By Tom Scalisi | Updated Mar 10, 2022 10:55 AM

DIYers have a wide variety of cutting tools available to them, but few are as convenient and versatile as the circular saw. This power tool features an electric motor that spins a round blade at high speeds, enabling users to cut through dense lumber, plywood, and other materials in seconds.

They’re fast, efficient, and accurate, and any DIYer can learn how to use a circular saw with some tips and practice. The following will teach you everything you need to know about this useful tool.

Before handling a circular saw for the first time, it’s important to get familiar with some of the individual parts.

RELATED: How to Use a Miter Saw

As is the case with most power tools, there are different types of circular saws available. While they all serve the same general purpose, each type has its strengths and weaknesses.

Sidewinder circular saws have electric motors mounted inline with the blade, and the blade essentially mounts to the output shaft of the motor. They’re compact and lightweight compared to worm drive models, and the blades spin at very high speeds. These saws are very low maintenance and easy to wield, but they aren’t as torquey as a worm drive. And, as far as cordless circular saws go, they’re predominantly sidewinders.

Our Recommendation: DEWALT 7 1/4-Inch Circular Saw at The Home Depot for $125.68 Dewalt’s 7 1/4-inch circular saw has a low-maintenance sidewinder design with plenty of adjustability, as well as features like onboard wrench storage and a built-in dust blower.

When it comes to cutting through thick lumber and timbers such as 4x4s, 6x6s, and the like, a worm drive circular saw is the way to go. These saws have motors mounted inline with the handle, as well as a set of gears that connect to the blade. This increases torque tremendously, but also increases size and weight. These saws often have maintenance requirements as well, requiring regular oiling and cleaning to preserve performance.

Our Recommendation: Skilsaw 7 1/4-inch Worm Drive Circular Saw on Amazon for $199 Skilsaw’s 7 1/4-inch worm drive circular saw is the gold standard in worm drives, with plenty of torque, lightweight magnesium parts, and tons of adjustability not found in other models.

Sometimes, a full-size saw isn’t necessary and can actually make a job more challenging. In those cases, a compact circular saw might fit the bill. These saws have blades that range between 4 inches and 5-3/8 inches. They’re also mostly made of polymer plastics, which keeps them lightweight but durable.

Our Recommendation: Makita 18V LXT Cordless Circular Saw on Amazon for $179 Makita’s XSS03Z 18V LXT compact circular saw weighs just 6 pounds (with the battery!) and delivers up to 3,600 rpm, allowing it to handle tough materials with its 5-3/8-inch blade.

Cutting perfectly straight is achievable with a standard circular saw, but a track saw helps expedite the process and reduces room for error. These saws have long track guides that lay on or clamp to the material, and the saw rides in those tracks. This produces straight cuts that are quick and easy to lay out.

Though these saws are rarely capable of cutting as deep as a standard circular saw, many can cut bevels with more accuracy. Inexplicably, most saws don’t come with tracks, so they’ll need to be a separate purchase.

Our Recommendation: DEWALT Cordless Track Saw at The Home Depot for $529 Dewalt’s Track Saw kit features a 6-1/2-inch blade, adjustable depths of cut, 45-degree bevels, and a powerful 12-amp motor.

Circular saws are convenient and can be very safe when used properly. But it might feel a bit intimidating to learn how to use a circular saw for beginners. The following tips can help.

Circular saws are generally easy to set up and use, but there are a few things to know before using one. First, place the saw on top of the material being cut so the blade is hanging off the edge and the plate is flat against the surface. Loosen the depth adjustment, adjust the blade depth so it’s around 1/4 inch deeper than the material’s thickness, and lock the depth lever back down.

For square cuts, it’s important to ensure the blade is set at a true 90 degrees. Unplug the saw or remove its battery and turn it over. Slide the blade guard out of the way and place a speed square or framing square against the blade and the bottom of the plate. If this doesn’t result in a perfect fit, loosen the bevel adjustments and maneuver the plate into place until it is.

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When it comes to what a circular saw is used for, the most common answer is cross-cutting, such as cutting framing lumber to length (across the grain). Doing so is fairly easy and safe for those who know how to use a saw like this. Here’s one method.

Circular saws don’t cut square automatically like a miter saw, so it’s important to mark the board with an accurate line to follow. Make a mark at the desired cut location and lay a framing square at the mark. Draw a dark straight line at the mark and double check it for accuracy.

Tip: If cross-cutting reclaimed wood, check for any nails or screws that might be in the way to prevent blade damage.

A sturdy work surface is a necessity, but it doesn’t have to be fancy. A truck bed, two sawhorses, or even a lumber pile make fine surfaces, as long as there isn’t a chance of accidentally cutting into something other than the wood you’re working with.

Provide enough room to stand on the longer side of the board as this will provide the most leverage for holding the board in place while cutting. Use your free hand to hold the board against the work surface with downward pressure. If necessary, clamp the board to the work surface for increased stability.

Without starting the saw, place the front of the plate on top of the board and touch the cut line with the blade. Back the blade up slightly, press the safety switch, and squeeze the trigger.

Watching the front of the blade, guide the saw through the cutline. Be careful not to put sideways pressure on the blade or else the cut may end up crooked. Allow the scrap lumber to fall to the ground after cutting, and allow the blade to come to a stop before placing the saw down carefully.

Rip cuts can be tricky with a circular saw (especially without a track), but they’re certainly doable. Here’s how to cut with a circular saw down the length of a board (ripping):

Ripping wood can be very awkward, so this is another scenario where the work surface is important. For ripping, a series of sacrificial 2x4s laid across a flat driveway works just fine, as do wooden sawhorses with sacrificial tops. Just be sure that the saw isn’t going to accidentally cut something that matters.

Whether ripping a piece of lumber or a sheet of plywood, the marks need to be accurate. In many cases, the easiest way to accomplish this is by marking the board at either end, stretching a chalk line between the marks, and snapping a line on the surface. Otherwise, a combination square, T-square, level, or a long piece of straight wood or metal can do the trick.

Place the front of the plate on the board and line the blade up with the mark. Back the blade up slightly, press the safety switch, and squeeze the trigger. Carefully guide the blade down the cut, watching the front of the blade to make sure it stays on the line. Guide the saw as far as safely possible before adjusting your position.

For long rips, it might be necessary to reposition several times before the cut is complete. First, do not let go of the saw until the blade stops. Once the blade stops, reposition to continue the cut safely. Then, back the saw up slightly before starting the blade again. Repeat as necessary until the cut is complete.

Lumber with a wavy grain, such as framing or pressure-treated lumber, can persuade the blade to follow the grain and come off of the line. It’s best to work slowly with these materials, and keep a firm grip (and eye) on the saw’s path.

Tip: When learning how to cut straight with a circular saw, it’s often beneficial to lower the blade’s depth as much as possible. This creates more friction, but it also allows more of the blade’s flat surface to come in contact with the wood, helping the saw track straight. Just be sure there isn’t anything underneath the workpiece, or the saw might cut it.

RELATED: The Best Straight Edge Clamps for Making Precision Cuts

There are a few things to consider when maintaining a circular saw. Be sure to follow these to get as much life and safety out of a saw as possible.

When it comes to versatility, there are many circular saw uses. While they’re not as accurate as a miter or table saw, they can do the job of both in many situations. With the above tips, anyone can learn to use these power tools safely and with enough precision to get many kinds of jobs done.

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