Pay attention to the correct circular saw blade orientation of the teeth
Most of us have been there at some point… staring at the blade with one hand and the saw with the other, wondering what the correct circular saw blade orientation is.
The first time I encountered it, I had the blade installed backwards without the supervision it deserved. I actually finished a cut and wondered why it cut so slowly until my mistake was corrected. Getting the teeth of the circular saw blade to move in the correct direction is at the heart of the matter.
Pro Tips & Tricks : Due to a lack of proper cement board blades, some pros purposely set the frame blade backwards to cut cement board (Hardie Board).
The saw's motor runs the blade in such a way that the circular saw teeth point upwards as it rotates into the wood you're cutting. Designed to create the most stable, accurate and safe cuts.
When the teeth hit the material, they tear from bottom to top. This direction of rotation pulls sawdust and debris up into the guard where they can be expelled through the dust port. It is the opposite of a table saw, with the teeth entering the cut from the top.
Correct Circular Saw Blade Orientation
Properly orienting the blades of each saw isn't as simple as slapping the label side out and then cutting. The difference in blade orientation (which side of the saw the blade is on) changes which side of the blade you see.
Everything else here is just icing on the cake if you remember that the blade rotates so that the tooth direction cuts upwards. However, saw and blade manufacturers can make it easier for you.
When you look at the blade cover, there is an arrow letting you know which direction the motor is turning. On the blade, there is usually a directional arrow as well. When installing the circular saw blade, just make sure the two arrows match each other.
For right-blade models, the correct circular saw blade orientation is usually the label side out. Saws with the blade on the left are usually installed with the "ugly" side facing out. However, this is not a hard and fast rule. You should always double check.
In our experience, people often confuse left blade saws because they look better with the nice side of the blade visible. But no matter how it looks, it's all about making sure those teeth are cut from the bottom up.
So there you have it – keep those circular saw blades with the teeth pointing up. Ready for more circular saw tips? Check out this article!