When a circular saw is used, we have to face so many problems. Among them saw blade binding is a common one. There are many reasons for circular saw binding. So let’s see, what are the main reasons and how to solve them step by step
Normally, a workpiece can bind with the circular saw blade due to these reasons such as improper supporting, dirty saw blade, blunt saw teeth, wet workpiece, deep cutting, power supply problem, and selecting a wrong number of saw blades for the workpiece.
These can be fixed by using proper support and selecting the proper quality saw blade by providing a suitable power supply to the tool.
So let’s see, in detail why does a circular saw binding with a workpiece and how we can fix it easily.
What is Circular Saw Binding?
When we are using a circular saw for cutting the workpiece, we can see the saw blade is stopped by the workpiece. This happens when the workpiece is tightly touched with the circular saw blade. When it is tightened it can stop due to high friction. Sometimes we can see kickback which gives a dangerous user experience.
As a result of saw blade binding, we can see burning marks on the cutting surface. Due to the higher friction heat can go up. Hence wood can burn and the result will be smoking from the kerf. So it is very important to know about workpiece binding while you are working on a circular saw.
So lets see what are the reason for this problem and how to fix them?
Improper Supporting
When you are working with a circular saw you must pay attention to the workpiece supporting. We can support workpieces in many ways. But there are both right and wrong ways that we do. When a workpiece is placed on the support, keep the support near as much as possible. When the workpiece keeps on the support top fiber layers will compress and the bottom fiber layers will be tension. When you are cutting the middle of the workpiece, the saw blade can feel more compression during the cutting process. As a result of this saw blade will bind with the cutting surface.
When you keep the supporting as much as possible to close each other this effect will reduce. Hence keep the workpiece as much as possible close to each other But it should have space to saw blade moving without cutting supporting. As for me, I keep two supporting. I support both ends and then keep two supports besides the cutting path about 1-2 feet distance.
Mostly You can support one end while you are cutting. It will be easier than keeping two supports.
Solution
- Keep support near the cut
Dirty Saw Blade
Saw blades can be dirty due to sawdust melting or rusting. When a circular saw blade is used it can heat due to friction. When it heats sawdust also can adhere to the surface. As a result of this “aligning” can be melted on the saw blade. Then sawdust can adhere to the saw blade. These will not remove easily.
When a saw blade is not used for a long time, it can rust easily as a result of this its thickness can increase and the surface will be rough. Hence, additional friction can build from the saw blade surface. Then it tries to bind with the workpiece surface.
You can clean the circular saw blade by using any saw blade cleaner and rust remover. If you regularly keep the saw blade clean and maintain it properly you can avoid these kinds of problems.
Solution
- Use proper quality saw blade
- Clean the saw blade with using blade cleaner 409
Blunt Saw Blade
Circular saw blade teeth should be sharp and uniform. If there are any blunt teeth it will scratch the kerf, instead of cutting it. A saw blade teeth can be blunt due to using a poor quality saw blade, unexpected metal cutting, not sharpening, cutting hardwood, etc. When you touch the edge of the saw blade you should feel it is sharp. If you can feel a blunt edge you should sharpen it as much as possible.
You can sharp the saw blade yourself or find a service for that.
Solution
- Use proper saw blade
- Sharpen the saw blade
Wet Workpiece
A wet workpiece means there is more moisture content in the workpiece. If there is high moisture it can produce more friction with the circular saw blade. You may have the experience when you cut wet workpieces by hand saw. Was it easy? That was not easy. It always tries to clog the saw inside the kerf. because chips are not able to remove properly. It will remain due to wetness.
This is the same for the circular saws. You have to pay attention to the workpiece’s wet condition while you are cutting. Dry workpieces do not have this kind of problem.
Solution
- Use less number of teeth
- Use dry workpieces
Deep Cutting
Normally we can cut 1-3 inches of cut using the circular saw. But using different saw blades we can cut deeper. When the saw blade is used to cut deeper more teeth have to engage with the cutting process. This will reduce the power of the circular saw. As a result of this, we can see the workpiece surface is binding with the saw blade.
So you can flip the workpiece to cut the sides without doing a single cutting.
Power Supply Problem
Power is a very important thing. A circular saw should have proper voltage and current. Mostly 120V and 15 amps. For any reason, if the power supply has been damaged or using the wrong external power cord we can see a lower performance circular saw due to poor power consumption. So you must always use the proper power cords with suitable voltage and current every time.
Make sure your external power cord is with proper standard and there is no problem.
Read More About – Circular Saw Power Consumption – [Watts | Volts | Amps]
Wrong Number of Teeth for Saw Blade
Saw blade number of teeth affects the chip removing process. When we use a circular saw, we should use a proper number of teeth for the circular saw. It should be capable to remove the chips while it’s cutting process. There is a gullet. It can store the chips inside the kerf and it will release when it comes out. If the gullet’s space is not sufficient to store the chips it will clog inside. The result will be higher friction and saw blase is binding with the workpiece surface.
So you should use the proper number of teeth for the saw blade. Softwoods need a lower number of teeth with more space gullet and hardwood needs more number of teeth with lower space gullet. Hence pay attention to the saw blade when you select it.
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