We research in-depth and provide unbiased reviews and recommendations on the best products. We strive to give you the most accurate information. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Many people watched their fathers or grandfathers work in a woodworking shop. Whether you did or not, you may like creating and making things yourself. To do that, you require the right tools, and a circular saw could be the best choice. It’s highly versatile, and one of the first buys for beginner woodworkers.
Of course, we’re focused on the 10 1/4-inch circular saw today. The right design offers safety features to provide you with better cuts.
Milwaukee Circular Saw, 10-1/4 in. Blade, 5200 rpm
Makita 5104 14 Amp 10-1/4-Inch Circular Saw, Teal
SKILSAW SPT70WM-01 15 Amp 10-1/4″ Magnesium SAWSQUATCH Worm Drive Circular Saw
Milwaukee M18 2630-20 18 Volt Lithium Ion 6-1/2″ 3,500 RPM Cordless Circular Saw
Makita HS0600 10-1/4″ Circular Saw
What to Know about the 10 1/4-Inch Circular Saw
When you first realize the sheer size of the 10 1/4-inch circular saw, you may be intimidated. The large spinning blades are worrisome, and you may feel that using them is beyond your skills. However, they aren’t difficult to use, aren’t excessively expensive, and are relatively safe when you use them correctly.
Is It Appropriate for You?
The primary feature of the 10 1/4-inch circular saw is that it cuts wood that’s more than 3.5 inches thick. This is a significant difference in the field and in your woodworking shop. Of course, a 7.25-inch saw blade can cut through 2x4s with a single pass, but you may need another cut to get through thicker lumber.
You’re going to see that drilling and cutting are two primary jobs that you’re always doing in the shop. Of course, the circular saw allows you to cut the timber and break down that plywood for various DIY projects. It also helps with carpentry, jig, and other woodworking projects. In fact, you can cut through different materials if you use the right blade, and it all fits the saw arbor.
Why Not Choose a Table Saw or Miter Saw?
Those who are just beginning in the woodworking business might find a circular saw to be more economical when compared to the table and miter saw. Even experienced woodworkers may find this to be so if they’re just setting up a home shop. You can find many saw sizes available, as well. Of course, the 10-inch circular saw is designed for bigger cuts.
The most important feature for circular saws – when in comparison with the other saw designs – is it’s portable. You can take these saws to work with you instead of bringing the work to that saw. Therefore, you can cut wood that can’t really be moved. Plus, you can operate your circular saw in a space where a table or miter saw might not fit.
Unlike the circular saws, miter saws are limited to cutting widths that are based on the swing arm reach. This can make it the wrong choice for dimensioning your sheet goods or rip cuts.
Table saws are also limited by the size of the material that can safely be held on the table while cutting. This is an issue for the biggest table saws, especially for large furniture and wide wooden panels. Often, the table saw has problems with sheet goods, as well. However, the 10 1/4-inch saw makes it easier to tackle those larger wood pieces.
Downsides of the 10 1/4-inch Saw
The table saw and miter saw can both be cut extremely straight. While the circular saw can do superior carpentry work, even the best of the 10 1/4-inch designs are going to drift slightly. This is a problem for many woodworkers because accuracy is necessary for items like furniture.
You can purchase or make a saw guide to help, but generally, the long cuts with a perfectly straight edge are made using the track saw. If you make more rip cuts, a track saw could be the better choice. However, many intermediate and beginner projects can be handled by the 10 1/4-inch option just fine.
Please remember that the 10 1/4-inch saw has a larger blade. If you don’t handle it correctly, you could seriously hurt yourself.
Also, these saws are much bigger, so they weigh more because of the larger motor and blade. Therefore, control can be an issue. You may find that you’re more tired after using the 10 1/4-inch saw instead of the 7 1/4 variety.
Things to Consider
- Motor size – Consider a 15-amp motor, at least.
- Worm drive vs. sidewinder – The worm drive gives more torque, but the sidewinder offers more RPMs.
- Cutline visibility – With a clearer path between the contact point and eyes, you are going to get a better cut.
- Weight – The 10 1/4 circular saw is heavier, so if you can reduce weight in other areas, it’s appreciated.
- Safety add-ons – An electric brake can make the product safer and easier to use.
What is the Best 10 1/4-inch Circular Saws?
Milwaukee Circular Saw, 10-1/4 in. Blade, 5200 rpm
The Milwaukee saw circular product features 120 volts and has a 15-amp motor. Of course, the blade size is 10 1/4 inches. Without a load, the RPMs rev up to 5,200.
There is a max watts-out power of 2,300 with a peak horsepower of 3.1. It does include an electric brake.
You can get a depth of cut at 90 degrees for the 3 13/16 wood. Depths of 60 degrees are possible with a piece of wood that is 1 3/4-inch. The depth of the cut at 45 degrees is 2 3/4-inches. There is also a bevel capacity of 60 degrees.
A cord type is a two-wire option, and it is 12 feet long. It’s also double-insulated. Of course, the weight of the tool is 17.8 pounds. You get the rip fence and a steel case along with the circular saw. In fact, we think this simple design is easy to use. Without all the frills, new woodworkers could get along very well with this product.
Makita 5104 14 Amp 10-1/4-Inch Circular Saw, Teal
The Makita 5104 only has a 14-amp motor, but it’s powerful enough to get through timber and beams. There is a large bevel capacity (3 3/4-inch at 90 degrees and 2 3/4-inch at 45 degrees). You also get an electric brake for more productivity and safety.
There is precision gearing with a ball and needle bearing, which offers efficient and smooth power transmission. This product is well-balanced and only weighs 20.3 pounds. As a 10 1/4-inch saw, it can get through large pieces of wood in a single pass.
SKILSAW SPT70WM-01 15 Amp 10-1/4″ Magnesium SAWSQUATCH Worm Drive Circular Saw
The Skil Saw brand is a larger saw that’s designed to cut efficiently and cleanly in one pass. It includes a dual-field motor with a 15-amp capacity to provide more durability and power as far as saws go. With its magnesium construction, it’s long-lasting and is going to cut wood for you for a long time.
This worm-drive saw has an anti-snag guard at the bottom to help with smooth operation for those small cutoff pieces. Of course, the 51-degree bevel ensures that you can make many different cut options with the blade.
Milwaukee M18 2630-20 18 Volt Lithium Ion 6-1/2″ 3,500 RPM Cordless Circular Saw
When looking at circular saws of the 10 1/4-inch variety, you should consider the Milwaukee M18 2630-20. The electronic brakes are going to stop the blade fast when you’ve finished the cut. Don’t waste time waiting for your blade to slow!
The soft-grip handle is more comfortable, so you can use it for long periods. Generally, saws are used in a slippery environment with sawdust going everywhere. This is a safety and ergonomic feature.
You can adjust the bevel to 45 degrees and the depth of the cut up to 1.5 inches. This gives versatility to your cuts.
There are magnesium guards at the top and bottom of your blade to keep the unit safe from bumps and drops. You can use this product with the M18 lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, you can switch out the battery if it dies before you’re done.
It also features a worm drive, which transfers power to the blade from your motor. This gives more torque than you’re likely to find with other 15-amp motors.
Makita HS0600 10-1/4″ Circular Saw
The Makita HS0600 10 1/4″ circular saw delivers the same performance as its 7 1/4″ circular saws but with the ability to cut four times the lumber with a single go. The 15-amp motor can deliver up to 4,300 RPM with the power to cut engineered lumber, timber, and beams.
It’s well-balanced and is 16.5 inches long and only weighs about 15.2 pounds. There are auxiliary top and front handles for more control and comfort, as well.
Of course, it also features a lower price point. This means you can go with a better blade or have multiple high-quality blades available.
FAQs
-
How Much Is a Skill Saw?
Skill saws are just the same as circular saws. Therefore, the prices are similar, too. They run anywhere from $80 to $450. Some cost, even more, based on the features and quality of the materials used for the circular saw and blade.
-
How Much Is a Circular Saw?
The best circular saws are going to cost more, but you also get more features, accessories, and value for the price you pay.
-
What’s a Worm Drive?
Worm drives have gear arrangements where a worm meshes with the gear. These elements are the worm screw and wheel.
-
What Is the Best Circular Saw?
Generally, you want a corded power tool to give you the most and best power possible. Look for something in the 15-amp range. Of course, we’re talking about the 10 1/4″ blade, but you can find others.
Consider these extras, as well:
- Cast magnesium saw
- footPower brake for stopping the blade fast
- Spindle lockWork
- lightsLaser guidelines
-
What Are Some Tips for Using a Circular Saw?
The best thing you can do is not be afraid of the machine. Though you want to be safe while using it, you can’t get the most from it if you’re a bit worried. It can take years to master this type of saw and figure out its many uses.
Still, you are in the trade of making things with wood and should not be left out of the loop:
- Don’t set your blade too deep. This can cause many problems. Firstly, it’s dangerous because more of the blade is now exposed. Plus, it could kick back and bind up.
- Set your blade depth before you cut. Hold it along the board with its blade guard retracted. Loosen the adjustment lever or knob, pivoting the saw base until the blade sticks out about half an inch past the board. Tighten it back up, and you’re ready to go.
- Allow any cutoff to fall freely. Make sure that the end of your board is free to fall off when you cut. Just be aware that the falling piece could take a bit of extra wood with it as you near the completion of it. To avoid such splintering, support your board at all times. Just don’t hold or clamp the cutoff piece.
- Support the plywood you’re cutting. Crosscutting your plywood without supporting it throughout the length could cause the plywood to splinter or tear, or the saw could bind. Use sawhorses with 2x4s for the best option.
- Don’t support the wood at both ends. When the cut is almost finished, the board is going to bow down, pinching the blade and causing the board or saw to buck. This is highly dangerous and could damage the board.
- Secure your board when making rip cuts. Though a table saw might be more appropriate here, a circular saw can be used when the cut doesn’t have to be exact. However, you should hold your board while cutting. Clamps often get in the way, so consider tacking the board to the sawhorse. Let the nails extend if you want or not. It is up to you. Consider using finish nails if you don’t want to damage the board itself.
- Hold your blade guard up while starting angled cuts. Most newer saws offer blade guards that retract when you’re working at an angle. Even so, it’s often easier to start the cut if you retract the guard first.
Final Verdict
The best circular saw in the 10 1/4″ variety is the Milwaukee 6470-21. It’s not the least expensive nor the most, but it is simple to operate and learn about. Therefore, if you’re slightly intimidated by the circular saw and are a novice, you can quickly learn.
It offers plenty of power and has a great rating from its many users. Though it isn’t cordless, we feel that it can create a low speed when using a battery. This way, you get the maximum power possible and can use it for all applications, big or small.