How to Use a Circular Saw: Training the Apprentice

By: Chris Boll

When we think about essential tools for the construction site, the circular saw makes its way somewhere toward the top of the list. As a person trying to get into the biz, it makes sense to know how to use a circular saw. The circular saw is often the tool of choice for making short, straight, clean cuts in a variety of common worksite materials, and you’ll wind up using one pretty regularly. For those of you looking to embark on a career using power tools, or even for those folks who just like to work on projects around the house, it never hurts to know how to use a circular saw.

Just the Pro Tips

> Use masking or painter’s tape over your cutline to improve the cut quality
> Use a sacrificial board if there’s no way to avoid cutting something under your workpiece
> Note exactly where the cutline hits with every new blade before making a cut that has to be perfect
> Put your battery on the charger when you’re done – lithium-ion doesn’t

How To Use A Circular Saw: Set-Up

Before you make any cuts there are a few things you’ll want to handle first. As it turns out, making the cut is really only half of the battle, and there’s some prep work that will precede the fun of blasting through a board and spraying sawdust everywhere.

Safety First

You probably won’t need to throw on the safety gear until it comes time to cut, but it’s good to have them readily accessible for when it’s “go” time. Safety glasses keep your eyes protected from stray wood shrapnel, and a dust mask will help keep your lungs happy. It won’t hurt to have a decent pair of work gloves at the ready, and if you’ll be doing a lot of cutting, your ears will appreciate some sort of hearing protection.

Of course, if the number of folks we’ve actually seen wearing safety gear with a circular saw is any indication, most of you will roll your eyes at this suggestion. When you catch a stray wood chip to the cornea, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail

Perhaps the first thing you’ll do will involve marking out where you intend to cut. Unless you’re comfortable with “just winging it” (and for most projects, you shouldn’t be), you’ll want to get a hold of a tape measure, a straight edge, and a pencil. Since most projects require some degree of precision, it’s best to take your time getting your measurements right. Measure twice and cut once, as they say. It will save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run.

A T-square helps for drawing quick, consistent lines at a 90° to the edge of your board. For angled cuts, a speed square can be really helpful. Once you’ve taken your measurements, you’ll want to use that straight edge to mark out a straight, bold line.

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