How to maintain a circular saw in the best conditions
To guarantee a long useful life for any tool, it is important to pay attention to its cleaning, replacement and adjustments, especially if it is a circular saw, since it is a precision machine that requires being in the best conditions to provide quality finishes. However, it is necessary to know how to carry out proper maintenance, especially if we want it to have a long useful life.
The best circular saws of 2022 are powerful and efficient tools for making cuts, which is why they are essential in a carpentry workshop. However, at the time of use it is possible that dust and wood residues accumulate, which by increasing the heat due to friction, make the cut more imprecise, resulting in defective or low-quality finishes.
The number of times and the frequency to clean a circular saw depends on the use you give it, since there is no regulation for its maintenance, nor an exact period of time to verify its condition. Now, it is good to take into account some aspects for greater efficiency, such as the importance of cleaning the cutting blade, the most recommended cleaning implements and practices that you should avoid during cleaning.
Cutter Blade Maintenance
A dull, dirty, or damaged blade can be more dangerous than a new one, as the motor often has less control over it and could shorten its life. Therefore, the most important thing to consider for the maintenance of a circular saw is to check the state of the cutting disc, since it is the fundamental piece of this machine.
If you use the tool occasionally for specific projects, then it is recommended to clean it two or three times a year. However, you should check the condition of it to confirm that it is still functional, this can be achieved by examining the tips of the teeth of the disc.
If the teeth are dull and you have a circular saw with a smooth steel blade, you can restore the sharpness with the use of a triangular metal file, while if the blade is made of hard steel it must be sharpened professionally. In the event that the tips are broken, rusty or very dull, it is best to purchase a new blade to avoid inconveniences and work with poor finishes.
Useful products to clean a circular saw
Although these tools are made with different materials, it is possible to maintain them with simple household cleaners, even many of these can be made by hand. One of the favorites for carpenters are detergents that have citrus fruits, since they normally work to clean the casings and surfaces of different tools and later the house, which means a great advantage of use.
In the event that you want to use these types of substances to clean the metal or steel blade, it is common to find cleaning detergents for circular saws in woodworking and hardware stores. In general, the household cleaners recommended for the maintenance of woodworking tools have Easy Off, which is a multipurpose component with a concentrated cleaner and degreaser, it is also non-toxic and was originally used to clean industrial machinery.
If the ventilation slots are clogged by dust or grease, you should only remove the dirt with a dry brush with soft bristles, trying at all times to move the dust away from the slots and not push it inwards. You can also use the brush to remove dust from the blade and other parts of the casing. Also, it is practical to use a damp towel for the same task and even to clean the power cable.
Prohibitions when cleaning a circular saw
It is important that you do not go overboard when using a cleaning detergent, so you should lightly moisten a towel with the liquid and then slide it down the saw, however, it is advisable not to clean the cutting disc with any cleaner, as some may be abrasive.
Similarly, it is important not to wet the inside of the tool under any circumstances, since the water could damage its mechanism and sulfate some of its electrical parts, which are generally delicate to maintain and require professional treatment if they are damaged. affected.
However, the dirt on the surface is not the only aspect that may need attention and revision, but also the screws and parts of its structure. In this case, you can do a quick check before turning on the machine and adjust the screws if necessary.
You should not use any type of wire brush or sponge to clean the circular saw, as this could cause scratches and irreparable damage to the surface of the machine and the blade. Instead, you can use nylon utensils.
To extend the useful life of the tool, you should avoid overheating, caused by keeping the blade for long periods of time on very hard wood, as this can break the tips of the disc and they could be thrown towards you or another person.
Things to consider before using a circular saw
If it has been a long time since you last used it, before turning on the machine it is advisable to clean it completely, since it is a tool that depends on its maintenance to guarantee the best results. Circular saws incorporate a screw to adjust the cutting angle, it is necessary that this is correctly leveled to avoid incorrect movements.
Afterwards, it is advisable to verify that the casing that covers the cutting blade opens and closes correctly, likewise, the screw that holds the disc must be firmly tightened, in this way you will avoid accidental detachments and you will feel safer during the work day..
The next step is to check the condition of the power cable, taking care that it is not stripped or bent. In addition, the on and off switches must work optimally, as this way we can stop the motor when necessary. Lastly, it is necessary to turn on the motor and check that it is working correctly, as well as that the speeds are activated.
