What causes circular saw to wander when cutting?
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My Makita circular saw wanders to the right, even when trying to follow a guide! Why?
circular-saw
edited Nov 23 '18 at 16:15
isherwood
51.3k461131
asked Nov 23 '18 at 12:16
macmccolmmacmccolm
61
add a comment |
My Makita circular saw wanders to the right, even when trying to follow a guide! Why?
circular-saw
edited Nov 23 '18 at 16:15
isherwood
51.3k461131
asked Nov 23 '18 at 12:16
macmccolmmacmccolm
61
Is the blade warped?
– ratchet freak
Nov 23 '18 at 12:39
2
What guide? The included rip fence?
– isherwood
Nov 23 '18 at 13:23
Blades try to follow the weakest path through wood grain. It's up to the operator to push appropriately when moving past/through knotholes etc.
– Wayfaring Stranger
Nov 24 '18 at 1:46
add a comment |
My Makita circular saw wanders to the right, even when trying to follow a guide! Why?
circular-saw
edited Nov 23 '18 at 16:15
isherwood
51.3k461131
asked Nov 23 '18 at 12:16
macmccolmmacmccolm
61
My Makita circular saw wanders to the right, even when trying to follow a guide! Why?
circular-saw
circular-saw
edited Nov 23 '18 at 16:15
isherwood
51.3k461131
asked Nov 23 '18 at 12:16
macmccolmmacmccolm
61
edited Nov 23 '18 at 16:15
isherwood
51.3k461131
asked Nov 23 '18 at 12:16
macmccolmmacmccolm
61
edited Nov 23 '18 at 16:15
isherwood
51.3k461131
edited Nov 23 '18 at 16:15
isherwood
51.3k461131
edited Nov 23 '18 at 16:15
isherwood
51.3k461131
51.3k461131
asked Nov 23 '18 at 12:16
macmccolmmacmccolm
61
asked Nov 23 '18 at 12:16
macmccolmmacmccolm
61
asked Nov 23 '18 at 12:16
macmccolmmacmccolm
61
61
Is the blade warped?
– ratchet freak
Nov 23 '18 at 12:39
2
What guide? The included rip fence?
– isherwood
Nov 23 '18 at 13:23
Blades try to follow the weakest path through wood grain. It's up to the operator to push appropriately when moving past/through knotholes etc.
– Wayfaring Stranger
Nov 24 '18 at 1:46
add a comment |
Is the blade warped?
– ratchet freak
Nov 23 '18 at 12:39
2
What guide? The included rip fence?
– isherwood
Nov 23 '18 at 13:23
Blades try to follow the weakest path through wood grain. It's up to the operator to push appropriately when moving past/through knotholes etc.
– Wayfaring Stranger
Nov 24 '18 at 1:46
Is the blade warped?
– ratchet freak
Nov 23 '18 at 12:39
Is the blade warped?
– ratchet freak
Nov 23 '18 at 12:39
2
2
What guide? The included rip fence?
– isherwood
Nov 23 '18 at 13:23
What guide? The included rip fence?
– isherwood
Nov 23 '18 at 13:23
Blades try to follow the weakest path through wood grain. It's up to the operator to push appropriately when moving past/through knotholes etc.
– Wayfaring Stranger
Nov 24 '18 at 1:46
Blades try to follow the weakest path through wood grain. It's up to the operator to push appropriately when moving past/through knotholes etc.
– Wayfaring Stranger
Nov 24 '18 at 1:46
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
Three things can cause wandering (or what seems like wandering). The first is a misaligned table and/or fence. The cut isn't actually wandering, but it seems like it is visually because of how the table is tracking across the workpiece.
The second is the use of modern "thin kerf" blades for rip cuts. While they're fantastically fast for crosscuts, they tend to "oil can" while cutting with the grain, which can cause severe wandering, especially with hard or thick boards. You'll have to work harder to keep a straight line or switch to a more conventional blade, wherein the heavier blade disk is more stable.
The third is user error. Are you applying rotational force as you push the saw? Are you preventing drag on the blade from doing so? The drag from the blade is slightly offset from the saw handle, so there's an inherent tendency for rotation in that direction.
I suggest a second-finger-trigger grip--use your second (middle) finger for the trigger, and place your first (index) finger along the front of the trigger guard. This gives you much better torsional control of the saw.
I've used Makita circular saws exclusively since the 1990s. They're consistently precise and smooth. Unless your saw has sustained damage or is extremely worn, this is probably worth consideration.
answered Nov 23 '18 at 13:28
isherwoodisherwood
51.3k461131
Good tip on trigger, we do these things with out thinking about them after so many years and forget unless training someone in person.
– Ed Beal
Nov 23 '18 at 16:01
1
I'd maybe add a final possibily that the blade is incredibly trashed - really, really dull, especially if it's asymetrically dull (someone has a habit of dropping it on concrete while its spinning down? Other abuse?). If the inside cuts poorly but the outside cuts well this can cause the blade to steer towards the sharp side.
– J...
Nov 23 '18 at 17:50
1
I like the "oil can" phrase for the dishing, although it can be transient: the convex side of the blade will experience more friction and expand, resulting in positive feedback (either more one-sided friction, or a turning cut to avoid it).
– amI
Nov 23 '18 at 18:33
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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oldest
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votes
Three things can cause wandering (or what seems like wandering). The first is a misaligned table and/or fence. The cut isn't actually wandering, but it seems like it is visually because of how the table is tracking across the workpiece.
The second is the use of modern "thin kerf" blades for rip cuts. While they're fantastically fast for crosscuts, they tend to "oil can" while cutting with the grain, which can cause severe wandering, especially with hard or thick boards. You'll have to work harder to keep a straight line or switch to a more conventional blade, wherein the heavier blade disk is more stable.
The third is user error. Are you applying rotational force as you push the saw? Are you preventing drag on the blade from doing so? The drag from the blade is slightly offset from the saw handle, so there's an inherent tendency for rotation in that direction.
I suggest a second-finger-trigger grip--use your second (middle) finger for the trigger, and place your first (index) finger along the front of the trigger guard. This gives you much better torsional control of the saw.
I've used Makita circular saws exclusively since the 1990s. They're consistently precise and smooth. Unless your saw has sustained damage or is extremely worn, this is probably worth consideration.
answered Nov 23 '18 at 13:28
isherwoodisherwood
51.3k461131
Good tip on trigger, we do these things with out thinking about them after so many years and forget unless training someone in person.
– Ed Beal
Nov 23 '18 at 16:01
1
I'd maybe add a final possibily that the blade is incredibly trashed - really, really dull, especially if it's asymetrically dull (someone has a habit of dropping it on concrete while its spinning down? Other abuse?). If the inside cuts poorly but the outside cuts well this can cause the blade to steer towards the sharp side.
– J...
Nov 23 '18 at 17:50
1
I like the "oil can" phrase for the dishing, although it can be transient: the convex side of the blade will experience more friction and expand, resulting in positive feedback (either more one-sided friction, or a turning cut to avoid it).
– amI
Nov 23 '18 at 18:33
add a comment |
Three things can cause wandering (or what seems like wandering). The first is a misaligned table and/or fence. The cut isn't actually wandering, but it seems like it is visually because of how the table is tracking across the workpiece.
The second is the use of modern "thin kerf" blades for rip cuts. While they're fantastically fast for crosscuts, they tend to "oil can" while cutting with the grain, which can cause severe wandering, especially with hard or thick boards. You'll have to work harder to keep a straight line or switch to a more conventional blade, wherein the heavier blade disk is more stable.
The third is user error. Are you applying rotational force as you push the saw? Are you preventing drag on the blade from doing so? The drag from the blade is slightly offset from the saw handle, so there's an inherent tendency for rotation in that direction.
I suggest a second-finger-trigger grip--use your second (middle) finger for the trigger, and place your first (index) finger along the front of the trigger guard. This gives you much better torsional control of the saw.
I've used Makita circular saws exclusively since the 1990s. They're consistently precise and smooth. Unless your saw has sustained damage or is extremely worn, this is probably worth consideration.
answered Nov 23 '18 at 13:28
isherwoodisherwood
51.3k461131
Good tip on trigger, we do these things with out thinking about them after so many years and forget unless training someone in person.
– Ed Beal
Nov 23 '18 at 16:01
1
I'd maybe add a final possibily that the blade is incredibly trashed - really, really dull, especially if it's asymetrically dull (someone has a habit of dropping it on concrete while its spinning down? Other abuse?). If the inside cuts poorly but the outside cuts well this can cause the blade to steer towards the sharp side.
– J...
Nov 23 '18 at 17:50
1
I like the "oil can" phrase for the dishing, although it can be transient: the convex side of the blade will experience more friction and expand, resulting in positive feedback (either more one-sided friction, or a turning cut to avoid it).
– amI
Nov 23 '18 at 18:33
add a comment |
Three things can cause wandering (or what seems like wandering). The first is a misaligned table and/or fence. The cut isn't actually wandering, but it seems like it is visually because of how the table is tracking across the workpiece.
The second is the use of modern "thin kerf" blades for rip cuts. While they're fantastically fast for crosscuts, they tend to "oil can" while cutting with the grain, which can cause severe wandering, especially with hard or thick boards. You'll have to work harder to keep a straight line or switch to a more conventional blade, wherein the heavier blade disk is more stable.
The third is user error. Are you applying rotational force as you push the saw? Are you preventing drag on the blade from doing so? The drag from the blade is slightly offset from the saw handle, so there's an inherent tendency for rotation in that direction.
I suggest a second-finger-trigger grip--use your second (middle) finger for the trigger, and place your first (index) finger along the front of the trigger guard. This gives you much better torsional control of the saw.
I've used Makita circular saws exclusively since the 1990s. They're consistently precise and smooth. Unless your saw has sustained damage or is extremely worn, this is probably worth consideration.
answered Nov 23 '18 at 13:28
isherwoodisherwood
51.3k461131
Three things can cause wandering (or what seems like wandering). The first is a misaligned table and/or fence. The cut isn't actually wandering, but it seems like it is visually because of how the table is tracking across the workpiece.
The second is the use of modern "thin kerf" blades for rip cuts. While they're fantastically fast for crosscuts, they tend to "oil can" while cutting with the grain, which can cause severe wandering, especially with hard or thick boards. You'll have to work harder to keep a straight line or switch to a more conventional blade, wherein the heavier blade disk is more stable.
The third is user error. Are you applying rotational force as you push the saw? Are you preventing drag on the blade from doing so? The drag from the blade is slightly offset from the saw handle, so there's an inherent tendency for rotation in that direction.
I suggest a second-finger-trigger grip--use your second (middle) finger for the trigger, and place your first (index) finger along the front of the trigger guard. This gives you much better torsional control of the saw.
I've used Makita circular saws exclusively since the 1990s. They're consistently precise and smooth. Unless your saw has sustained damage or is extremely worn, this is probably worth consideration.
answered Nov 23 '18 at 13:28
isherwoodisherwood
51.3k461131
edited Nov 23 '18 at 16:27
answered Nov 23 '18 at 13:28
isherwoodisherwood
51.3k461131
answered Nov 23 '18 at 13:28
isherwoodisherwood
51.3k461131
answered Nov 23 '18 at 13:28
isherwoodisherwood
51.3k461131
51.3k461131
Good tip on trigger, we do these things with out thinking about them after so many years and forget unless training someone in person.
– Ed Beal
Nov 23 '18 at 16:01
1
I'd maybe add a final possibily that the blade is incredibly trashed - really, really dull, especially if it's asymetrically dull (someone has a habit of dropping it on concrete while its spinning down? Other abuse?). If the inside cuts poorly but the outside cuts well this can cause the blade to steer towards the sharp side.
– J...
Nov 23 '18 at 17:50
1
I like the "oil can" phrase for the dishing, although it can be transient: the convex side of the blade will experience more friction and expand, resulting in positive feedback (either more one-sided friction, or a turning cut to avoid it).
– amI
Nov 23 '18 at 18:33
add a comment |
Good tip on trigger, we do these things with out thinking about them after so many years and forget unless training someone in person.
– Ed Beal
Nov 23 '18 at 16:01
1
I'd maybe add a final possibily that the blade is incredibly trashed - really, really dull, especially if it's asymetrically dull (someone has a habit of dropping it on concrete while its spinning down? Other abuse?). If the inside cuts poorly but the outside cuts well this can cause the blade to steer towards the sharp side.
– J...
Nov 23 '18 at 17:50
1
I like the "oil can" phrase for the dishing, although it can be transient: the convex side of the blade will experience more friction and expand, resulting in positive feedback (either more one-sided friction, or a turning cut to avoid it).
– amI
Nov 23 '18 at 18:33
Good tip on trigger, we do these things with out thinking about them after so many years and forget unless training someone in person.
– Ed Beal
Nov 23 '18 at 16:01
Good tip on trigger, we do these things with out thinking about them after so many years and forget unless training someone in person.
– Ed Beal
Nov 23 '18 at 16:01
1
1
I'd maybe add a final possibily that the blade is incredibly trashed - really, really dull, especially if it's asymetrically dull (someone has a habit of dropping it on concrete while its spinning down? Other abuse?). If the inside cuts poorly but the outside cuts well this can cause the blade to steer towards the sharp side.
– J...
Nov 23 '18 at 17:50
I'd maybe add a final possibily that the blade is incredibly trashed - really, really dull, especially if it's asymetrically dull (someone has a habit of dropping it on concrete while its spinning down? Other abuse?). If the inside cuts poorly but the outside cuts well this can cause the blade to steer towards the sharp side.
– J...
Nov 23 '18 at 17:50
1
1
I like the "oil can" phrase for the dishing, although it can be transient: the convex side of the blade will experience more friction and expand, resulting in positive feedback (either more one-sided friction, or a turning cut to avoid it).
– amI
Nov 23 '18 at 18:33
I like the "oil can" phrase for the dishing, although it can be transient: the convex side of the blade will experience more friction and expand, resulting in positive feedback (either more one-sided friction, or a turning cut to avoid it).
– amI
Nov 23 '18 at 18:33
add a comment |
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Is the blade warped?
– ratchet freak
Nov 23 '18 at 12:39
2
What guide? The included rip fence?
– isherwood
Nov 23 '18 at 13:23
Blades try to follow the weakest path through wood grain. It's up to the operator to push appropriately when moving past/through knotholes etc.
– Wayfaring Stranger
Nov 24 '18 at 1:46