Cutting 2x2" timber

[Juliekeensnapper]

Hello, first let me apologise for the very basic question, I'm very new to woodworking.

I need to cut some 2"x2" pieces of wood to length, I have a very cheap black and decker handheld circular saw with the included blade (I only paid about £30 for it, so probably about as poor as you can get).

I started cutting a few and it was ok, but then I hit a bad knot and the saw could not cut through, it pushed back and jumped a bit (lesson learnt, don't saw into big knots!) After that it is not cutting through most of the bits of wood (with no knots) it cuts about 90% of the way and won't cut through the last bit, so I've been turning the wood around and trying to line the last little bit up and cut again (with varying degrees of success lining up)

Can anyone suggest why this might be? The saw seems to be working ok other than not going all the way through a lot of the time, might I have damaged the blade tying to go through the knot? It seems to cut really cleanly besides not cutting the last bit.

I have ordered another blade, and have access to another cheap circular saw I can try, could I be using a bad tequnique?

I know using junk tools is a bad idea and if I get into woodworking I am going to get better quality ones.

Thanks for reading, any suggestions appreciated

 

[transatlantic]

Are you sure you're not getting part of the tool stuck? I know I've had the blade guard on mine get stuck against something stopping you from making the cut.

 

[RobinBHM]

Have you checked that the saw depth of cut didnt alter when you had the kickback?

It is worth making a simple jig to support the saw so it can cross cut easily.

 

[marcros]

i would use a normal handsaw for this task.

 

[MattRoberts]

I would buy a cheap as chips Chop saw to be honest!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

7 1/4" circulars are loathsome things. Use a handsaw - more accurate, safer and easier. As above, you've probably altered the depth of cut when it kicked back.

 

[WellsWood]

i would use a normal handsaw for this task.

So would I. A hand held circular saw is entirely the wrong tool for the job of small crosscuts like this - dangerous, noisy, dusty, and less accurate than a £6 jack saw from B&Q/Wickes etc.

 

[beech1948]

Yup. Cheap hardpoint hand saw from Wickes/B&Poo etc. There is no need to use power saws on such small sections because the hand saw is faster, cheaper and simpler. Cost about £7 to £9.

 

[Juliekeensnapper]

Are you sure you're not getting part of the tool stuck? I know I've had the blade guard on mine get stuck against something stopping you from making the cut.

It feels exactly as though something is stuck, but I can't see what, I will double check

 

[Juliekeensnapper]

Have you checked that the saw depth of cut didnt alter when you had the kickback?

It is worth making a simple jig to support the saw so it can cross cut easily.

I have checked the depth of cut and it has not moved , thanks though, can you give me a link or picture showing what a simple jig would look like? Thanks

 

[Juliekeensnapper]

I would buy a cheap as chips Chop saw to be honest!

Thanks, I just had to google chop saw, the cheapest thing this I can find is Scheppach 1500W 210mm Compound Mitre Saw CM80L from B&Q, it's only £40, would that do? I would like a nice sliding mitre saw, but that would be out of budget this year.

 

[Juliekeensnapper]

7 1/4" circulars are loathsome things. Use a handsaw - more accurate, safer and easier. As above, you've probably altered the depth of cut when it kicked back.

It's cutting the depth fine on most of the cut, I've checked it is set to maximum depth of cut.

 

[Juliekeensnapper]

Yup. Cheap hardpoint hand saw from Wickes/B&Poo etc. There is no need to use power saws on such small sections because the hand saw is faster, cheaper and simpler. Cost about £7 to £9.

Thanks, I'm sure you're right, but maybe it is my bad technique, but I get blisters using a handsaw and I find it hard work, I have about 100 cuts to make, I have soft old lady hands lol,

 

[MattRoberts]

I would buy a cheap as chips Chop saw to be honest!

Thanks, I just had to google chop saw, the cheapest thing this I can find is Scheppach 1500W 210mm Compound Mitre Saw CM80L from B&Q, it's only £40, would that do? I would like a nice sliding mitre saw, but that would be out of budget this year.

That would do it just fine. Now I'm going to take my heathen suggestions and go hide from the hand saw fanatics

 

[Juliekeensnapper]

Thanks! I can't find that one in stock anywhere, but I've ordered a guild one for £47, I'm picking it up from home base tomorrow.

 

[thetyreman]

either change the blade or get a handsaw, the handsaw would be the best option, I personally would buy a ryobi japanese saw, they are good value and give me the cleanest cuts I've ever seen.

 

[Mark A]

Does the saw have a thin curved metal plate fixed behind the blade? Some saws are fitted with one (called a riving knife) and it is designed to prevent the timber pinching the blade during a cut, possibly resulting in the saw being launched back at you if you're unlucky.

The riving knife could be slightly bent out of alignment with the blade and snagging on the timber as you cut through?

 

[Juliekeensnapper]

Does the saw have a thin curved metal plate fixed behind the blade? Some saws are fitted with one (called a riving knife) and it is designed to prevent the timber pinching the blade during a cut, possibly resulting in the saw being launched back at you if you're unlucky.

The riving knife could be slightly bent out of alignment with the blade and snagging on the timber as you cut through?

Thanks, I will check later

 

[Bm101]

If you're that new to using power tools can I suggest 1. that you make sure you have a dustmask and goggles! If not buy some before you use your new chopsaw! Power tools can generate a lot of dust and the smaller it is the more significant the damage.
2. When using a circular saw you should be expecting kickback in how you stand/hold the saw etc. Brace yourself for it. If it does occur you're ready for it and have a better chance to control it. Same with grinders etc. You can minimise the chances of it but be ready. And check the blade is done up nice and tight out the box then regularly.
Lecture over. Have fun!
Signed,
Safety Joe. :roll:

 

[Juliekeensnapper]

I'm not new to power tools, I've been using drills and jigsaws for decades (previously I would have cut the 2x2 with a jigsaw!)

I do use ear and eye protection, but not a dust mask as I'm cutting outdoors, do you think I should still wear one?

Thanks for your concern for my safety