Circular saws are a very important cutting tool in woodworking. When selecting a circular saw there are various tools related to size, power supply, and blade sizes. Mini circular saws are one of them related to the size and weight of the circular saw. A mini circular saw is small in size and lightweight considering the regular circular saw. So let’s see is it worth buying a mini circular saw?
Actually, a mini circular saw is really worth it when you are working with thin workpieces, long-time use on hand, and power supply problems. It can be used on any material such as concrete, steel, tile, wood, and PVC using a suitable saw blade due to its higher torque. These are powered by Li-Ion batteries. So it is a great solution for the power supply problems.
When considering the regular circular saw, we can see there are both pros and cons. Buying a circular saw gives you a solution for the limited problems. So let’s see what are they and how those affect its worthiness. So keep reading on!
Circular Saw Consumes Minimum Power
A mini circular saw power consumption depends on the tool voltage and battery capacity. Because most of the mini circular saws are powered by Li-Ion batteries. So 12V, 18V, the battery voltage can be used and according to the performance tool current can be varied.
Many mini circular saws are used for cutting wood, plastic, metal plates, and PVC. So it really needs a higher current. In order to full fill the power requirements 2 Amh, 4 Amh, and 5 Amh batteries can be used in these tools.
Regular cordless circular saws also use these kinds of power requirements. When considering the performance of the same tool, we can see higher performance on a mini circular saw.
Imagine that tool consumes 20V and a 4 Amh battery. It can produce 80 Watt of power. When it uses in a regular circular saw with a 6.5-inch blade diameter its performance can be reduced due to a higher blade diameter.
Its torque will reduce due to higher blade diameter. When it uses in a mini circular saw, we can see the higher performance. Because it uses a 3.5 saw blade. So its torque can be higher than the 6.5-inch tool.
As a result of this, most mini circular saws can be used to cut metal rather than regular wood. Due to the higher torque, its rpm will reduce. So we can see some problems on the workpiece surface due to lower rpm (1500-2000 RPM)
Mini Circular Saw Has a Lower Cutting Depth
Cutting depth is an important thing for circular saws. Due to the shoe, motor space, and arbor shaft, flanges, we are not able to use exactly half of the cutting depth of saw blade diameter. So it is always less than half of the circular saw blade.
Minicircular saw cutting depth can be varied with the bevel angle. When it reaches 90 degrees, it will cut the maximum depth of cut. When it inclines it will reduce. So available blade cutting depth for 3 3/8 and 4 1/2 saw blades will be varied like this.
- Cutting Depth for 3 3/8″ Saw Blade
| Inclined Angle | Cutting Depth in Inches | Cutting Depth in Millimeters |
| 20 | 5/16 | 9 |
| 25 | 7/16 | 11 |
| 30 | 1/2 | 13 |
| 35 | 9/16 | 15 |
| 40 | 5/8 | 16 |
| 45 | 11/16 | 18 |
| 50 | 3/4 | 19 |
| 55 | 13/16 | 21 |
| 60 | 7/8 | 22 |
| 65 | 7/8 | 23 |
| 70 | 15/16 | 24 |
| 75 | 15/16 | 25 |
| 80 | 1 | 25 |
| 85 | 1 | 25 |
| 90 | 1 | 25 |
- Cutting Depth for 4 1/2″ Saw Blade
| Inclined Angle | Cutting Depth in Inches | Cutting Depth in Millimeters |
| 20 | 9/16 | 15 |
| 25 | 11/16 | 18 |
| 30 | 7/8 | 21 |
| 35 | 15/16 | 25 |
| 40 | 1 1/16 | 28 |
| 45 | 1 3/16 | 30 |
| 50 | 1 5/16 | 33 |
| 55 | 1 3/8 | 35 |
| 60 | 1 7/16 | 37 |
| 65 | 1 1/2 | 39 |
| 70 | 1 9/16 | 40 |
| 75 | 1 5/8 | 41 |
| 80 | 1 11/16 | 42 |
| 85 | 1 11/16 | 43 |
| 90 | 1 11/16 | 43 |
Mini Circular Saws are Light Weight and Small Size
The most important thing is weight and size.
Normally a mini circular saw weight will be 2-4 lbs and its size will be around 16 x 5 x 6 inches. So it can be operated by using a single hand. When we have to cut thinner workpieces long time it is difficult to carry the regular circular saw.
Due to the weight and corded power, it will require more space as well as pain in the hand.
Mini circular saws are lightweight. Mostly It is half of the size and weight of the regular circular saw. So we can handle it easily due to its lightweight and cordless capability.
If you are a woman, I highly recommend this tool due to its ease of handling and weight. When considering the handling, size and weight mini circular saw are really worth it to buy.
Mini Circular Saw Can Use on Wood, Plastic, Tile, and Steel Plates
Due to the higher torque, this can be used to cut hard materials such as tiles, steel plates, hardwood, and many more. Mini circular saws have a higher torque. Hence it can be used on hard material easily.
According to the type of material, you should use suitable saw blades.
- Diamond Saw Blade – Concrete, tile, and blocks
- Ferrous Saw Blades – Cutting metal with iron
- Non-Ferrous Saw Blade – Soft metal like aluminum, copper, wood
