Circular Saw: How to Choose the Best for your Circular Saw

FACTS CHECKED BY  NICOLE PAV 

Going with one type of blade or the other for your circular saw requires in-depth thinking and consciously weighing the available options. Numerous factors contribute to the final product you decide to go with, and these factors will have a tremendous effect on the performance and lifespan of your machine in the long run. The article guides you in choosing the best blade for your circular saw between the options available.

Table of Contents

A worker using a hand-held power saw

Section 1: What is a Circular Saw? And its Common Types.

A construction worker cutting plywood with a circular saw

A circular saw is a power saws using a toothed or abrasive disc or blade to cut different materials using a rotary motion spinning around an arbor.

Circular saws came into the scene in the 18th century but only received extensive usage in the United States in the early 19th century. There are numerous types of circular saws, and in recent times the term circular saw has been used to describe any saw with a round blade that rotates on an arbor.

1.1 Types of Circular Saw

As earlier said, there are numerous types of circular saws. This is not enough if we don’t discuss some of them in this article. Because apart from the traditional circular saws, other kinds of saws use the circular saws blade, putting them into the category.

This guide will help you identify other saws types that use the circular blade and differentiate them from other models. Here are some of the most common types of saws with circular saws:

1. The Abrasive Saw

The abrasive saw is also referred to as the Chop or Cut-off saw primarily because it is useful in cutting actions on hard materials.

An abrasive saw is a competent machine that cuts through hard surfaces such as concrete, tiles, and metals around the home and in construction projects. The abrasive saw is a standard power tool used during construction projects to cut through the hardest parts of a metal material or other hard surfaces.

2. The Biscuit Joiner

The Biscuit joiner is a powerful tool for combining two pieces of wood. A biscuit joiner uses a circular saw blade to cut a hole in the opposite edges of two pieces of wood.

This circular saw is mainly used in woodworking tasks and is handy in home construction or interior decoration. It is used by carpenters and other woodworkers who need to join one piece of wood to the other.

3. The Cold Saw

The cold saw is the direct opposite of the abrasive saw. It is a circular saw designed to cut through metal materials using a toothed blade to transfer heat generated while cutting. Thereby allowing the circular saws blade and the cut material to remain as calm as possible.

A cold saw is usually equipped with an electric motor and a gear reduction unit to help reduce the speed of the circular saw blade while cutting through metal.

Section 2: What is the Difference Between a Diamond and Carbide Tipped Circular Saw?

A hand-held circular saws grinding through steel

A circular saw can be fitted with two blade tips that are effective in their different service areas. Whether you own a circular saw for personal or commercial uses, it is vital to understand what blade tip your machine is critical. This knowledge helps you to work with your circular saw more effectively.

2.1 What is a Carbide Tipped Circular Saw?

Carbide-tipped circular saws are very common in the industry today. They include saw blades, lathes, drill bits, and other relevant cutting tools. Carbide-tipped circular saw blade generally stays sharp for longer than regular steel-tipped saw blades.

Although in the long run, carbide-tipped circular saws also get dull. They can also be brought back to life like you do the steel-tipped saw blade. The only difference is the abrasive used to clean the blades.

Functions of a Carbide-Tipped Saw

  1. Also known as the Square top tooth saw, carbide-tipped saws are famous for heavy-duty cutting. The carbide steel is perfect if you need to cut through some of the hardest materials and have tons of them, as it can stay sharper for longer periods than regular steel.

2. Carbide-tipped saw blades are also effective in precision cutting and are used mainly by woodworkers who need to make accurate cuts.

3. A carbide-tipped saw is also appropriate for cabinet or furniture-making as they require minimal tear-outs.

2.2 What is a Diamond Tipped Circular Saw?

While diamond-tipped circular saws are not as popular in the industry as carbide-tipped saws, it is equally effective and a choice alternative for numerous active users.

When you use a diamond-tipped blade for your circular saws, you can rest assured that your machine is in for the performance of a lifetime and optimized service life. Diamond-tipped circular saws are usually best for cutting through the hardest concrete materials without fearing wear and tear for a long period.

Functions of a Diamond-tipped Circular saw.

  1. Diamond-tipped circular saws are used to cut through the hardest materials because they are equipped with diamonds. It is the hardest material known to man and can cut through anything.

2. A diamond-tipped circular saw is perfect for cutting through tiles, masonry, and other hard materials.

3. A diamond-tipped circular saw is also perfect for cutting through concrete because it is generally more durable than any abrasive blade.

2.3 Which Works Better?

Choosing the better type of circular saw between diamond-tipped and Carbide tipped saws is a complicated affair as they’re both effective in their rights. While the Carbide tipped circular saw is particularly effective in cutting through metal materials, the diamond-tipped circular saw is ideal for cutting concrete.

It is equally essential to include that the diamond is the hardest material known to man to date. And when machines such as the circular saw get fit with diamond edges, they become unstoppable against some of the hardest materials known to man.

On the other hand, the Carbide tipped circular saws blade is more widely used in the mainstream market and by the construction industry.

How to Choose the Perfect Blade?

Choosing the perfect blade between a carbide tip and a diamond tip is very straightforward, but you still need to be careful. Because the two blade types are best suited for use in different situations.

The diamond tip circular saw is perfect for cutting through the hardest materials, which can be found in the construction, military, and other heavyweight industries. The diamond-tipped circular saws blade is the best bet for heavy-duty cutting.

On the other hand, the Carbide tip circular saws are perfect for wood cutting and other precision cutting endeavors. Which do not require intense tear-outs, making it perfect for use around the home and in your kitchen.

The Diamond tip circular saw is the best circular saws for commercial purposes, while the carbide-tip circular saw is best for personal or mild uses. So when in the market for the best blade tip for your circular saws, it is best to consider the uses for which you will deploy them as a guide to choosing the perfect blade.

Section 3: How to Properly Care for Your Circular Saw Blade

The blade is one of the most critical parts of your circular saws. Whether diamond-tipped or Carbide tipped, without the proper care, the blade of your circular saw is bound to wear off after some time. And thereby take a chunk of your machine’s service life.

Here are the necessary steps to take to give your circular saws machine the proper care and attention:

1. Oil the Blade Frequently to Avoid Dullness

One of the best ways to keep the blade of your circular saw sharp and useful for an extended period is to frequently apply grease. Consistently cleaning your blade edges with grease or oil will remain very sharp and avoid rustiness as much as you want.

2. Buy Coated Blades

One of the ways to ensure that you care for the blade of your circular saws is to purchase coated blades from the onset. Your circular saws blade edge is sure to be protected with coated blades. Protect from dirt, particles, and other substances that might lead to a shorter life span for your blade and machine.

  • Soak your Blade Regularly

Another effective way to care for the blade of your circular saw is to soak it regularly in a washing solution or kerosene.

Soak it in these liquids overnight and watch the blade of your circular saw glow in the mornings like a flower.

The three methods discussed above have proven effective in cleaning up the blade of your circular saws and preserving it for consistent use inside and outside the home.

Section 4: Summary

A worker cutting wood with circular saws

The circular saws are an umbrella name for various saws machines that accomplish tasks by rotating around an arbor. You need to know that a sizeable majority of circular saws are useful in accomplishing similar tasks, and the power tools are very dependable on the job.

Whether you choose a Diamond tipped or Carbide tipped circular saws. You can rest assured that your circular saws will cut through the hardest materials whenever possible. Please feel free to contact us if you have any needs.

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