The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: Benevolance on July 11, 2009, 03:40:38 pm

Title: Circular saws
Post by: Benevolance on July 11, 2009, 03:40:38 pm

Building an arcade with just a router worked fine for cutting MDF. But for my next projects, I want to work with real wood. Consquently, I want to upgrade my power tools.

I live in a townhouse, and space is a big consideration. I'm not sure I have enough room to actually store a table saw. Instead, I'm looking at buying a circular saw, in particular the Makita 7-1/4" circular saw (http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?D=971149&Ntt=971149&catalogId=10051&langId=-15&storeId=10051&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntx=mode+matchall&recN=113401&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber). My understanding is that a circular saw can handle most of the same jobs as a table saw?

Is there anything in particular I should be looking for in a circular saw? The projects will basically involve cutting 2x4" boards, or cutting 3/4" sheets of wood. 

Title: Re: Circular saws
Post by: fixedpigs on July 11, 2009, 09:06:54 pm

if you are going to spend that much...have you considered a wormdrive saw...?

http://reviews.ebay.com/Worm-Drive-VS-Side-Drive-Circular-Saws_W0QQugidZ10000000008123331

http://www.canadianhomeworkshop.com/tools-and-materials/portable-power-tools/sidewinders-vs-worm-drive-circular-saws/a/22144

Title: Re: Circular saws
Post by: drventure on July 11, 2009, 10:43:48 pm

Definitely, with some good clamps, a piece of angle iron (from a bedframe is what i use) and some decent WorkBenches (the portable fold down black and decker kind), you can do just about anything with a skil saw you can with a table saw (there's a few thing that'd be tough, like cutting slots to make  piece of word bend around a curve, but hey!)

That'd be a nice saw too.

Title: Re: Circular saws
Post by: Haterot on July 13, 2009, 12:20:40 pm

definitely need a straight edge or get yourself a circular saw rip fence.

Title: Re: Circular saws
Post by: thecheat on July 13, 2009, 01:20:54 pm

Just make the saw guide that is stickied in this forum. I made one in two minutes and it has helped A TON! Since they are so cheap and easy, you can even make them for different angles. Line the board's edge up to where you want to cut, push the saw along the guide board and you're done.

Title: Re: Circular saws
Post by: Benevolance on July 14, 2009, 03:26:29 pm

Wow. That saw guide is really awesome. I cannot believe I've missed it all this time.