Professional craftsmen who regularly perform a lot of carpentry-related work need to use stationary saws frequently. However, for hobbyists, a mini circular saw is suitable. It is compact in size and easier to use. Before you buy such a tool, you need to familiarize yourself with its main features.
Mini-circular - a compact tool for woodworking
Design and operating principle
The design of the mini-circular saw consists of the following components:
- Sawing disc. This is the most basic component that is responsible for sawing materials. It is equipped with sharp teeth that can handle both iron and wood.
- Electric motor. It is responsible for rotating the disk while the circular machine is operating.
- Safety cover. It is installed on the body to protect human hands from damage.
- Handles. Used as holders. Most often, saws are equipped with two handles. However, some models of mini circulars have only one.
Additional Information! Sometimes expensive saws are equipped with a device for adjusting the angle of inclination. With its help you can change the position of the device.
Battery models
Cordless models work without being connected to the network.
Today there are a considerable number of different hand-held mini-circular saws. However, rechargeable devices equipped with special batteries are especially popular. Such circular machines do not require a network connection and are great for working outdoors.
A serious drawback of battery-powered devices is low power. They are only suitable for wood processing. At the same time, when working with hard types of wood, it is better to use network saws.
TOP 4 best mini circular (circular) saws by price/quality for 2021
Makita HS301DZ
Reliable tool with excellent build quality . Resistant to loads
and is suitable for both domestic and professional use.
The cordless model runs for an hour on a full charge - excellent results for a tool with a large blade and kerf.
Sold together with a stand that allows you to change the angle of inclination, but the battery and charger are not included..
However, this issue can be resolved quite easily, especially if you already have any other tool from the brand in the house - the saw works great on batteries from a screwdriver.
It is equipped with a comfortable ergonomic handle, and thanks to its light weight it is comfortable to hold in your hands for a long time.
Specifications:
- Construction: manual;
- Battery operation: yes;
- Cutting height: 26 mm;
- Disc/bore diameter: 85/15 mm;
- Tilt angle: 45 degrees.
pros
- ergonomics;
- bed;
- replaceable battery;
- build quality
Minuses
- no battery included;
- speed is not adjustable.
Makita HS301DWAE
The small saw is equipped with an ergonomically designed rubberized handle, due to which ease of use increases significantly.
The low weight also contributes to ease of use, allowing the tool to be used with one hand. Powered by a battery that lasts for an hour of continuous operation.
High productivity is ensured by torque speed and cutting height.
Safety is ensured by the locking device from turning on and the working area airflow system, which not only removes sawdust, but also prevents it from entering the mechanism of the device.
Specifications:
- Construction: manual;
- Battery operation: yes;
- Cutting height: 25.5 mm;
- Disc/bore diameter: 85/15 mm;
- Tilt angle: 45 degrees.
pros
- ergonomics;
- light weight;
- quiet operation;
- clean cut
Minuses
- there is no jamming protection system;
- price.
BOSCH UniversalCirc 12 0
A lightweight household circular saw works well for cutting wood, plastic, ceramics and other materials, but does not work with laminate.
It is powered by a battery, the charge of which usually lasts for an hour and a half of continuous operation.
The adjustable cutting angle greatly simplifies the work; at a right angle the maximum cutting height is ensured, but at an angle of 45 degrees it is reduced to 17 mm.
The ergonomics are thought out to the smallest detail - the start button is conveniently located, the handle is rubberized, and the weight of the device is relatively light. The saw is protected from accidental activation.
Specifications:
- Construction: manual;
- Battery operation: yes;
- Cutting height: 26 mm;
- Disc/bore diameter: 85/15 mm;
- Tilt angle: 45 degrees.
pros
- ergonomics;
- ease of maintenance;
- performance;
- power.
Minuses
- The disc is not suitable for laminate flooring.
BOSCH GKS 12V-26 0 box
Powerful with a small size and weight, the saw has high reliability due to high-quality components and assembly.
Powered by a battery (not included), easily replaceable. The battery is fully consistent with that of drills and screwdrivers of the same brand.
It has a deep cut, a clean cut and a built-in vacuum cleaner, eliminating the need to collect sawdust after work..
An additional bonus is the presence of backlighting, which simplifies small-volume work and when lighting is imperfect.
Easily copes with chipboard, plywood, fiberboard, laminate and even tiles . It is also characterized by a low noise level during operation.
Specifications:
- Construction: manual;
- Battery operation: yes;
- Cutting height: 27 mm;
- Disc/bore diameter: 85/15 mm;
- Tilt angle: 45 degrees.
pros
- depth of cut;
- clean cut;
- built-in vacuum cleaner and lighting;
- high-quality assembly.
Minuses
- no battery or charger included;
- one operating speed.
Characteristics of circular saws
When choosing a saw, you need to pay attention to its characteristics:
- Power. This setting affects the overall performance of the device. It is recommended to buy models no weaker than 350 W.
- Disk rotation speed. It is necessary to choose products that provide high speeds. This will improve the quality of the cut.
- Cutting depth. It is necessary that the working disk deepens by 50 mm.
You also need to take into account the cutting angle. It should vary from 0 to 45 degrees.
Specifications
As a rule, small circular saws are classified as lightweight tools, and therefore have rather modest qualities:
- Power – the cleanliness of cutting and overall productivity directly depend on this parameter. The nominal value for this category of saws varies between 400-800 W. This is enough for sawing thin strips and plywood.
- Rotation speed of the working disk - this characteristic will affect the quality of the cut. At high speeds, for example, cutting plastic will be ineffective, because the material being processed will begin to melt. But when working with wood, the rotation speed can be increased. In the case of working on metal, again the frequency will need to be lowered, because the cut may be uneven. This suggests a certain conclusion - it is better to have a model in which the rotation speed can be manually adjusted.
- Cutting depth - this property is directly influenced by the size of the disc and the very features of the protective casing. It often happens that saws with the same diameter of the working saw blade cut the part with different depths. The nominal characteristics are as follows: with a disk diameter of 65 millimeters, the cutting depth will not exceed 50 millimeters (the missing 15 millimeters will be limited by the casing).
- Variability of the cutting angle - this function is provided in many models of modern mini-circular saws; usually, it is set within 0-45 degrees. Although, most masters, both professionals and amateurs, do not often use this option. Therefore, it seems inappropriate to rely on its mandatory presence when purchasing an instrument.
Existing types
A hand saw is considered the most convenient.
People who are interested in a mini-circular saw should familiarize themselves with the main types of such tools in advance.
Manual
Manual models are considered the most common. Most often they are purchased for use at home. Among their main advantages are the following:
- the ability to cut metals with a soft structure;
- wood cutting;
- compactness.
Important! A manual mini-circular is not suitable for working with very durable materials.
Disk
Such products have a complicated design. Their main element is a saw blade used for processing iron and wood products.
Disc models are equipped with a powerful electric motor. He is responsible for the operation of the structure. It is recommended to buy such circulars for people who will use them regularly. If a person rarely uses a saw, you can purchase a simpler model.
Tabletop
Tabletop models are used extremely rarely.
Small circular saws can be made in the form of tabletop models. However, such products are not particularly popular. The fact is that these circular saws are less compact and mobile. For them you will have to prepare a special desktop. This puts many people off and therefore they are much more likely to buy hand or circular saws.
Rechargeable
If you have to work a lot outdoors, you need to use battery-powered products. Such saws can operate for 4-5 hours without recharging due to the installed battery. However, such models are only suitable for wood processing.
Distinctive properties of miniature saws
Their main purpose is to work with wooden blanks of relatively small dimensions. In particular, they specialize in the following tasks:
- Sawing wood along and across the grain;
- Cutting of any wooden parts, including MDF, laminate/plywood and chipboard;
- Cutting thin and soft metal.
The devices themselves have several main distinctive features:
- Small sizes of units;
- Relatively small weight - up to 2 kilograms;
- Small size of the working disk;
- Limited depth of possible cut.
Based on the above characteristics, the small saw is optimal for operations with soft metal profiles or for using wood of small thickness at home.
What are the additional features?
Tabletop and hand-held mini-circulars can be equipped with additional functions. These include:
- Immersion cutting. Such models are capable of sawing products not only from the edge, but also from the middle. At the same time, they allow you to do this to a depth of 2-3 centimeters.
- Smooth launch. This function smoothly increases the speed of the working disk.
- Built-in vacuum cleaner. Some models independently clean the workplace from sawdust, collecting them in a separate container.
- Spindle lock. Using this function, you can manually lock the disk from rotating.
Additional Information! Some models are equipped with a laser sight. It helps make a smoother cut.
Home workshop machine
BUY ON ALIEXPRESS -40%
Cost - US $34.99
A machine for a home workshop, measuring 32 by 6.5 by 7 centimeters. Machine power 100 Watt. It can be used to process small-sized products, grind cylindrical and conical parts, trim ends, grind, drill, cut external and internal threads, and other work. The speed is adjusted using the voltage increase switch on the power supply.
Selection of disks
The diameter information is often located above the blade hole.
It is very important that the correct blade is selected for the electric handheld mini circular saw. There are several criteria that must be taken into account when selecting a part.
Outside diameter
When choosing a circular saw blade, you need to pay attention to its outer diameter. It is necessary that it corresponds to the parameters of the material that will be processed on the circular saw. To determine the diameter of the circle, you need to carefully examine the inscriptions on the front. Most often, the dimensions of the disk are indicated there.
Important! It is not recommended to buy blades that are too large for weak cordless circular saws. The fact is that the motor may not be able to cope with them and become severely overloaded due to increased load.
Bore hole diameter
Due to the fact that the circles differ from each other in their sizes, the diameter of the nozzle holes can also be different. It is recommended to select blades that match the model of circular saw being used. Therefore, it is necessary to find out the diameter of the nozzle in advance and only then start choosing a circle.
To make sure you don’t make a mistake with the diameter, you can go to the store with a manual circular saw. Perhaps the seller will allow you to try on the disc and make sure that it really fits.
Prong parameters
The length of the teeth affects the quality of the cut.
Discs may differ in teeth. Some of them are equipped with large teeth. They are suitable for straight and rough cutting. When using such wheels, the sawing process does not last long. If you have to work with non-hard wood, you can use wheels with small teeth. Such fine-toothed products cope with cutting planks and plywood without any problems.
Wireless mini engraver
BUY ON ALIEXPRESS -23%
Cost - US $11.07
A cordless cordless mini engraver is a tool designed for grinding and engraving work on various materials when using the appropriate equipment. The model is made in a small case that fits well in the hand and allows you to do jewelry processes and work with small details. The drill operates in 3 speed modes: from five to fifteen thousand revolutions per minute. Light indicators of the selected operating speed are displayed on the housing.
How to choose a mini circular saw
Many people are interested in how to choose a circular saw for their home. There are several tips to help you choose the right tool:
- Checking characteristics. It is imperative to pay attention to the parameters of the instrument you are purchasing.
- Selection of famous models. It is better to give preference to companies that have proven themselves in the circular saw market.
- Read the comments. Before buying this or that device, you should definitely read customer reviews. With their help you can find out how high quality the circular is.
Important! Before purchasing, you need to check the functionality of the saw.
Miniature analogue of a table circular saw
BUY ON ALIEXPRESS -30%
Cost - US $76.81
A miniature analogue of a table saw is a machine designed for cutting small workpieces, which is why it is the main tool in the work of modellers. The design is simple and consists of a table measuring 230 by 180 by 83 millimeters with a motor and belt. The kit includes two disks, a pair of hexagons and guides, including a protractor, protective screens and a power supply with positional adjustment of the output voltage to change the speed.
Rating of the best models
To choose a suitable saw, you need to read the ratings and reviews of the best models.
Economy class
If you have a limited budget, you should choose an economy class model. Such devices include the following:
- Black + Decker CS1250L. An inexpensive option for working in a house or apartment. Suitable for cutting wood.
- DeWalt DWE560. A budget circular saw that is suitable for sawing durable wood.
- Dexter 1300 mini. Ideal option for beginners. The diameter of the blade is 180 mm, which allows you to saw even durable materials.
Important! The cost of the described models is 10-15 thousand rubles.
Middle segment
There are several circular machines in the middle price segment that are suitable for home use:
- BOSCH GKS. Battery model, used for outdoor work.
- Metabo KS 55. A powerful corded circular saw that can even saw ceramic structures.
- Einhell TC-CS 860. Multifunctional model, which can be used to cut laminate, ceramics or plastic.
Additional Information! The main disadvantage of battery models is their short operating time. They will have to be recharged every 2-4 hours.
Semi-professional
Makita HS301DWAE is one of the best circular saws.
The Sturm CS50190 model is considered a good circular saw. It is equipped with a huge number of additional functions. Sturm copes well with durable materials.
The semi-professional model Makita HS301DWAE has also proven itself well. With its help you can process any materials.
Rules for working with a mini hand saw
There are several recommendations that must be followed when using a circular saw:
- you need to wear goggles and gloves to protect your hands;
- Do not turn off the tool under load;
- every 10 minutes you need to turn off the device to cool the motor;
- You only need to watch the cut from above;
- Do not use the saw outside during snow or rain.
A mini circular saw is a tool that is often used when cutting wood products. People who want to buy a circular saw should understand in advance the features of such products and the rating of the models.
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