Safest Electric Saw

Danny30

Hi, I have another question which again I am having trouble finding many answers.

I am looking at buying an electric saw that is able to cut upto 18 mm Mdf but as a first time user of such equipment I am a bit worried about safety. Obviously have to use these tools correctly but just want to minimise any risks. 

Option 1 -  circular saw with electric brakes. 
Option 2 - mini circular saw such as the one on the link below

Any advice would be much appreciated as wanted to get started as soon as is possible.

I am particularly worried about kickback after reading about it online. 
Would a mini saw be safer and would it be less likely to cause kickback that you would get from a circular saw?
Or perhaps is there any other safer electric saws for cutting. 
Thanks 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-emcs650-650w-85mm-electric-mini-circular-saw-220-240v/906fx#product_additional_details_container

Ebe_Scrooge

This will be safer :

https://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-jack-8tpi-wood-saw-20-500mm/15083

Seriously, any power tool has the potential to be dangerous in inexperienced hands.  A reciprocating saw has arguably less potential to do serious damage than a circular saw, e.g. https://www.screwfix.com/p/mac-allister-msrs850-850w-electric-reciprocating-saw-220-240v/625fx

But it's more tricky than a circular saw to get a perfectly straight cut with that - and it'll still take a finger off in the blink of an eye.  But at the end of the day, any type of power saw needs to be treated with a lot of respect.  If you're really worried about whether you can handle one safely, it's possible to get chain-mail gloves (much like those used by Brave Sir Knights of old, these days more commonly found being used by butchers chopping up slabs of meat).

nofoollikeold

Rather depends on what you are going to use if for. 
If cutting something fixed in place, such as fastened down flooring, or free standing panels which must be firmly clamped, look at a plunge cut saw.  
If looking at small jobs such as cutting a piece out of a skirting board, consider a "multi-tool" with appropriate blades.
Even with a brake, its unlikely a circular saw (other than a £3,000+ bench saw) is going to have a brake able to stop the blade almost instantly.  

Danny30

Thank you for the replies. Would the mini circular saw tool in the link safer to use?
I need to be able to cut mdf boards into 120cm length pieces.
I looked at the reciprocating saw and the jigsaw but from what I've read they wouldn't produce nice straight lines. 

Do you think using a clamped on piece of straight wood to run the circular saw against to make it a perfectly straight  greatly alleviate the risk of kickback.
I think maybe I am just slightly apprehensive due to not having used those particular tools before. 

Gunner276

A circular saw is pretty easy to use if you know how! Make sure you have all the protective equipment (glasses, ear defenders, gloves if you want them).

Maybe watch a few videos on youtube, they are only dangerous if used dangerously!

Depending what job you are doing the mini one may be the correct choice, I'd imagine it will take longer and not give as straight a cut though!

Swasterix

Danny30 said:

Thank you for the replies. Would the mini circular saw tool in the link safer to use?
I need to be able to cut mdf boards into 120cm length pieces.
I looked at the reciprocating saw and the jigsaw but from what I've read they wouldn't produce nice straight lines. 

Do you think using a clamped on piece of straight wood to run the circular saw against to make it a perfectly straight  greatly alleviate the risk of kickback.
I think maybe I am just slightly apprehensive due to not having used those particular tools before. 

If you’re very concerned about safety, have you considered buying your materials from a timber merchant and asking them to cut it for you? Cost should be fairly insignificant, would likely be a better job than you can do (no offence), and means there is absolutely no risk to you. 

nofoollikeold

Have a look at plunge / track saws.  These can be used with guide rails to ensure a straight cut. The best are in my opinion Mafell and Festool, but they are very expensive.  Makita SP600J and Bosch GKT 55 are mid-priced ones, and if you shop around you can generally get a good deal to include the guide rails.  At the cheap end of the market you can get Erbauer and similar.  Unless you are going to use it every day, or need to use it where there is no mains power, I wouldn't bother to get a battery one as they are much more expensive.

TELLIT01

I agree with Swasterix about getting the materials cut to size.  Unless you have a huge amount to cut, it will work out cheaper than buying your own saw, and probably mucking up the first few cuts and needing to buy more board.

Mickey666

Danny30 said:

Thank you for the replies. Would the mini circular saw tool in the link safer to use?
I need to be able to cut mdf boards into 120cm length pieces.
I looked at the reciprocating saw and the jigsaw but from what I've read they wouldn't produce nice straight lines. 

Do you think using a clamped on piece of straight wood to run the circular saw against to make it a perfectly straight  greatly alleviate the risk of kickback.
I think maybe I am just slightly apprehensive due to not having used those particular tools before. 

Given your apprehensiveness (not necessarily a bad thing), have you considered buying the MDF from somewhere that will cut it for you?  I have a pretty good workshop and a small table saw but even then I often get sheet materials cut to size because it's not always easy to manhandle 8x4 foot sheets of the stuff.

I use Jewson but there are many builders merchants who will cut for you and you can be sure they'll cut it square.  They don't even charge me.  Would also save you the cost of a circular saw.

Danny30

The reason that I am not looking at getting them cut to size is that I have many more things in the near future that would need cutting and it wouldn't be economic for me to get them cut at merchants. I also am looking to perhaps use it at home occasionally for diy projects. 

Danny30

Are the mini circle saws such as the one listed above safer? I know it wouldn't cut as well but I would be willing to compromise for the added safety.
I would also be happy to consider a track saw if they are safer.