If you are a beginner and want to get into the amazing world of carpentry and craftsmanship, let me extend my warmest regards and welcome.
To get started, you’ll need to acquaint yourself with a circular.
However, choosing the best circular saw for beginners can be a bit of a daunting task.
Worry not, for I’m here to help you make your dream into a realization!
Contents
- 1 Top 9 Circular Saw For Beginners Reviews
- 1.1 1. SKIL 15 Amp 7-1/4 Inch Circular Saw with Single Beam Laser Guide – 5280-01
- 1.2 2. PORTER-CABLE 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw, Heavy Duty Steel Shoe, 15-Amp (PCE300)
- 1.3 3. Makita 5377MG 7-1/4″ Magnesium Hypoid Saw
- 1.4 4. DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Electric Brake, 15-Amp, Corded (DWE575SB)
- 1.5 5. DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX* Circular Saw for Framing, 7-1/4-Inch, (DCS577B)
- 1.6 6. DEWALT 20V MAX* 6-1/2-Inch Circular Saw Kit, 5.0-Ah (DCS391P1)
- 1.7 7. SKIL 15 Amp 7-1/4 Inch Magnesium Left Blade Sidewinder Circular Saw Skilsaw – SPT67M8-01
- 1.8 8. Milwaukee 2730-21 M18 Fuel 6 1/2 Circ Saw 1 Battery Kit
- 1.9 9. Hitachi C18DBALP4 18V Cordless Brushless Lithium Ion 6-1/2″ Deep Cut Circular Saw
- 2 Buyers Guide For Best Circular Saw for Beginners
- 3 Frequently Asked Questions
- 4 Conclusion
Top 9 Circular Saw For Beginners Reviews
Getting to the heart of things, I have now briefly reviewed the top 9 circulars saw that you could use as a beginner.
To make things even simpler, I’ve mentioned a few pros and cons that will help you make a better choice when it comes to choosing the right circular saw.
Without further ado, the top 9 circular saw for beginners:
1. SKIL 15 Amp 7-1/4 Inch Circular Saw with Single Beam Laser Guide – 5280-01
My first choice for all the aspiring beginners is to go with the SKIL 5280-01 Circular Saw.
Why I think this will make a good choice for you is due to the laser beam guide, which makes cutting easier, and helps you get more stable.
Plus, the frame is quite durable and heavy-duty, so you won’t have to worry about the initial clumsiness as a novice.
But make sure to get the hang of the routine, the laser isn’t always accurate, and you might need some maintenance checks.
Pros
- Laser beam
- Accuracy
- Easy handling
- Lightweight
Cons
- Maintenance
- Faulty guide
2. PORTER-CABLE 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw, Heavy Duty Steel Shoe, 15-Amp (PCE300)
The PORTER-CABLE 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw is my premium follow-up pick for beginners who want to step up their game or climb the proverbial ladder with their skill set.
With a pretty decent RPM, I found this model to give a good accurate assessment of the cutting. This allowed me to cut with precision and quality.
However, this isn’t good with exotic woods and might be easily damaged on impact, so best watch out on that end.
Pros
- Good RPM
- Accuracy
- Spindle lock
- A good line of sight
Cons
- Not for exotic woodwork
- Easy damage
3. Makita 5377MG 7-1/4″ Magnesium Hypoid Saw
The Makita 5377MG Magnesium Hypoid Saw is an aesthetic model that functions at 4500RPM, making it stable for daily use and a great tool to learn.
I like its one-handed adjustment and ergonomic grip, both of which ensure that I don’t have to worry about wrist mobility when working.
Plus, the structural quality is pretty good as well. Just note that it’s heavy on the front, so it might lean. And there isn’t any chute to divert dust.
Pros
- Retractable
- High quality
- Less maintenance
- Better fit grip
Cons
- Dust accumulation
- Front tilt
4. DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Electric Brake, 15-Amp, Corded (DWE575SB)
The best thing I like about the DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw is the electric brake.
It’s fast, efficient, and a great tool to have if you’re still acquainting yourself with the safety protocols when working with circular saws.
As far as some features are concerned, I enjoyed the dust blower and the overall lightweight frame.
However, I noticed it doesn’t have a cutting line and might seem slow for starters.
Pros
- Electric brake
- Integrated dust blower
- Compact
- Can take a hit
Cons
- No cutting line
- Speed delay
5. DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX* Circular Saw for Framing, 7-1/4-Inch, (DCS577B)
If you’re a beginner to sewing and need something for framing, I would highly recommend going with the DEWALT FLEXVOLT 60V MAX Circular Saw.
This model is pretty accurate and gives a decent run time that you can use to work for long hours and shift.
I also liked other functional features that were top-notch, such as the dust blower and the electronic brake.
However, this model is a little heavy in comparison, and the battery runs out soon if you’re working at max capacity.
Pros
- Integrated dust blower
- Electric brake
- Very powerful
- Rafter hook
Cons
- Battery timing
- Heavy
6. DEWALT 20V MAX* 6-1/2-Inch Circular Saw Kit, 5.0-Ah (DCS391P1)
My last pick from Dewalt, the DEWALT 6-1/2-Inch 20V Max Circular Saw, is an excellent choice for looking for something lightweight, durable, and yet strong enough to take a hit.
I found the other functions pretty satisfactory and user-accessible to be used by a beginner. However, it’s not a good tool if you’re a professional or want to make bigger cuts.
For that, I’d suggest getting something with more power and blade depth.
Pros
- Durability
- Comfortable grip
- Carbide tipped blade
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not suitable for bigger cuts
- Lacks power
7. SKIL 15 Amp 7-1/4 Inch Magnesium Left Blade Sidewinder Circular Saw Skilsaw – SPT67M8-01
Next up, I present to you the SKILSAW Southpaw SPT67M8-01.
Manufactured from an all-out magnesium frame, this model is reputed for being easy on the wrist due to its weight and anti-vibrational frame.
This is pretty great to have, noting how this model has a pretty high torque that cuts through fast and swift.
Since there are no bags, though, make sure you pay attention to storing them properly.
Other than that, this is a pretty good model to consider, and I would highly advise that you give this a shot.
Pros
- Magnesium frame
- High torque
- Reduced heating
- Accurate cutting
Cons
- No storage
- No hooks
8. Milwaukee 2730-21 M18 Fuel 6 1/2 Circ Saw 1 Battery Kit
The Milwaukee M18 2730-21 can come off as pretty intimidating if you’re starting, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, you’ll love everything about this model.
It has electronic brakes that will keep the whole process safe, while also ensuring a smooth and comfortable cut owing to the soft-grip handle.
However, I found the lower guard to be poorly designed. And there wasn’t any rafter hook, but hey, we can still make do without that.
Pros
- Ergonomic grip
- Magnesium guards
- Depth adjustment
- Compact frame
Cons
- No rafter hook
- Poor lower guard design
9. Hitachi C18DBALP4 18V Cordless Brushless Lithium Ion 6-1/2″ Deep Cut Circular Saw
Last but not least, I bring to you the Hitachi C18DGLP4 18V Cordless Lithium-Ion 6-1/2″ Circular Saw.
Don’t think that because of its position, it’s any lesser than the models above.
I think the Hitachi C18DGLP4 18V Cordless Lithium-Ion 6-1/2″ Circular Saw has an excellent, accessible interface that makes it a great tool for beginners.
I enjoyed the electric brakes that made the model more precise and found the built-in spotlight a great tool to get my cuts right. I think everyone, especially beginners, can benefit from that.
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Pros
- Lightweight
- Spotlight
- Angle adjustment
- Soft grip
Cons
- Not versatile
- Not much depth
Buyers Guide For Best Circular Saw for Beginners
When choosing the right circular saw for your work, many factors should be considered and given much thought.
In as few words as possible, I’ve tried summarizing all of these differentials to help you make your experience from good to great.
Let’s get right into it:
Weight
The first thing that I would recommend you look into as a beginner is the overall weight of the model.
This might come off as odd first, but I have a very good reason for putting it high on the list.
When starting with saws, users aren’t acquainted with the angle that you’ll be working in. This leads to accumulated fatigue and stress on the tendons.
Down the road, this can be not good. However, this can be easily prevented if you work up with your motor developments.
Try to start small and with lighter models. When you build resistance and comfort, go towards heavier models that are more powerful.
Safety Features
As a beginner, your primary priority should be to keep yourself safe. Contrary to what the expert might say, you CAN learn and make the most of what you have without injuries.
A good place to start is looking for electric brakes in your circular saw. This will make sure that the machine is geared to stop at the click of a button.
Functioning RPM
RPM, or Rounds Per Minute, can give you a good idea of how powerful the motor is.
When starting, I’d suggest you go for something with a decent RPM but isn’t excessive.
In the first few weeks, it’s a good practice to work more with maneuvering the saw around, rather than going for raw power and deep cuts. As the saying goes, walk before you run.
Comfort
In craftsmanship, to be truly great at what you do, you need to step out of your comfort zone. However, when starting, it’s best not to dive in headfirst and lose the spark of interest that brought you here in the first place.
Hence, I would recommend that you prioritize comfort, as well. Along with the weight consideration, I would seriously advise that you look for a model that is user-friendly and accessible.
Look for ergonomic handles that make the operation so much smoother. Try to shoot for a model that is easy to store or requires less maintenance.
Manual
This is arguably the most underrated aspect of choosing the right circular saw for yourself.
When landing on something you like, it is super important that you ensure the presence of a manual. This manual should be your muse, something you can fall back on when the time comes.
Not only will it help you with the assembly and the disassembly, but a helpful instruction manual will also take you through the steps of how to make the most out of your circular saw.
As a beginner, I cannot emphasize enough on how important this is. Look out for it, and you’ll thank yourself down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use a circular saw for beginners?
As a beginner, I would highly recommend the following everything by the book.
Ensure that you read the manual thoroughly before starting out and pay extra attention to all the safety precautions and protocols.
Can a circular saw replace a table saw?
However, that is a skill set that should be saved for later since it requires more precision and finesse.
As a beginner, I would recommend keeping these two entities apart and only transition when you’ve peaked your learning curve.
Why does my circular saw get stuck?
The main culprit always is improper alignment. Make sure that your blade is properly aligned and adjusted, and that the depth is fine-tuned for the task at hand.
How do you rip a 2×4 with a circular saw?
I would recommend that this is something that you leave for later down the road and first focus on getting basic and simple cuts right.
However, when it comes to this, and you’re comfortable with the basics, a 2×4 cut isn’t that hard. I’d recommend getting a proper blueprint idea before putting pen to paper.
Why is my circular saw smoking?
This is because when cutting wood, the moisture trapped in the frame is exposed to repeated friction.
This friction generates heat and residue, which comes off as smoke when working with circular saws.
What size circular saw should I buy?
This depends entirely on you and the type of work you intend to do. The bigger the diameter, the more in-depth work you can do.
However, for beginners, it’s a good idea to start small and then work up the ladder.
What is the most common circular saw blade size?
The most common circular saw blade size that you will encounter is seven ¼ inches.
With this, you can normally get a lot of household and professional work done.
As a general tip, nonetheless, I’d recommend that you still get spare blades that have a bigger/smaller diameter.
Conclusion
When starting, getting the right product for yourself gives you the proper push and drive to start on the right foot.
This is why I always advocate getting something good for you instead of beginning well in general.
If you have any feedback or suggestion or would like to share your opinion on any of the models above, do share them in the comment section below.
Read Also:
- Best Worm Drive Circular Saw Reviews
- Best Mini Circular Saw Reviews
- Best Circular Saw Blade Reviews
- Best Corded Circular Saw Reviews
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