What causes circular saw to wander when cutting?
Multi tool use
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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 at 16:15
isherwood
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asked Nov 23 at 12:16
macmccolm
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up vote
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down vote
favorite
My Makita circular saw wanders to the right, even when trying to follow a guide! Why?
circular-saw
edited Nov 23 at 16:15
isherwood
43.7k453109
asked Nov 23 at 12:16
macmccolm
61
New contributor
macmccolm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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Is the blade warped?
– ratchet freak
Nov 23 at 12:39
2
What guide? The included rip fence?
– isherwood
Nov 23 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 at 1:46
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
My Makita circular saw wanders to the right, even when trying to follow a guide! Why?
circular-saw
edited Nov 23 at 16:15
isherwood
43.7k453109
asked Nov 23 at 12:16
macmccolm
61
New contributor
macmccolm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
My Makita circular saw wanders to the right, even when trying to follow a guide! Why?
circular-saw
circular-saw
edited Nov 23 at 16:15
isherwood
43.7k453109
asked Nov 23 at 12:16
macmccolm
61
New contributor
macmccolm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Nov 23 at 16:15
isherwood
43.7k453109
asked Nov 23 at 12:16
macmccolm
61
New contributor
macmccolm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Nov 23 at 16:15
isherwood
43.7k453109
edited Nov 23 at 16:15
isherwood
43.7k453109
edited Nov 23 at 16:15
isherwood
43.7k453109
43.7k453109
asked Nov 23 at 12:16
macmccolm
61
New contributor
macmccolm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Nov 23 at 12:16
macmccolm
61
asked Nov 23 at 12:16
macmccolm
61
61
New contributor
macmccolm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
macmccolm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
macmccolm is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Is the blade warped?
– ratchet freak
Nov 23 at 12:39
2
What guide? The included rip fence?
– isherwood
Nov 23 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 at 1:46
add a comment |
Is the blade warped?
– ratchet freak
Nov 23 at 12:39
2
What guide? The included rip fence?
– isherwood
Nov 23 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 at 1:46
Is the blade warped?
– ratchet freak
Nov 23 at 12:39
Is the blade warped?
– ratchet freak
Nov 23 at 12:39
2
2
What guide? The included rip fence?
– isherwood
Nov 23 at 13:23
What guide? The included rip fence?
– isherwood
Nov 23 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 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 at 1:46
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
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oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
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 at 13:28
isherwood
43.7k453109
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 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 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 at 18:33
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
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 at 13:28
isherwood
43.7k453109
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 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 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 at 18:33
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
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 at 13:28
isherwood
43.7k453109
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 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 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 at 18:33
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
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 at 13:28
isherwood
43.7k453109
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 at 13:28
isherwood
43.7k453109
edited Nov 23 at 16:27
answered Nov 23 at 13:28
isherwood
43.7k453109
answered Nov 23 at 13:28
isherwood
43.7k453109
answered Nov 23 at 13:28
isherwood
43.7k453109
43.7k453109
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 at 18:33
add a comment |
macmccolm is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
macmccolm is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
macmccolm is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Is the blade warped?
– ratchet freak
Nov 23 at 12:39
2
What guide? The included rip fence?
– isherwood
Nov 23 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 at 1:46