The First Power Tool You Should Buy (And Why It's Not a Table Saw)
When I first started woodworking, I was intimidated. I thought I needed a massive table saw, a jointer, and a planer just to build a simple box. I let the "tool envy" stop me from starting.
I was wrong. The truth is, the most versatile tool in my shop isn't the big stationary machine in the center—it's the handheld circular saw tucked in the drawer.
""Don't let the table saw snobs fool you. A circular saw and a straight edge can build almost anything.""
Take my Hidden Bookcase Door project. It required breaking down heavy 4x8 sheets of plywood. Trying to wrestle a full sheet onto a table saw by myself would have been dangerous and inaccurate. With a circular saw, I brought the tool to the wood, not the wood to the tool. It was safer, easier, and just as precise.
The 'Poor Man's Track Saw' Hack
The biggest myth is that circular saws are only for rough carpentry. That's only true if you freehand it.
If you clamp a straight edge (like a level or a factory-cut piece of plywood) to your workpiece, your circular saw becomes a precision instrument. You can get cuts that rival a $3,000 panel saw.
This technique is how I cut the long, straight structural components for my Barn Beam Light Fixture. The beam was too heavy to move easily, so I used the circular saw to trim the mounting cleat right on the workbench.
A Brief History of the Circular Saw
We often take this tool for granted, but its invention was a revolutionary moment in woodworking history. And we likely have a Shaker woman named Tabitha Babbitt to thank for it.
In the early 1800s, Babbitt observed men struggling with the two-man pit saw (a long, straight saw moved back and forth). She realized that half the motion was wasted effort. She attached a circular blade to her spinning wheel, creating the prototype for the modern circular saw.
Fast forward to 1923, and Edmond Michel invented the first electric hand saw (the "Skilsaw") in New Orleans. He wanted to help sugar cane workers cut through tough stalks. His invention made the power of the sawmill portable, changing construction forever.
So when you pick up your circular saw, remember: you're holding a tool born from the desire to work smarter, not harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
For breaking down sheet goods (plywood), absolutely. In fact, it's often safer and more accurate for a solo woodworker. For small, repetitive rip cuts, a table saw is faster, but a circular saw with a guide is surprisingly capable.
A sidewinder (motor on the side) is lighter and spins faster—great for general use. A worm drive (motor behind the blade) has more torque and is heavier—ideal for framing and cutting wet lumber. For most DIYers, a sidewinder is perfect.
Clamp a straight board (like a factory edge of plywood) to your workpiece. Measure the distance from your blade to the edge of the saw's base plate, and offset your guide board by that amount. Run the saw base against the guide for a perfect cut.
If you're working in a shop, corded gives you endless power for cheaper. But modern 18V/20V cordless saws are incredible. If you're already in a battery ecosystem (like Ryobi or DeWalt), go cordless.