Circular Saw Guide | Types of Circular Saw

What is a circular saw good for?

A circular saw is possibly the most commonly used power tool for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts due to its versatility and ability to handle a wide range of cutting tasks. Whether you're working on a DIY project or a home improvement task, a circular saw can be a powerful ally.

By using a high-powered circular saw, you can significantly reduce the time and effort required for your next home improvement project. Its ability to cut through various materials, such as timber, roofing plastic, and metal (using the appropriate blade), makes it an indispensable tool for a wide range of cutting tasks.

The Essential Circular Saw Power Tool

A circular saw is an essential tool for anyone working with wood or other materials regularly, offering a blend of speed, precision, and versatility that few other saws can match.

Common uses for circular saws include:

Cutting lumber for framing and construction
Sheet goods like plywood and MDF
Trimming doors and countertops
DIY projects, furniture making, and home renovations

A circular saw is a versatile and powerful tool that’s beneficial for a wide range of cutting tasks, especially in woodworking and construction. Here’s why getting a circular saw can be a great investment.

Benefits of a Circular Saw

A Ryobi circular saw is an essential tool for many DIYers because of its blend of affordability, performance, and user-friendly features. Here’s why a Ryobi circular saw can be a valuable addition to your toolkit

1. Versatility

Circular saws are versatile tools that can be used to cut through a wide range of materials such as wood, metal, plastic, and masonry. This makes them indispensable for a variety of projects, from woodworking to metalworking and beyond. Their ability to make precise and efficient cuts in different materials makes them a valuable addition to any workshop or construction site.

2. Precision and Speed

Circular saws provide fast, accurate straight cuts, allowing you to work efficiently. The Ryobi 18V ONE+™ Cordless HP Brushless 184mm Circular Saw is Ryobi’s most powerful yet with high quality cutting performance at 4500rpm for achieving fast cuts in up to 62mm of wood at 90°. It is perfect for making long straight cuts, trimming sheet wood to size, cutting kitchen work tops, flooring or to make quick and accurate cross cuts in timber.

3. Portability

Unlike larger stationary saws such as table saws, circular saws are portable and easy to handle, meaning you can bring them to the job site or move them around your workspace with ease. Whether you're working on a site with limited access to power outlets or completing projects around the house, Ryobi cordless circular saws provide the flexibility and performance needed to get the job done.

4. Powerful and Efficient

Even the compact models deliver impressive power, making Ryobi circular saws suitable for a range of applications, from simple DIY projects to more advanced woodworking or construction tasks. Ryobi brushless motors are available in some spec circular saws which provide greater efficiency, longer runtime and reduced maintenance.

5. Affordable

Circular saws are relatively inexpensive compared to other power tools, providing a lot of cutting power for a moderate price. Shop the range of 18V ONE+™ cordless circular saws from Ryobi, from just £95.99. Ryobi circular saw range includes cordless brushless circular saws, cordless multi material circular saws and more.

6. Different Blade Options

Circular saws can accommodate a wide range of blades for different tasks. From fine finishing blades to blades designed for cutting through metal or masonry, this tool can be adapted to different materials and needs. Browse our range of circular saw blades.

7. Ease of Use

Circular saws are designed for DIY enthusiasts. They are straightforward to use, with simple adjustments for depth and angle, making them suitable even for beginners with proper safety precautions.

8. Durability

Quality circular saws are built to last, often with rugged designs that can withstand tough conditions, making them a durable and reliable choice for any toolkit. Ryobi circular saws are known for their durability and reliability. Constructed with high-quality materials and precision engineering, Ryobi circular saws are designed to withstand the demands of tough cutting tasks.

9. Angle and Bevel Cuts

Some circular saws such as the Ryobi 18V ONE+™ HP Cordless Brushless Performance Circular Saw has tool-less depth and bevel adjustment, which enables you to quickly adjust the bevel and depth of your cut to make bevel cuts, which are angled cuts often used in more complex carpentry or construction tasks. This adds to their versatility compared to standard saws.

10. Conveniently Cordless Circular Saws

Cordless circular saws offer mobility, while corded saws ensure continuous power. Ryobi cordless circular saws are a popular choice for DIY enthusiasts, offering the convenience of cordless operation. With advanced lithium-ion battery technology, Ryobi cordless circular saws deliver powerful performance without the limitations of a cord.

How to Use a Circular Saw

Despite its name, a circular saw is ideal for cutting straight lines! It's very simple to cut a straight line with a circular saw as the large flat blade tends to keep the tool on a straight line.

Circular saws are designed to cut long straight lines in sheet timber materials. Most circular saws are supplied with a parallel guide fence, which can be set up to guide the saw over a specific distance from the edge of the material, to ensure you achieve quick and repeatable accurate straight cuts.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a circular saw:

Adjust the depth of the blade to match the thickness of the material you're cutting.
Hold the saw firmly with both hands, keeping your body to the side of the saw blade.
Position the saw so that the blade is not touching the material, then press the safety trigger and the power trigger to start the saw.
Slowly guide the saw along the cutting line, keeping a steady hand and allowing the blade to do the work.
Once you've completed the cut, release the power trigger and wait for the blade to stop spinning before setting the saw down.

Always wear appropriate safety gear, such as goggles and ear protection, when using power tools.

Types of Circular Saw

Choosing the right circular saw for the job will help you to achieve the best results.

If you're looking for a standard circular saw then Ryobi offers a range of circular saws, which offer max cut depths from 45mm up to 62mm.

Alternatively, there are two types of circular saws available, called plunge or track saws which slide on a rail during the application, or mini circular saws for quick and light-work cuts.

Plunge or Track Circular Saws

Circular saws have an exposed cutting blade with a spring loaded guard that are designed to be pushed through the material from the edge. While plunge saws (sometimes referred to as track saws) use a similar blade system, except their blades are completely enclosed and are plunged into the material from above. Plunge saws typically run on a guide rail or track which ensures quick, accurate and repeatable cut results, with better dust collection.

Mini Circular Saws

There is also a sub-range of circular saws called mini (or compact) circular saws. Mini circular saws are helpful handheld tools, which are great for quick cuts in sheet timber materials, where accuracy isn't important. They are also great for cutting waste materials into smaller sections for disposal.

The mini circular saws compact size and one-hand application is a great DIY option, but it is important to note that mini circular saw don't always offer the same degree of accuracy as full-sized circular saws and that their smaller blades reduce the maximum material thickness they can cut through.

Assessing how deep a mini circular saw will cut can vary from model to model, so you need to read the product specification before deciding on whether it will successfully cut what you need it to.

For example, the Ryobi R18MMS-0 multi-material saw is the best compact circular saw for a variety of jobs as it can cut up to a max thickness of 26mm in timber materials. Plus, unlike most other mini circular saws, the Ryobi multi-material saw also comes with blades which allow you to cut various materials such as plastics, plasterboard, ceramic tiles, non-ferrous metals such as aluminium and copper and much more. Smaller than a typical circular saw, the lightweight and compact cordless circular saw offers greater control when making cuts in tighter or more confined spaces.

Our range of 18V ONE+™ cordless circular saws includes cordless brushless circular saws, cordless multi-material circular saws and more.

Circular Saw Blades Explained

Circular saws are categorised by the diameter of their blade, with DIY jobs often needing to cut through various materials and depths.

There are 3 basic types of circular saw blades available for precise results. These are rip cut, cross cut and combination blades.

Rip cut blades - typically have a low number of teeth which are set at a specific angle to allow for fast cuts in timber materials when cutting along the grain.
Cross cut blades - typically feature a higher number of teeth and thicker blade body as they are designed to cut across the grain of timber materials. These blades will cut slower due to the increased number of teeth and the increased resistance from the material when cutting across the grain.
Combination blades - combine the features of both rip cut and cross cut blades together to give the best of both worlds.

Browse our range of Ryobi circular saw blades

Ask Ryobi’: Circular Saw Power Tool Experts

The Ryobi circular saw range is known for its balance of affordability, performance, and innovation. Whether you need a tool for basic home improvement tasks or a more robust saw for heavy-duty cutting, Ryobi offers a variety of circular saws to suit different project needs. With the added convenience of the ONE+ battery system, Ryobi ensures that its saws are as versatile and user-friendly as possible.

Browse our range of Cordless Circular Saws.

Circular Saw FAQs

Choosing the right circular saw for the job will help you to achieve the best results. Here is a breakdown of common questions on circular saws with tips from the experts at Ryobi.

Is it hard to cut straight with a circular saw?

Despite its name, a circular saw is ideal for cutting straight lines! It's very simple to cut a straight line with a circular saw as the large flat blade tends to keep the tool on a straight line.

What is a circular saw used for?

A circular saw is primarily used for cutting materials such as wood, metal, plastic, and masonry. It can perform straight cuts (rip cuts and crosscuts) and can also be adjusted for bevel cuts in woodworking and construction projects.

What types of materials can a circular saw cut?

With the right blade, a circular saw can cut wood, plywood, MDF, metal, plastic and masonry (such as tiles or concrete). Browse our range of Ryobi circular saw blades.

How do I choose the right blade for my circular saw?

Choose a blade based on the material and type of cut:

- Rip-cut blades for cutting along the grain of wood.

- Crosscut blades for cutting across the grain.

- Combination blades for general-purpose use.

- Specialty blades for cutting materials like metal, masonry, or plastic.

What is the difference between a corded and cordless circular saw?

Corded circular saws are powered by electricity require a cable and power source. Cordless circular saws are conveniently battery-powered, offering greater portability and ease of use on remote job sites.

How do I adjust the depth of a circular saw?

Most circular saws have a depth adjustment lever or knob. Adjust the blade so it extends about 1/4 inch below the material being cut. This ensures you cut through the material cleanly without exposing too much of the blade, which improves safety and control.

Can I make bevel cuts with a circular saw?

Yes, you can make bevel cuts with a circular saw. Look out for a circular saw with an adjustable bevel gauge that allows the blade to tilt for angled cuts. Bevel adjustments are commonly made for tasks like cutting trim or making angled joints in woodworking.