How To Choose A Circular Saw. Review Of Circular, Circular Saws MAKITA (Makita), WORX, BOSCH (Bosch), Skil (Skil), AEG, Black & Decker

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Circular saw design features
• Choosing a circular (circular) saw for a home workshop
• Circular saw Skil 5866 AF
• Circular saw AEG HK 75 A
• Circular saw Black & Decker XTS1660KA

Giving useful tips on choosing a circular saw for a home workshop, we will review the popular models.

Those who deal with construction or locksmith tools are probably familiar with a circular, or circular, saw from childhood. This tool was necessarily present in the arsenal of home craftsmen. Particularly appreciated were these models of circular saws, which were mounted on a table or workbench in order to use it as a stationary saw. Today, the repair site on its own will conduct a review of modern circular (circular) saws from various manufacturers - MAKITA (Makita), WORX, BOSCH (Bosch), Skil (Skil), AEG, Black & Decker and other models from various price categories. Recall that we have already told you how to choose a chainsaw, hammer drill and drill for home.

Mitchell and Sillivan, the founders of the world famous equipment manufacturer SKIL, are considered the creators of the circular saw. A tool called Skilsaw - the prototype of the modern circular saw - was released into series production in the mid-1920s. For nearly a hundred years that have passed since the first "circular" was issued, the type of instrument has completely changed. And the leading manufacturers of locksmith tools are constantly improving the circular saws that are always in great demand.

It is very easy and convenient to work with a circular saw, but care must be taken and safety precautions taken into account. Neglecting to use the tool can cause serious injury.

Circular saw design features

As you know, a circular (circular) saw is a hand-held electric tool designed for longitudinal and cross-cutting of wood, wood materials, plastic and soft non-ferrous metals. Working with a circular saw is characterized by high speed and accuracy, which is why this tool is literally indispensable for roofing, furniture making, flooring and other carpentry work. The saw, equipped with special discs, is also used when cutting metal profiles used in furniture design.

The actual design of the circular saw has remained practically unchanged since its inception. Of course, the tool has become more ergonomic and powerful, the weight has decreased, but fundamental changes have occurred only with saw blades. Currently, a lot of different saw blades have been developed, designed for work on various materials, such as wood and wood materials, aluminum and alloys, laminates, etc.

The main components of the circular saw:

• Electrical engine;
• gear housing;
• protective cover;
• platform and guide.

The body of a circular saw, as a rule, is made of durable heat-resistant plastic, less often of metal. Since work with a circular saw is often carried out in dusty conditions, when developing saws, most manufacturers pay special attention to ventilation and cooling systems, as well as chip removal. This serves primarily to protect the worker from dust, which is detrimental to health. All modern circular saws can be connected to industrial vacuum cleaners or to a dust extraction system. For this, special adapters are used. Some saws are equipped with stationary dust and chip removal systems. For example, the circular saw MAKITA 5017 RKB with a 1.400 kW motor and a saw blade with a diameter of 190 mm has a container for collecting sawdust in its design,allows you to remove over 90% of the sawdust that inevitably forms when working with a saw. With small volumes of work, this is practical, but if there is a lot of work, then the Makita 5017 RKB circular saw creates some discomfort in cleaning the sawdust collection.

Some manufacturers, in order to make the work with the instrument more comfortable, resort to very original solutions. For example, the Worx WT431KE circular saw from WORX (saw blade diameter 185 mm, engine power 1.5 kW) is equipped with a "revolving handle" that can change its angle of inclination up to 60 degrees. This is a very useful innovation, since the operator has the opportunity to work with the saw as he likes, depending on the individual anatomical features. This engineering solution was developed by WORX and is implemented only in the tools of this manufacturer.

All modern circular saws are equipped with a collector motor from 500 to 2500 watts. Engine power affects parameters such as cutting depth and saw blade revolutions. Even 10 years ago, circular saws averaged 3,000 rpm. For example, the model of the circular (circular) saw MAKITA 5143R with a power of 2.2 kW (blade diameter 355 mm), which has not left the market for 10 years, has 2700 rpm.

Modern saw models already have up to 5000 revolutions, such as the BOSCH GKS 85 circular (circular) saw (power 2.2 kW, blade diameter 235 mm).

A new version of this tool deserves special mention - cordless circular saws. For example, a wide range of cordless tools, including various types of circular saws equipped with accumulators, was developed by BOSCH. One of the most interesting new products is the BOSCH GKS 36 V-LI Professional circular saw powered by high-quality lithium-ion batteries. The tool is equipped with a 165 mm (4000 rpm) disc and weighs only 4.8 kg.

Accumulators can be equipped not only with professional-grade tools, but also with a number of household tools. Unlike equipment such as hammer drills, professional drills, circular saws, angle grinders, they are not equipped with a release button lock, which would allow it to be fixed in the on position. This is due to high safety requirements.

Modern electric circular saws often have another interesting and useful innovation - a laser pointer. Even if during the work the sawdust will fill the marked cut line, then in the presence of a laser pointer this will not interfere with the work.

Before choosing a circular saw, special attention should be paid to the design of its platform. For domestic use, a saw with a stamped platform may work - as a rule, such saws have a lower cost - but for professional use a saw equipped with an aluminum die-cast platform is better suited. This platform is more resistant to deformation and therefore the saw will be more accurate in work. Many manufacturers put special markings on the saw platform, with which you can more accurately cut the material.

In addition, you need to pay attention to the possibility of replacing the saw blade. If the circular saw does not have a spindle lock, then replacing the blade is possible with only two keys, which is very difficult and takes a long time.

If you need to perform high-precision work, it is advisable to pay attention to the guide rail. All companies produce guide bars for their saws, but it must be borne in mind that they are suitable exclusively for tools from the same manufacturer.

Special attention should be paid to saw blades. Saw blades are available today for almost any material. The high quality of the discs is due to the tungsten carbide, the geometry and frequency of the teeth on the disc. There are discs for wood, there are - for laminate, after which the surface of the material does not require processing. Using modern saw blades, you can not be afraid that the saw will break if it hits a nail left in the board.

It should be noted that repairing a circular saw is a very expensive undertaking. For example, the cost of replacing an anchor is almost the same as that of a new saw. The reason for the wear of the splines on the anchor can be such things as excessive pressure on the tool itself during operation, an error in the selection of the saw blade, or its damage or defect (no carbide soldering, the sharpening was incorrect).

Choosing a circular (circular) saw for a home workshop

What kind of saw to choose for a home workshop? Let's consider some models of circular saws (let's focus on mains-powered saws, since battery-powered saws have a very limited area of application) - household and inexpensive professional.

Circular saw Skil 5866 AF

This model stands out from a number of similar ones, with its strict ergonomic design and excellent technical characteristics. This saw is very comfortable to use thanks to the special rubberized handles, which make it easy to hold the tool and reduce vibration. The saw is equipped with a powerful motor (1.5 kW) and a universal 24-tooth saw blade with a diameter of 190 mm (speed - 5500 rpm), allowing you to make cuts up to 66 mm deep. An important feature of this model is a double laser pointer, which allows not only making accurate cuts, but also showing the thickness of the disc, due to which you can see how much material will be consumed when cutting. A plastic case and an adapter for connecting to an industrial vacuum cleaner are provided with the saw. A sawdust and shavings collection bag can also be installed on the saw. The cost of this circular saw is about 7,000 rubles.

Circular saw AEG HK 75 A

This circular saw is equipped with a 1.4 kW motor and a 210 mm (5600 rpm) blade. The front saw handle is rigidly attached to a stamped support platform, which ensures the stability of the tool during operation. The long (4 m) power cord provides additional convenience for operation, allowing you to do work without using extension cords.

In order to prevent spontaneous switching on, the manufacturers have provided this saw model with an emergency stop of the start button. The saw is supplied with a side ruler for precise cutting of material and an adapter for connecting to an industrial vacuum cleaner. The cost of this model is about 7,500 rubles.

Circular saw Black & Decker XTS1660KA

This is a very bright and ergonomic model. Its weight is -2.2 kg, and its striking design makes it similar to the classic saws from SKIL. The saw is equipped with a 190 mm diameter disc with a rotation speed of 5000 rpm and a 1.6 kW motor. The cutting depth for this saw is 65 mm. The saw is equipped with a laser pointer that allows you to make the most accurate cuts. The design of this model is based on a cast aluminum platform. The manufacturer's warranty is 2 years, and the cost is about 7800 rubles.

All saws discussed above have approximately the same capabilities. Adjustment mechanisms make it possible to change the depth and angle of inclination of the cut (up to 45 degrees).

Circular saw AEG HK75 A belongs to the professional category. However, the Skil 5866 AF model deserves special attention. The laser pointer on it is more conveniently located and, accordingly, less susceptible to damage. The front handle is more ergonomic than the AEG HK75 A saw and is easier to grip than the straight handle of the Black & Decker XTS1660KA saw. And also, the pointer of the Black & Decker XTS1660KA saw does not always allow you to see the direct cutting point, which can create difficulties during work.

Of course, the choice of tool is a completely and completely individual question, but we most of all liked the Skil 5866 AF circular saw.

You should never forget about safety measures when using circular saws. It is necessary to carefully study the instructions, and during work, be sure to use protective glasses.

We hope that our material has been useful to you and allowed you to get an idea of the capabilities of tools such as a circular saw. We wish you a successful choice and high-quality and safe work.