Model
5. BOSCH PKS 18 LI 0
Cordless circular saws are still considered exotic, but companies like Bosch see them as the future for obvious reasons like mobility and electrical safety. This single speed model is powered by an 18-volt battery, which gives the device decent performance. The disc diameter is 150 mm, the cutting depth is 48 mm, the idling speed is 3800 rpm. With hard wood and thick boards, this baby will cope with work, but she is quite capable of most everyday tasks. Unfortunately, at a price of just under 6,000 rubles, the device is not equipped with either a battery or a charger. What to do - comfort and mobility are expensive, but worth it.
Price: ₽ 5 378
BOSCH PKS 18 LI 0
Circular saw for discs up to 190 mm in diameter
6. Bort BHK-185N new
One of the most affordable models of circular saws on the market, which, at a modest price of over 2,500 rubles, can, however, surprise with its capabilities. A fairly efficient 1200 watt electric motor is installed here, which can easily work with discs with a diameter of 185 mm, providing a cut up to 65 mm deep. The rotation speed of 4800 rpm is sufficient to work with both the hardest and most capricious materials. Of course, there are no miracles in the world, and the quality of two instruments from one batch can be very differ greatly, so be sure to check the unit before buying - for backlash and tendency to vibration.
Price: ₽ 2 351
Bort BHK-185N new
Circular saw for large discs
7. Makita 5008MG
The Japanese company Makita is known for its professional power tools: reliable, productive and quite expensive. This hand-held circular saw at a price of 10,000 rubles is one of those. It is equipped with a powerful 1800 watt motor that delivers a saw blade speed of 5200 rpm. At the same time, the model is designed to work with discs with a diameter of 210 mm, which gives a cutting depth of 76 mm - this is enough for working with boards of almost any possible thickness (if you make cuts on both sides, then you can work with almost anything at all whatever). The maximum tilt angle is 50 degrees. Convenient lighting and the function of air cleaning of sawdust from the cutting line are provided.
Price: ₽ 9 912
Makita 5008MG
The best inexpensive circular saws for the home
8. RYOBI R18CS-0
Another cordless circular saw in our selection, but at an almost similar price of 6,000 rubles, this model even surpasses its competitor from Bosch in some parameters. In particular, there was a place here for the installation of discs with a diameter of up to 165 mm, which gives a cutting depth of 52 mm. The maximum rotation speed is 4700 rpm and the maximum tilt angle is the standard 45 degrees. Of the additional functionality, there is the possibility of smooth speed control, as well as the spindle lock function. The tool runs on 18-volt batteries, but, as with the Bosch saw, you won't find a battery or charger included with it.
Price: ₽ 6 736
RYOBI R18CS-0
9. Status CP110U
A lightweight and compact model from the budget segment: the machine weighs in the region of 3 kg, and costs a little less than 3,500 rubles (at a discount, you can take it for 3,500 rubles). The 1050-watt single-speed electric motor delivers a decent 12,000 rpm rotational speed. This is sufficient to work with any material, including metals. The disc diameter is, of course, small - 110 mm, which gives 28 mm maximum cutting depth. Nevertheless, for most everyday tasks, this functionality is enough for the eyes. A spindle lock and the ability to connect a vacuum cleaner are provided. Included with the tool you will find as many as 4 saw blades with a special key for replacing them and an adapter for a vacuum cleaner.
Price: ₽ 3 489
Status CP110U
Best Handheld Circular Saw
10. Hammer CRP 1500 D
A household circular saw with a price tag of 5,000 rubles, which will become your faithful friend and assistant in solving any home-level tasks. The powerful 1500 watt motor can handle even metal and other hard and capricious materials with ease. Discs with a diameter of 190 mm provide a cutting depth of 67 mm at an angle of up to 45 degrees. The idle speed is 4700 rpm. Additional functions include a laser marker and the ability to connect a vacuum cleaner. The rich set includes a rip fence, spare brushes, a saw blade and a wrench to replace it. Of course, the weight of 5 kilograms may seem too large, but at such a price and opportunities, you can endure a little.
Price: ₽ 5 024
Hammer CRP 1500 D
FAQ
What to do if the circular saw gets too hot?
Chances are, you are overloading the saw with work, and it simply does not have enough power. Reduce the load on the tool and if the problem persists, send it for diagnostics.
How long does the circular saw battery last for work?
It all depends on the capacity of the battery and the intensity of use of the saw. Typically, this figure is 30-60 minutes of sawing on a single charge.
Why is it not advisable to take low-power circular saws?
The more powerful the saw, the more difficult the job it will do. In addition, a more powerful tool is able to work longer without overheating, it is easier for it to keep constant speed, there is less chance that it will fail when sawing hard materials or just for a long use.
