Thread: a circular saw to cut hardwood?

Where about in Melb are you? I could cut to size in my workshop if your over Braeside way.

Originally Posted by markwearspants

I'm looking for a circular saw that can cut 26mm Tasmanian Oak. I bought a couple tas oak bench tops that I want to cut down to make some coffee tables and side tables. Bunnings did a "one off" for me and cut it down so it would fit in my car but said they won't do it again. any suggestions? I have a couple things from the ryobi 1+ range and was looking at the circular saw in the range but i fear it won't make the cut (pardon the pun).

example of the wood I'm using on a table I already assembled
small.jpg

If your going to use it just for the table tops i would purchase a cheap corded one and get a decent blade. If your going to use it on other projects i would spend out a bit more and get some thing that will last. I look for an aluminium base plate and not a flimsy pressed one. Corded will always beat a cordless on power, for quick simple jobs like cutting down doors or 4x2's i use my Bosch cordless but it doesn't beat my corded Makita for anything over this. Don't over look the correct blade as this makes a load of difference. Regards Paul

Originally Posted by fubar

Where about in Melb are you? I could cut to size in my workshop if your over Braeside way.

I'm in the north west suburbs. Bit of a hike for me

Thanks though very generous to offer

Pretty much any of the saws in the 185mm range will do the job.

Bunnings have a couple of the Makitas which come with two or three blades under $150. Makita blades are Tungsten Carbide Tipped and you'll get a fair bit of mileage from them before you need to re sharpen or replace.

Powered rail saws will perform best: greater accuracy, less waste & less finishing required.

All other things being equal the greater the tooth count the better the finish on crosscuts, & the slower the ripcut.