No hardware store or home improvement store can afford not to stock circular saws. Circular saws make cutting wood easy. Circular saws can also cut metal, masonry and concrete with special blades. Circular saws complete a basic tool kit for industrial applications.

Construction companies need a variety of tools, including circular saws. Furniture manufacturers use circular saws for basic cutting. Some types of decorative woodworking rely on circular saws. Demolition companies can’t function without heavy-duty circular saws. The circular saw you choose depends on the job, and the same saw might handle different cutting surfaces, so be sure to stock the different blades. Building contractors and tradesmen purchase circular saws and other power tools for industrial applications and should always look for heavy duty, durable power hand tools, to avoid compromising the quality of their work; not to mention the frustration of using inadequate tools. Before deciding what to stock, analyze the business climate in your area to see what demand for products you might encounter.

Before choosing a circular saw:

1. Define the purposes of the circular saws you need.

2. Compare several cordless circular saws and the manufacturers. Decide which brands of cordless saws can handle heavy use. Pay special attention to the chargers – how long does it take to charge the tool. Does the manufacturer include extra batteries with their circular saws?

3. Find corded circular saws that have the power to do the job. Professionals and do-it-yourslfe customers alike demand durability and quality in all their power tools.

4. Look at special accessories available for circular saws. Carry a full assortment of blades and batteries.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider the many uses for circular saws

Numerous websites provide circular saws information. Retailers have options for standard circular saws for ordinary use. Industrial users, such as construction companies, require more powerful equipment than furniture builders who do intricate woodwork.

I recommend: This Old House website offers information on various functions and uses of circular saws, including various models of saws and their best uses. Lowe's provides information for buying saws, including the pros and cons of each.

Find cordless circular saws

Once you have researched the possible uses of circular saws, narrow the focus of your search. Consumers demand cordless circular saws more often for convenience and their lighter weight. Such saws have different sizes and types of batteries and are appropriate for cutting only certain types of materials.

I recommend: Find circular saws at ToolBarn, which sells a number of different cordless tools, including the Milwaukee 0740-22 saw. This saw has 28-volt power that drives 3600 rpm, with a battery charge meter. The HeavyDuty Store carries the DeWALT DC310K that provides a bit more power at 3850 rpm with a phosphate lithium ion battery for a longer charge. Grainger Industrial Supply compiles a circular saws list of available brands. Hybrid Manufacturing Corporation makes a new gas-powered saw that has the convenience of a cordless saw but with more power. The company is taking preorders for their Hybrid and estimate a delivery date of 90-120 days after order.

Choose from many name brands of corded circular saws

Though cordless circular saws have their advantages, corded saws do too. Corded saws tend to have more power and larger blades. These saws stand up better to heavy duty usage, and you never have to worry about recharging a battery in the middle of a job.

I recommend: Circular saws provider Milwaukee Electric Tool sells a complete line of corded circular saws. The Milwaukee 6460 has a 10 ¼- inch blade and cuts up to 5200 rpm. Ebuild carries the Ryobi CSB140LZK. This saw has a smaller 7 ¼-inch blade but cuts at 5500 rpm. This saw has a laser guide for accurate cutting. Tyler Tools maintains a large inventory of corded circular saws by various manufacturers such as Makita, DeWALT, Porter Cable and others.

Choose accessories for circular saws

Circular saws require new blades periodically, depending on usage, and you may need specialty blades for different applications and projects. Other accessories enhance the saw's efficiency and protect the user from injury.

I recommend: Tool Center has good information on circular saw blades. Skil Tools carries a number of single and multiple blade combinations. Irwin Industrial Tools supplies single circular saw blades. Tools-Plus.com offers a variety of accessories for circular saws including cutting guides, splinter guards and special cutting tables.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The rechargeable batteries on cordless circular saws need recharging frequently, so it's a good idea to have several extra batteries and a charger on hand. When buying a cordless circular saw, select one that uses the same battery that you have on other cordless power tools, so that the batteries are interchangeable.
• •  Businesses selling these tools must know the dangers of using them, so they can pass on safety tips to their customers. Circular saws can kick up particles so wearing goggles protects the eyes. Sellers should stock safety gear for using the tools they sell.