Circular saws are great. They are a mainstay tool for professionals and amateurs alike and it is very easy to see why with their versatility and accessibility. Capable of cutting through all sorts of materials from wood to metal, masonry to ceramics, they’re an incredibly handy tool for any DIY enthusiast to have in their workshop or tool collection.
Despite this, anyone who has used one knows the annoyance that can occur if your circular saw is not able to collect the dust and debris of the material you are working with. Cleaning your workspace of debris after a job well done and time-consuming and annoying. But do not worry, because in the following article we will be discussing some of the options available to you on the market today for circular saws with dust collection as well as useful tips on choosing a circular saw that is right for you, helping you create a more dust-free environment to work in.
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What Circular Saw Dust Collection Options Are Available to You?
Most circular saws have dust ports already built into them and they are very easy to spot when making your circular saw purchase and are usually behind the blade. One of the options available to you for dust collection is a dust collection bag that attaches to the port and dust is vacuumed up and into the bag as the waste material is created. It is worth noting that dust can still escape this vacuum and can also be blown around with this option. The other option available to you, which does not share this same limitation, is to install a custom-built hood onto your circular saw, but we will explore these options in more detail below as we help you decide your needs and specifications when purchasing your new tool.
What Are the Needs Your New Tool Should Meet?
Figuring out your needs before deciding which circular saw to purchase is a priority for you. It is safe to say that there is not any kind of all-in-one product that is going to make your life easier when it comes to circular saws with dust collection in mind. Instead, you will find that newer models that are being released are being done so with a convenient and easy to find dust port that enables you to attach high-end vacuums to your saw. This port that makes adaptability easier is more common in more expensive models, but if you’re looking for a saw on a budget or just hoping to add dust collection to a saw you already own then do not panic, as with a little ingenuity it is possible to adapt your older model to help with and control dust collection.
We’ve searched the internet high and low to be able to bring you information about some of the best circular saws on the market today that provide you with the adaptability to attach a vacuum and dust bag for much easier dust control and collection.
We’ll also be providing you with some of the best and most desirable vacuums that are available on the market right now. Combining these saws and vacuums is the best way to easily control and contain the dust and debris created when using your circular saw.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Circular Saw
As mentioned before, there are a few things to take into consideration when choosing your new circular saw which we will cover in the seven categories below.
The Style of Your New Circular Saw
You may or may not know that there are two kinds of circular saws available to you on the market. These are worm-drive and sidewinders. Sidewinders are the more traditional kind of circular saw and also the most popular. They tend to not only be less expensive but also have a lighter body and the handle is positioned so that it sits higher over the blade, which is on the right-hand side of the saw.
Worm-drive saws on the other hand come in two models themselves: short and long. On these, the handle is positioned behind the blade which is on the left-hand side, making them ideal usage for people who are right-handed which makes it more visible.
Choosing Corded or Cordless Circular Saws
Considering the sort of power source you want your new circular saw to have is also an important decision to make. Corded saws have the advantage of unlimited power making them both a powerful and durable tool. This makes it ideal for most home workshops that will have a power outlet for tool operation. These corded circular saws are heavier however because of the attached cord.
Cordless circular saws on the other hand are much more lightweight, making them a versatile and portable tool. For this reason, most professionals will choose to use a cordless tool however being cordless, they are the more expensive option.
Choosing A Circular Saw That is Powerful Enough For You
The best circular saws out there that have dust collection capabilities have, as standard, up to fifteen-amp. If you were a wood-worker however, you would be using this level of power infrequently so we would be more likely to recommend a ten or twelve amp circular saw. The investment you are making in these pieces of equipment means that the price difference is not all that significant as you can guarantee it would last to be used for a long time.
Are You Using the Right Blade For Your Circular Saw?
It goes without saying that it is important to have the right blade for your circular saw to have the best experience with your tool and to get the best results. Most of the new saws on the market come with a carbide-tipped all-purpose woodcutting blade as standard and can be seen as the sort of ‘general blade’.
There are of course other blades you can acquire for your saw, made with specific purposes in mind that can deliver better performance under different circumstances.
Before purchasing a saw or even a new blade it pays to consider certain factors such as the number of teeth, kerf, tooth hook angle, expansion slots and the coating of the blade itself. Each of these things will affect the overall performance of your circular saw and the end product of your work, so are very important to look at.
Is Your Saw blade the Right Size For the Job You Need Completing?
One of the things that circular saws are categorised by are the diameter of their blades. Generally, most people will use a blade of seven and a quarter inch thickness as this is the most beneficial, being able to cut materials more than three inches thick and capable of cutting materials other than wood, such as different types of metal.
As you have read through this article, you have probably come to your own conclusions about what different aspects of the tool are right for you and will be most beneficial to the job at hand. The decision will of course be yours to make but we recommend the best circular saw with dust collection to be the one that ultimately makes your job easier and cuts your materials with ease. We have discussed the durability and versatility of different kinds of circular saws as well as the different features that will be available to you with different models which should hopefully help make your choice a little bit easier so you can choose a saw with confidence and peace of mind.