Circular Power Saws - How To Choose And Use Safely

Any portable saw you buy for your home or shop should be capable of cutting a 2 x 4 piece of wood at a 45-degree angle. In general, saws that have a blade diameter of 7 or more inches are good choices. Using a saw safely should be of primary importance. In this article I'll cover the basics on saw selection and safety practices.

5 1 2 Circular Saw

A number of considerations have a bearing on your decision when buying a circular saw. Do you want powered or cordless? Does the saw come equipped with a depth adjustment, which enables you to make shallow cuts when required; an angled adjustment for cutting miters and bevels; and a ripping fence, which guides the saw when you want to rip a board to a specific width? It should have an automatic spring-loaded blade guard that retracts as the blade enters the work area, and then covers the exposed part of the blade as soon as the cut has been completed.

5 1 2 Circular Saw

Since most present-day saws have all these features, your final choice often depends on how conveniently a saw operates and how easily the adjustments are made. Another major consideration should be the weight of the tool. Think about how long you intend to use it in any one stretch of time. Large-sized adjustment nuts are a worthy consideration, as is an easy-to-grip handle on the blade guard. In addition to the saw handle, which contains the trigger starting switch, a knob on the end of the motor housing is convenient as an extra handle for awkward situations. This feature is not essential with smaller saws.

Safety Practices

When using any portable saw, always be sure that the work to be cut is firmly supported, or held, so that it will not shift during the cut. Start the saw before the blade enters the work and guide it straight along the cutting line. Veering can cause jamming, stalling, possible motor damage, or even worse the entire tool may jump or hop out of the wood creating the possibility of a serious injury. Be especially careful not to let the saw veer when using a masonry-cutting blade. Blade breakage could result and the flying shrapnel may cause injury. If a long piece of wood is to be cut, it should be supported by a helper. It must not be moved during the cut in such a way as to close the cut and bind the blade. Keep a firm grip on the saw with your right hand, and keep your left hand well away from the saw. Make certain also that the cord is well out of the way so it will not be cut by the blade.

Maintain a strong grip on the saw to keep it from tipping or dropping at the end of the cut. Keep your hands clear of the blade during the time required for it to come to a complete stop. It's also a good idea not to touch the blade immediately after it stops as it's probably hot enough to burn you. Never adjust the saw without first disconnecting the power cord.

Picking the right circular saw is largely a matter of personal choice. Using the tool safely is a matter of common sense. Pick wisely and use it even more wisely.

Circular Power Saws - How To Choose And Use Safely
5 1 2 Circular Saw

Special Price!!! Freud LU91R008 8-1/2-Inch 48 Tooth ATB Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating

Freud LU91R008 8-1/2-Inch 48 Tooth ATB Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating
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Freud LU91R008 8-1/2-Inch 48 Tooth ATB Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating

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Freud LU91R008 8-1/2-Inch 48 Tooth ATB Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating Feature

  • 8-1/2-inch diameter
  • 48 teeth
  • 5/8-inch arbor
  • Five degree negative hook prevents blade from being too aggressive


Freud LU91R008 8-1/2-Inch 48 Tooth ATB Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating Overview

This thin kerf industrial blade provides a superior finish cut with sliding compound miter saws. The 5 degrees negative hook angle helps prevent the blade from being too aggressive and pushes the workpiece down and towards the fence. Thin kerf blades remove less material than standard carbide blades, thus requiring less horsepower to produce equally good results. 5/8" arbor .090 kerf

Freud LU91R008 8-1/2-Inch 48 Tooth ATB Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating Specifications

Ideal for use with sliding compound miter saws and radial arm saws, the 8-1/2-inch Freud LU91R008 Thin Kerf Sliding Compound Miter Saw Blade offers easy feeding, reduced waste, and the ability to achieve fine finishes with underpowered saws. It features 48 teeth with alternating top bevels and TiCo high-density carbide tips, negative hook angles for maximum control, and Freud's insulating, Perma-SHIELD coating.

Freud Logo
LU91R008 Thin Kerf Sliding Compound Miter Saw Blade
LU91R008
At a Glance:

  • Ideal for crosscutting materials 1/2 to 2-3/4 inches thick
  • Heavy-duty plate with laser-cut, anti-vibration slots
  • Tough Perma-SHIELD coating reduces friction and heat buildup
Technical Specs:
CoatingPerma-SHIELD
Diameter8 1/2"
Teeth48 ATB
Arbor5/8"
Kerf (K).090
Plate (P).071
Depth of Cut
Depth of Cut
Recommended Use and Cut Quality
Negative Hook AngleNegative Hook Angle minimizes climbing for better control
Thin KerfThin Kerf requires less power and allows for faster feed rate
Negative Hook Angle for Fine Finishes with Sliding Miter Saws
This thin kerf blade's 48-tooth alternating-top-bevel (ATB) configuration features teeth that face both left and right. The blade's teeth also feature five-degree, negative hook angles, which helps prevent the blade from being too aggressive. This configuration also works to push your work piece down and towards the fence of your saw for smooth, accurate feeding. And because thin-kerf blades remove less material than standard carbide blades, they require less horsepower to produce smooth, accurate results when cutting.

This blade is designed for optimal performance when crosscutting wood that is 1/2 to 2-3/4 inches thick, and it also performs well in laminate. This blade can also rip wood or be used with chipboard and plywood, and it can tackle thinner or thicker materials. However, some loss of surface finish may occur when it is used outside its ideal range. It has a 5/8-inch arbor and produces a 0.090 kerf.

Well-Balanced, Anti-Vibration Design
This Freud blade is precision balanced and pretensioned for truer cuts under heavy loads. It also features laser-cut, anti-vibration slots that reduce chatter for a cleaner finish, longer blade life, and reduced noise while you work. And because the entire blade is laser cut from high-strength steel, you can trust that it will stay stable, flat, and true, even after prolonged use. Furthermore, this well-balanced, anti-vibration design means there's no need to use add-on stabilizers with this blade.

High-Density Carbide for Maximum Cutting Performance
This thin-kerf saw blade's 48 teeth are finished with tips made from Freud's application-specific TiCo high-density carbide "crosscut blend." Formulated to help the blade maintain a sharp cutting edge in the face of demanding crosscut applications, this blend is extra hard--due to including more high-density tungsten carbide than other TiCo blends--and it still offers the full mix of improved corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and impact resistance that you expect from TiCo.

With teeth that start out sharper and deliver improved edge retention, the blade can go longer between sharpening, and will hold up longer--saving you time and money.

Perma-SHIELD Coating Reduces Friction and Heat Buildup
Built to withstand tough use in less-than-ideal conditions, this blade is finished with Freud's red Perma-SHIELD--a non-stick coating that reduces friction and nearly eliminates the heat buildup that excess friction can cause. By providing complete thermal insulation, this coating protects your tools and your work surface. And it resists binding when the blade is used for large-volume cutting applications, which reduces blade warp.

As a lubricating feature, Perma-SHIELD allows the blade to spin freely while reducing stress on the motor and carriage of your saw. In addition, this coating helps prevent debris collection and resin or "pitch" buildup. Since gummy pitch buildup causes extra drag on the motor of your saw, less buildup is another little convenience that translates into longer tool life and longer blade life. It also means less downtime for blade cleaning, so you get jobs done faster.

This industrial saw blade is backed by Freud's limited lifetime warranty.

About Freud: A History of Innovative Manufacturing
An industry leader for more than 50 years, Freud America, Inc. is a manufacturer and marketer of superior carbide cutting tools for the woodworking industry. Freud is one of the few manufacturers of woodworking tools in the world that produces its own MicroGrain Carbide with Titanium, called TiCo, a high-density combination of Titanium and Cobalt.

By producing their own carbide, Freud has the unique ability to formulate each tool for each specific application, thereby maximizing the cutting life and performance of the tool. Freud's full line of high-quality, woodworking tools includes saw blades, router bits, shaper cutters, power tools, and more.

What's in the Box
Freud LU91R008 Thin Kerf Sliding Miter Saw Blade--8-1/2-inch diameter, 5/8-inch arbor, 48-tooth design.

Carbide Grade Chart



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Freud LU91R008 8-1/2-Inch 48 Tooth ATB Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor and PermaShield Coating

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