320 Section 4 Manufacturing Process Database
Circular Saws
When long, straight, or angular cuts are desired,
the circular saw is normally the preferred wood-
working machine. Circular sawing is a very versatile
process. Most wood manufacturing plants have at
least one of these machines.
However, the circular saw cannot do every-
thing. For example, circles cannot be made with this
saw without a special fixture. It is limited to making
straight cuts. This includes ripping, cutting off stock,
making dadoes and miters, and producing grooves.
Despite this limitation, the circular saw is still the
most important machine for separating wood
material.
There are many different types of circular
saws. The common table saw is the foundation for
all of these saws, and will be used here to convey
the basic process of circular sawing. Other types of
circular sawing are accomplished with machines
such as radial arm saws, cutoff saws, and panel saws.
Portable circular saws are extensively used in the
construction industry. See Figure 21-17.
On a table saw, the circular saw blade is mounted
on a horizontal shaft, called an arbor, located beneath
the center of the table. Single-arbor saws are most
common, and are often called variety saws, because
they can perform a number of tasks. Sometimes they
are referred to as cutoff saws, or cut saws. Another
type of circular saw commonly found on construction sites is the cutoff saw. A cutoff saw is mounted on a
pivot and is popular for cutting angles on framing
lumber. See Figure 21-18. Saws with two arbors (one
with a ripping blade mounted on it, the other with a
crosscut blade) are called universal saws.
Circular saws are sized by the diameter of the
blade. Common sizes for circular saws range from
7 1/4″ (18.4 cm) portable units and 8″ (20.3 cm) table-
top models to production machines with blades
16″ (40.6 cm) or more in diameter.
Before using the circular saw, the operator must
make a decision about the type of cut. If the cut
involves ripping the stock, this is normally accom-
plished using a fence. In Figure 21-19, the fence
can be seen to the operator’s right, with the board
snugged up securely against it.
When setting up the machine, the blade is raised
to the level necessary by turning a handwheel. If the
cut is to be made completely through the board, the
blade should be raised to a height just above the top
of the stock.
The fence is adjusted by releasing a locking lever,
Figure 21-17. Because of their ease of handling on the job
site, handheld portable electric circular saws are widely
used in the construction industry. Saws are available in
several different blade-size configurations, with the 7 1/4″
size shown here among the most widely used.
(Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation)
Figure 21-18. The cutoff saw is used on many construction
sites to quickly and accurately trim framing lumber to size.
For rafters and molding, precise angles can be set and cut
repeatedly. (Black and Decker)
Circular Saws
When long, straight, or angular cuts are desired,
the circular saw is normally the preferred wood-
working machine. Circular sawing is a very versatile
process. Most wood manufacturing plants have at
least one of these machines.
However, the circular saw cannot do every-
thing. For example, circles cannot be made with this
saw without a special fixture. It is limited to making
straight cuts. This includes ripping, cutting off stock,
making dadoes and miters, and producing grooves.
Despite this limitation, the circular saw is still the
most important machine for separating wood
material.
There are many different types of circular
saws. The common table saw is the foundation for
all of these saws, and will be used here to convey
the basic process of circular sawing. Other types of
circular sawing are accomplished with machines
such as radial arm saws, cutoff saws, and panel saws.
Portable circular saws are extensively used in the
construction industry. See Figure 21-17.
On a table saw, the circular saw blade is mounted
on a horizontal shaft, called an arbor, located beneath
the center of the table. Single-arbor saws are most
common, and are often called variety saws, because
they can perform a number of tasks. Sometimes they
are referred to as cutoff saws, or cut saws. Another
type of circular saw commonly found on construction sites is the cutoff saw. A cutoff saw is mounted on a
pivot and is popular for cutting angles on framing
lumber. See Figure 21-18. Saws with two arbors (one
with a ripping blade mounted on it, the other with a
crosscut blade) are called universal saws.
Circular saws are sized by the diameter of the
blade. Common sizes for circular saws range from
7 1/4″ (18.4 cm) portable units and 8″ (20.3 cm) table-
top models to production machines with blades
16″ (40.6 cm) or more in diameter.
Before using the circular saw, the operator must
make a decision about the type of cut. If the cut
involves ripping the stock, this is normally accom-
plished using a fence. In Figure 21-19, the fence
can be seen to the operator’s right, with the board
snugged up securely against it.
When setting up the machine, the blade is raised
to the level necessary by turning a handwheel. If the
cut is to be made completely through the board, the
blade should be raised to a height just above the top
of the stock.
The fence is adjusted by releasing a locking lever,
Figure 21-17. Because of their ease of handling on the job
site, handheld portable electric circular saws are widely
used in the construction industry. Saws are available in
several different blade-size configurations, with the 7 1/4″
size shown here among the most widely used.
(Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation)
Figure 21-18. The cutoff saw is used on many construction
sites to quickly and accurately trim framing lumber to size.
For rafters and molding, precise angles can be set and cut
repeatedly. (Black and Decker)