M ACHINE

SHOP
Theory & Practice

Power Hacksaws, Power Band

Saws, and Circular Saws

MODULE 1
 Module 1
OBJECTIVES

1. Illustrate the basic construction and identify the

fundamental parts.
2. Discuss the operation of power hacksaw, power bandsaw,
and circular saw.
3. Identify the safety precautions, and general principles on
the operation.

M ACHINE
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Theory & Practice
 Module 1
CIRCULAR SAW What is a Circular Saw?
A circular saw is a power saw using a toothed or abrasive disc or blade to cut different materials
using a rotary motion spinning around an arbor. Circular saws produce a burr-free mill finish
when slow-speed cold sawing is used. The rigidity of the blade produces cuts of extreme
accuracy and close tolerance.

Figure 1. Table saw (right) and portable circular saw (left).

M FLUID
ECHANICS
 CIRCULAR SAW Basic Construction

Table Saw
A table saw is used for an almost unlimited
number of woodworking tasks.
Fence – the part that you slide the wood against
when you feed it onto the saw.
Left-tilt or right-tilt – used to adjust the tilt of
the blade to cut angles.
Miter gauge – a small t-shaped tool which
guides the wood that you feed through the saw.
Saw blade – most table saws have a 10-inch
blade, but some of the most expensive cabinet
saws have a 12-inch blade.
Tabletop – needs to be absolutely flat in order to
Figure 2. Parts of a table saw.
provide the most accurate cut.

M FLUID
ECHANICS
CIRCULAR SAW Basic Construction

Figure 3. Blade of a table saw tilted to an angle.

M FLUID
ECHANICS
CIRCULAR SAW Basic Construction

Figure 4. Miter gauge in a miter gauge slot.

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ECHANICS
CIRCULAR SAW Operation

Steps in Operating a Table Saw https://youtu.be/NF9eXu5FyUI

1. Measure the thickness of the material and mark the line where it will be cut.
2. Using the blade lift handle, set the blade height to be slightly higher than the
material to be cut. Failure to set this will cause kickback. Then secure this height
with the blade lift lock.
3. For angled cuts, set the blade angle by turning the tilt handle (either right or left tilt
handle), then secure it with the tilt lock.
4. For slant or angled cuts relative to the plane of the table, set the desired angle in
the miter gear.
5. Adjust the fence. Lift the fence lock/lever then slide to adjust the width of your cut.
6. Push the workpiece past the blade (using a push stick when applicable). Do not
release a workpiece until it is past the blade and removed from the saw
7. Retract the blade into the table when finished to hide the blade.

M ACHINE
SHOP
Theory & Practice
CIRCULAR SAW Safety

Safety Precautions: Avoiding Kickback https://youtu.be/NF9eXu5FyUI

Kickback happens when the blade catches the workpiece and violently throws it back
in the from of the saw, towards the operator. For safety, the operator should never
stand in a direct line between the blade in the fence and the fence when ripping
narrow stock. A kickback can be fatal.

The risk of kickback is reduced by certain practices:

1. The blade must be kept sharp and clean.

2. The saw must be aligned, adjusted so that it is parallel to the miter grooves.
3. The blade guard should be used whenever possible. Some blade guards have
anti kickback devices that allow only forward travel past the blade.
4. Push the workpiece past the blade. Do not release a workpiece until it is past
the blade and removed from the saw. Turn the saw off before removing small
cut off pieces.

M ACHINE
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Theory & Practice
CIRCULAR SAW Safety

https://youtu.be/NF9eXu5FyUI
Safety Precautions
1. Wear goggles to protect eyes from dust/chippings and face mask to prevent
breathing in dangerous dust particles.]
2. Use push sticks so that hands and fingers are kept away from the dangerous
rotating blade.
3. Before plugging in the mains, check the condition of the blade. Do not use the
saw if the blade looks damaged or worn.
4. Check condition of the wood to be cut especially if it is recycled. Look out for
nails and screws. If these are hit the rotating blade and wood can be thrown
out of the machine at great speed. The blade will also be damaged.
5. Always plug power tools into a circuit breaker as a safety measure against
electrical faults.
6. Turn off all power to the saw when changing or carrying out maintenance.

M ACHINE
SHOP
Theory & Practice
CIRCULAR SAW Safety

Diagram A shows the miter guide being

user. This allows the wood being
machined to be cut accurately at a set
angle. The miter guide can be set to a
range of angles. Diagram B shows
push sticks being used.

Figure 5. Miter gauge/guide.

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ECHANICS
CIRCULAR SAW Safety

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Figure 6. Using push sticks keeps away the hand from rotating blade. ACHINE
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Theory & Practice