How To Make A Plunge Cut With A Circular Saw
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If you want to cut through materials cleanly and not damage the edges, it is important to learn how to make plunge cuts. Although it might seem complicated, you will soon be able to use a circular saw to accomplish it.
In this brief guide, our team of woodworkers will guide you how to make circular saw plunge cuts for your next construction project!
Four Plunge Cut Steps With A Circular Saw
Tools And Materials
Before starting anything, make sure to get the following materials ready:
- Clamps
- Circular saw
- Combination square or a speed square
- Any marker or pencil
Once the materials are ready, you can now proceed with the steps.
Step #1: Measure And Draw The Lines
Before you do anything else, mark the line where the cutting will be made on your workpiece’s surface. First measure the area and then mark it.
This is important before you cut. Once you begin the plunge cut, you will not be able to make adjustments. Thus, make sure to mark the line as accurately as possible.
Step #2: Adjust The Blade Depth
Next, adjust the depth of cut of your circular saw to extend the blade about a quarter inch beyond the base your workpiece.
This will allow the circular saw to function efficiently and protect any woodwork underneath it from being damaged by its blade.
In some cases, you may not want to completely cut through the wood to make a plunge cut. In this case, we suggest making certain that you set the correct plunge depth.
Step #3: Set The Saw In Position
If you want to ensure that your plunge cut is entirely straight, we suggest drawing a line thats perpendicular to the surface you are cutting on.
This will be your circular saw guide. You are going to rotate the saw blade into the workpiece by rotating it into that line and using it as your pivot point.
To do this, you need to align the tip of your saw with this line. You can use either a combination or speed square to indicate this line.
Place the circular saw so the front touches the line that you have drawn parallel to the workpiece. The rest of the circular see is suspended above it.
When you are ready to make the plunge cut, pull the blade guard of the saw back and place it securely so that it cannot move forward during the cutting process.
Step #4: Start Cutting
The objective of this step is to rotate the saw so that the cutting edge is facing forward to completely penetrate the material.
Take a firm grip on the circular saw using both of your hands, engage the trigger, and push the blade slowly into the surface of the workpiece. Continue this process until your shoe touches the surface.
At this stage of the cut, the blade has already penetrated right through the wood, thereby finishing the action of the plunge cut.
Once you have taken the first plunge, you can continue to cut as necessary.
Quick Tip: You can use a circular saw to cut square and rectangular holes. However, you should be careful with the corners. We suggest using a hand saw to continue the edges rather than using a circular saw.
FAQ
Is a plunge saw the same as a circular saw?
A plunge saw is different from a circular saw. They are two different types of power saws. Plunge saws can become your go-to tool for straight cuts of any kind and depth, while the circular saw is a universal tool for many different projects.
Conclusion
This guide will show you how to make circular saw plunge cuts. You don’t necessarily need a plungesaw to make a plunge cut.
You can use a circular saw as well to make the necessary cuts. This type of cut is often required when building cabinets or trimming doors.
