Editing Circular saw (section)

==Hand-held circular saws for wood==
[[File:Timber Framing Circular Saw.jpg|thumb|An unusually large hand-held circular saw for cutting timbers with a roughly {{convert|16|in|abbr=on}} blade.]]
In woodworking the term circular saw is most commonly used to refer to a hand-held, [[electric]] circular saw designed for cutting wood, but may be used for cutting other materials with different blades. Circular saws can be either left or right-handed, depending on the side of the blade where the motor sits. A left-handed saw is typically easier to use if held in the right hand, and contrariwise for the right-handed saw, because the user does not need to lean across the saw to see the cutting line.

Blades for cutting wood are almost universally [[tungsten carbide]] tipped (TCT), but high-speed steel (HSS) blades are also available. The saw base can be adjusted for depth of cut and can tilt up to 45° and sometimes 50° in relation to the blade. Adjusting the depth of cut helps minimize kickback. Different diameter blades are matched to each saw and are available ranging from {{convert|14|to(-)|61|cm|in}}.

Saws can have two different types of linkages between the motor and the blade. In the type known colloquially as a ''sidewinder'', the blade is mounted directly on the [[Electric motor|motor]]'s [[driveshaft]]. In a ''worm-drive'' saw, the blade is driven by a perpendicularly mounted motor using [[worm gear]]s, which give higher torque.

The worm-drive portable circular saw was invented in 1923 by Edmond Michel. In 1924 Michel formed a partnership with Joseph Sullivan, and together they started the [[Michel Electric Handsaw Company]], with the sole purpose of manufacturing and marketing the saw invented by Michel. The company later renamed itself [[Skilsaw Inc.]] Portable circular saws are often still called Skilsaws or Skil saws. Its successor is still sold by Skil as the model 77. To get around the Skilsaw patents, [[Art Emmons]] of [[Porter-Cable]] invented the direct-drive sidewinder saw in 1928. Recently{{When |date=May 2024}} smaller [[cordless]] circular saws with [[rechargeable batteries]] have become popular.