If you recently developed a love for DIY and are looking for tools that are not only versatile but also safe to use for beginners, then a circular saw is the one for you. It can be used for several purposes, like making and cutting fences, furniture, decks, etc.
Unsure of which one to choose? Have a look at our ultimate guide to knowing everything you need to about circular saws.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Circular Saw For Beginners
- OUR TOP PICK: Makita 5007Mg Magnesium
- RUNNER-UP: Dewalt 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Electric Brake (DWE575SB)
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Skil 5280-01 15-Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
Comparison of the Best Circular Saws For Beginners
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Should Any Circular Saw Be Used by a Beginner?
Yes, beginners can easily use and adopt a circular saw. It is mainly due to its versatility and reliability. A circular saw is very safe to use. It is also steady and very easy to use. These qualities make it a basic and simple tool that can be used by anyone and everyone, whether it is a professional or a beginner. Furthermore, its versatility makes it an essential tool in every workshop and every project. This versatility has further encouraged circular saw manufacturers to make it suitable for all levels of skill.
What to Look for When Buying a Circular Saw?
As a beginner, you probably don’t know about the things that need to be considered before buying a circular saw. Hence, we have highlighted some important factors for you.
Accuracy
It is basically the precision with which the circular saw measures something. It is important to have a precise and accurate saw, so you don’t cut your items more or less than they need to be cut. Hence, a saw should have accurate measurement readings.
Convenient Blade Replacement
The most important part of the saw is its blade, and it is possible that with repeated and improper use, it might get dull or damaged. Hence, it should be easily replaceable, so you can still use your unit efficiently. Furthermore, the kind of wood you are cutting also makes a lot of difference in the life of your blade. Lastly, there are some types of wood for which you need a different blade.
Grip and Weight of the Saw
It is important that the saw you have is not too heavy for you; otherwise, it can cause hand fatigue and difficult grip. Furthermore, the grip should be firm, or else you won’t be able to cut accurately, and you also might hurt yourself.
Review of the Best Circular Saws for Beginners
It can be difficult to choose from so many options in the market. Hence, we have picked some best, easy to use circular saws for you.
Best Overall:
Makita 5007Mg Magnesium
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Makita 500 is loved for its durability and highly efficient and specialized workings. The buyers believe it to be the last saw they will ever need since it has everything they can ask for. They also love its quality and the materials it is made from.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us for its superior built, durability, and detailed features. It is made from magnesium and hence is very lightweight and durable. It doesn’t cause hand fatigue and is easy to carry around. Furthermore, it is specially designed to provide you with a firm grip for your comfort.
Who Will Use This the Most
This is an all-in-one kind of detailed saw and hence can be used by both professionals and beginners. However, it is ideal for beginners, considering its ease of use. It is also lightweight, and hence it is easier for beginners to move it around, adjust it, and get used to it.
Bottom Line
As beginners, we should be looking for simpler products; however, we want products with various features to make our experience comfortable, and Makita 5007Mg Magnesium has it all. It has detailed features while also being easy to use for beginners.
Runner-up:
DeWalt 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Electric Brake (DWE575SB)
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to reviews, this unit is very easy to use and yet has all the features needed by a professional carpenter. Hence, its recent buyers are both professionals and beginners, and they love it. It is light and sturdy and gives them highly accurate readings. Furthermore, its guard makes it very safe.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We love this model for its unique lightweight built that is not found in any other product. This makes it super easy for everyone to use it for long periods of time without feeling any fatigue or discomfort. Furthermore, it also has a powerful built that makes cutting easier.
Who Will Use This the Most
This model has all the features required by a professional yet is very simple and easy to use. This makes it ideal for people of all skill levels. Furthermore, since it is highly durable, it can be used by a beginner even after he becomes a professional.
Bottom Line
To sum it all up, this is a very well-built and easy-to-use product. It has high accuracy, a powerful and light body, and a firm grip, thanks to its soft rubber handle. Furthermore, it doesn’t create a lot of noise.
Best for the Money:
Skil 5280-01 15-Amp 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
It is highly efficient in giving its customers straight cuts, and users love that it cuts through wood very smoothly. Hence, customers are highly satisfied with their purchase. They believe that this model provides them with the best value with its quality, low weight, single beam laser, and power.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The convenience and ease of use that this model provides its customers with makes it stands out among the various options available. It is very lightweight, has a spinal lock for safety and a dust blower for high visibility and a clean work area. Furthermore, it even has a single beam laser to guide beginners.
Who Will Use This the Most
It will be an ideal circular saw for complete beginners. It will help assist their learning process like training wheels for assisting a child’s learning of cycling. It has a single beam laser since beginners cannot keep their hands firm and a spinal lock for blades since beginners can be hasty.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, this model is a beginner-friendly saw with comprehensive features. Its features include a guarded trigger, powerful motor, single beam laser, and a dust blower with its durable and lightweight built. It will provide you great value for money.
4. Craftsman 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw (CMES510)
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
It is believed to be an excellent and solid saw by the customers. They love the ease with which it can be operated and how easy it is to change the settings. Furthermore, they love its smooth and powerful performance that is suitable for home DIY projects or other small projects.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We particularly like it for its durability and strong built that is further also warranted by the company in the form of a 3-year Limited Warranty that it offers. Its body is engineered in such a way that it is guarded by metal from all sides, protecting it from any fall damage.
Who Will Use This the Most
Although this model can be used by people of all skill levels and project scope, it is still advisable that beginners who are working on small DIY projects use it. It will be able to withstand their rough handling and still give them its best performance with its powerful motor.
Bottom Line
Overall, in terms of durability, this model barely has any competition. With its powerful motor, light body, and metal guarding, it is a top-quality product. This is further proved by the 3-years limited warranty that it offers to its customers.
5. Makita HS7600 Circular Saw
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Everyone loves the sturdy and efficient performance of this model. Its light and durable built is loved by customers. Furthermore, they love how it is so comfortable to use. It cuts through anything quickly, easily, and accurately while being half the weight of direct competitors.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit catches our attention because of the focus that it places on the blade and motor to make the end results of cutting highly sharp and accurate. This has also led to increased durability of blade and less need to replace or sharpen it often. Its blade’s tips can cut through every surface without any damage.
Who Will Use This the Most
It can be used by anyone at home or in professional workshops. However, it is specially designed for farmers and their needs. They need to cut through completely raw wood and materials, and hence they need highly sharpened blades that can withstand roughness.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, if you need the sharpest and most durable blade that can cut efficiently through any surface, then this model will be perfect for you. It has a well-balanced, light built with a highly powerful motor.
Circular Saw Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for Beginners
Before getting to use your new circular saw, you need to know a few basics about using it. You also need to know about the things you need to be careful about if you don’t want to hurt yourself. These include:
Position of the Motor
It is important to position the motor on the opposite side of the wood that is to be cut. It makes cutting easier and efficient. It will help you support your tool and get stability.
Blade Height
The blades can cut various depths, and if you want to properly cut your materials, then you need to adjust the height of the blade accordingly. There is also a risk of getting a kickback from your circular saw, and hence adjusting the height is also a safety precaution.
Let the Cutoff Fall Freely
The excess wood that you are cutting should be off the table, and once it is cut, it should fall freely. It is easier to cut wood that is not supported than wood that is supported by a table or something else.
Never Support Wood on Both Ends
This is a safety precaution, especially for beginners. If you support the wood on both ends and cut it from the middle, it will have a kickback, and it can be hazardous.
Conclusion
There are many great options in the market that will suit your needs as a beginner. They are easy and safe to use while providing you with quality and functionality like professional tools. All you need to do is understand your needs and find your ideal circular saw.