A Circular Skill Saw is a Key Tool in a Home Construction Project

By Mark J. Donovan

If you are planning a home construction project, such as framing a home addition or putting in wood shelves, you are going to need a circular skill saw. A circular saw is an ideal tool for either project. A circular saw is ideal for cutting framing studs and ripping plywood.

The most common circular saw has a 7 ¼” blade and can be adjusted to make bevel cuts. They can also be adjusted for the depth of the cuts. Some of the latest models, such as the Black & Decker CS1030L 7-1/4-Inch 13 amp Laser Circular Saw with Soft Grips, have a laser guide to aid in making straight cuts.

When looking into buying a circular skill saw, make sure you look for ones that are light weight and have at least a two year warranty.

It is also important when buying a circular saw to select one that has the power to handle both small and large jobs. The metric for determining if a circular saw can handle the big jobs is the “current draw”. A saw that draws 10-13 amps, will be able to handle the big framing projects. Just remember, however, that if you are plugging a 13 amp skill saw into a 15 amp rated electrical outlet, you will most likely pop the circuit breaker if you run another electrical appliance while operating the saw.