Learn how to replace any brand of circular saw blade in a few easy steps
Your circular saw isn't very good without a blade, so knowing how to replace a circular saw blade is a necessary skill. The good news is that once you learn it the first time, you'll be able to remove the circular saw blade and install a new one in minutes.
How to Change a Circular Saw Blade: Removing the Saw Blade
quick steps
- Press in the blade lock
- Loosen and remove the spindle bolts
- Open the blade guard
- remove the blade
Pro Tip: Safety First! Always remove the batteries or unplug the saw before working around the blade.
Before you start, you need to find two things: a blade wrench and a blade lock. Most circular saws store the wrench on the plate, so look at the handle, base, and motor housing. If you don't see it, check your manual for more help.
The blade lock is usually located on the motor housing behind the blade guard. Press it in while rotating the blade until you feel the locking button slide into place and prevent the blade from rotating further.
Pro tip: Many people find it easier to remove the circular saw blade with the depth locked on the lowest setting so the shoe (base) is out of the way.
Press in the blade lock and loosen the arbor bolt
Keep pressing the blade lock button and place the wrench around the bolt on the arbor (center of the blade). Turn the wrench to loosen the bolt a 1/2 turn or so, then you can release the blade lock and hand the bolt out.
But which direction is loose?
It all depends on which side of the saw the blade is on. If it is on the left, the bolt is reverse threaded and needs to be unscrewed to the right. If the blade is on the right, it's standard and loose works for lefties.
However, you can simply remember that unclamping is always in the same direction as the blade is turning .
Rotate the blade guard and remove the blade
The hard part is over. All you need to do now is rotate the blade guard so it opens, lift the blade up and pull it out.
There will be another piece that comes off with the blade. This is the outer flange, and the arbor bolt clamps it to the blade, holding it in place better than the bolt alone.
How to Change a Circular Saw Blade: Installing the Saw Blade
quick steps
- Rotary Blade Guard Open
- slide the blade on
- Put the outer flange on the
- Press in the blade lock
- Tighten the spindle bolts
To install a circular saw blade, we pretty much just reverse the process of removing the circular saw blade. The most important thing here is to remember which way the blade is going – it won't always be printed side out!
The circular saw teeth rotate upwards through the material instead of downwards. If you look at the teeth closest to the front of the saw, they should be facing up no matter which side it is mounted on.
Even if you don't remember, most circular saws have an arrow on the blade cover or guard to remind you.
Rotate the guard, slide the blade onto the arbor, slide the outer flange over it, and tighten the arbor bolt by hand. Press the blade lock button, rotate the blade until the lock stops, tighten the bolt with a wrench, and you're ready to go!
Pro Tip: Never use power tools to tighten the arbor bolts! You could damage the arbor or bolt threads and make the saw unsafe to use.
Like the saw we used in the photo? Learn more in our Flex 24V Rear Handsaw Review!
Have any tips or tricks to share on how to change circular saw blades? Drop them in the comments below!