If you ever had the chance to use a circular saw, you probably know it is not an easy task; misusing a circular saw can lead to fatal injuries. So, if you are trying to use a circular saw and are still unaware of the correct procedure, this article will help you immensely. Today, we will talk about the specs, how to use a circular saw, maximum circular saw cutting depth, and many more.
From the above topic, we will be focusing on the maximum circular saw cutting depth. But before that, there are several things related to cutting depth that we need to discuss. For instance, above mentioned cutting depth might change according to blades and saw sizes, and we will talk about that matter later in the article. For now, first, you need to know about the circular saw and its uses.
What Can I cut with a Circular Saw?
With a circular saw, you can cut materials like wood, metal, concrete, etc. you can use this machine as a handheld item. Also, you can mount the circular saw on another machine. Among construction workers, this item is widespread, and they use it to complete various tasks.
Uses of a Circular Saw
Here are common uses of a circular saw.
- Cutting Large Timbers: In the past, mills used small and medium-sized circular saws to cut large timber pieces. Nowadays, sawmills use even larger circular saws, and these large circular saws have 3 meters radius.
- Cutting Metal: For cutting metal, you can use a cold saw. These saws are the same as the circular saws but have much sharper teeth on the blade than the ordinary circular saw. Most manufacturers use this saw to cut brass, bronze, and steel.
- Cutting Plywood: Most woodworks require cutting large plywood and other boards. A good circular saw can easily cut these plywood boards, and it is the easiest way to cut large plywood.
Different Circular Saws and Blades Types
Before going forward, you need to understand that different circular saw blades are used to cut various materials, and it fits only for a specific circular saw. For instance, a 4.5-inch diameter blade is only suitable with the 4.5-inch circular saw. Here are some circular blade types that can use for different tasks.
4.5 inch to 7.5 inch Blades
Primarily used for handheld circular saws, this is the smallest group of blades; you can get it in the market. Commonly used for general woodwork.
7 inch to 10 inch Blades
These blades use for tile cutting; Also, known as the diamond blades.
10 inch to 12 inch Blades
These large blades use with compound miter saws and table saws. These blades are carbide-tipped.
14-inch Blades
These blades use for metal cutting. So, these blades are powerful and equipped with strong cutting teeth.
Facts that Effect the Cutting Depth of a Circular Saw
Circular saw cutting depth depends on many factors. So, before we mentioned the cutting lengths, it is always better to learn about those factors. Mainly two facts can affect the cutting depth.
Blade Size
We hope that now you are familiar with different sizes of circular saw blades. When the size changes, the cutting death also changes.
“So, this is an important factor we should consider before deciding on the Circular saw cutting depth; Usually, with a bigger blade, you can cut deeper; Given that you use a new and high-quality blade.”
45 Degree Angle Cut and 90 Degree Angle Cut
This is an issue most people cannot understand properly. So, here is the difference between a 45-degree angle cut and a 90-degree angle cut.
“If you are cutting straight through a plywood board or something else, it is called a 90-degree angle cut. Usually, this type of cut is easy to execute.”
And If you are a skilled carpenter, it will take no time at all.
On the other hand, in a 45 angle cut, you will have to cut the particular plywood board with a 45-degree slope. To execute this correctly, you will need some skills.
So, whenever the angle of the cut changes, the cutting depth changes accordingly. We will talk about this later in the article with details.
Different Types of Circular Saw Cutting Depth
As mentioned earlier, there are different kinds of circular saw sizes, and blade sizes are available. For each one of them, there is a different cutting depth. So, we will go through it one by one for better understanding.
“Also, don’t forget about the 45-degree angle cut and 90-degree angle cut.”
7.25-inch Circular Saw Cutting Depth
This is the most common type of circular saw out there. And this saw is more than capable of handling various tasks.
When you use this 7.25-inch circular saw for a 90-degree angle cut, you can reach a maximum depth of 2.5 inches.
On the other hand, when using this 7.25-inch circular saw for a 45-degree angle cut, you can reach a maximum depth of 1.1875 inches.
6.25-inch Circular Saw Cutting Depth
Even though the 6.25-inch circular saw is not popular as a 7.25-inch circular saw, it is much lighter and easy to handle.
When using this 6.25-inch circular saw for a 90-degree angle cut, you can reach a maximum depth of 2.40625 inches.
On the other hand, when using this 6.25-inch circular saw for a 45-degree angle cut, you can reach a maximum depth of 1.6875 inches.
8.25-inch Circular Saw Cutting Depth
Arguably, this is the most popular circular saw in the market. It is also equipped with more torque and power than 6.25 inch and 7.25-inch models. The only downside is; this 8.25-inch circular saw is heavier and a bit slower when compared to the 7.25-inch circular, saw.
When using this 8.25-inch circular saw for a 90-degree angle cut, you can reach a maximum depth of 2.875 inches.
On the other hand, when using this 8.25-inch circular saw for a 45-degree angle cut, you can reach a maximum depth of 2.25 inches.
5.25-inch Circular Saw Cutting Depth
This is the smallest saw in the market. This 5.25 circular saw is perfect for woodworking shops, homes, and job sites. Because of their lightweight design and ease of use, these items are popular among most carpenters.
When using this 5.25-inch circular saw for a 90-degree angle cut, you can reach a maximum depth of 1.75 inches.
On the other hand, when using the 5.25-inch circular saw for a 45-degree angle cut, you can reach a maximum depth of 1.1875 inches.
10.25-inch Circular Saw Cutting Depth
This is one of the most significant circular saws you can find in the market.
“It is powerful than the models mentioned above. But, this 10.25- inch circular saw is hard to handle.”
When you use this 10.25-inch circular saw for a 90-degree angle cut, you can reach a maximum depth of 3.6875 inches.
On the other hand, when you use this 10.25-inch circular saw for a 45-degree angle cut, you can reach a maximum depth of 2.75 inches.
These are the most common circular saws you will encounter in the market. For clear understanding, we put all the above data into a table.
| Size of the Saw | Max. Depth 90° | Max. Depth 45° |
| 5.25 inch | 1.75 inch | 1.1875 inch |
| 6.25 inch | 2.40625 inch | 1.6875 inch |
| 7.25 inch | 2.5 inch | 1.1875 inch |
| 8.25 inch | 2.875 inch | 2.25 inch |
| 10.25 inch | 3.6875 inch | 1.1875 inch |
Apart from the above five circular saws, here are two other-sized circular saws. These two saws are not that common.
8 inch and 9 inch Circular Saws
Even though these sizes are not common types, you might need to use them. So, it is better to know about these two circular saws too.
8- inch circular saw cutting depth for 90-degree angle is 2.75 inches.
9- inch circular saw cutting depth for a 90-degree angle is 3.25 inches, and for a 45-degree angle cut, it has a cutting depth of 2.125 inches.
Can I Adjust the Cutting Depth of a Circular Saw?
This is one of the most asked questions on the web. And the answer is yes. You can adjust the depth of a circular saw, and here are some steps to follow if you plan to change the depth.
Step 1: First, release the footplate lever near the blade guard.
Step 2: After that, you can raise or lower the footplate to adjust the depth.
“This method will help while working with different materials with thicknesses. But, always remember maximum depth depend on the blade, and there are limitations to this method.”
Wrap Up
If someone asks you about circular saw cutting depth at your workshop or site, now you can answer them without any doubts. Also, knowing circular saw cutting depths for each blade size is beneficial for your daily carpentry work. But, keep in mind, there is a big difference between a 45-degree angle cut and a 90-degree angle cut. So, consider all the facts before you buy or rent a circular saw, and it might help nicely towards your task.
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