Main > Woodworking
15 amp motor too much?
Druxar:
I'm trying to choose everything I will buy including circular saw, and I see a lot of 15amp models. I know that a lot of my house breakers are 15amp...
Is this to suggest I will always be popping breakers when I want to use the saw (assuming I'm only running the saw on the circuit) or does a 15amp motor not necessarily draw that if you aren't trying to cut through bricks? I wouldn't want to buy a 15A and then have it kill the lights every time I pull the trigger
ScottS:
It depends to some degree on the saw. Some saws, especially table saws, have a "soft start" feature where the blade starts spinning slowly and quickly ramps up to max speed to prevent blowing a circuit breaker. Most circular saws don't have this feature. The other thing to consider is that the manufacturer's claimed power (= amperage) may or may not be accurate.
If you're concerned, I'd suggest buying from someplace with a liberal return policy. Give the saw a try and return it if it doesn't work. I'm not sure what my circular saw is rated at, but I've never had a problem running it on a 15A circuit...
Xam:
What kind of saw are you contemplating? 15A is a BIG saw motor. Most entry level circular saws are around 7A.
Xam
Druxar:
There wasn't a specific one, I saw 15amp 7 1/4 blade saws from Makita, Dewalt, Craftsman, Bosch, all in the low to mid $100 price range which I thought was affordable. I saw a 13amp, 12 amp, 14 amp...just all in one online store site somewhere and all from $99 to $150 so I figured that was normal power rating range and I feared it being too extreme.
Xam:
Those are the nicer saws...if you are only planning on using it occassionally, its probably overkill...if for regular use, those would be very nice. You can buy a nice entry to moderate level saw for between $40 and $75.
Xam