Safest Electric Saw

Swasterix

Danny30 said:

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. 

Ok, if you’re determined to do it yourself, I would say that any power tool can be dangerous if used incorrectly. A large saw, mini saw, reciprocating saw, plunge saw, etc. all have the ability to injure you (obviously to varying degrees). With that in mind I would personally just buy what is most suitable to the job (as opposed to safe), watch plenty of YouTube videos, read the instructions carefully, wear PPE, take your time and be very careful. 

Swasterix

Danny30 said:

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. 

Ps. 

I own a number of different power saws, but I would still get the timber merchant to cut it for me. Saves loads of time and the cuts will be more or less perfect. 

Danny30

Thank you all. I can't find much about kickback on track saws so am assuming it is safer to use so may go for one of those instead. 

nofoollikeold

1. Kickback is a term more usually used for saw benches / site  saws.  When wood is passed through the blade, if it becomes wedged against the back of the blade (which is rising) it can be thrown back at the user at very high speed, hence the term kick back.
2. With any sort of portable circular saw the blades are smaller, the fences are flimsier and there is less chance of wedging.  What can happen is that the blade hits a nail, or doesn't cut into the wood properly at the start, and jerks the whole saw.  If you are careful, wear proper PPE they can be used quite safely.
3. Plunge / track saws have fully enclosed blades.  You start the motor, then push down on the handle and the blade comes down.  If the saw jerks out of the cut, the guard comes down again, reducing the chance of injury.

Mickey666

Danny30 said:

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. 

Fair enough.  In that case I'd opt for a circular saw because it will make the best straight cuts.
Obviously all power tools have potential for injury but you'd have to be very, very careless to do yourself any harm with a modern circular saw.  Mine is fairly old now but it has a full guard over the blade that only retracts as the saw meets the workpiece and as soon as the cut is finished it the guard springs back automatically, so the moving blade is rarely exposed.  Plus the brake slows it down fairly quickly anyway.  Modern ones are probably even safer.
Once the DIY bug really bites you'll be wanting all manner of other powertools though - so be warned

oldbikebloke

Danny30 said:

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.

personally apart from a size and weight saving that would be relevant for jobs in confined spaces, I see no reason to own a mini saw

what you do not seem to appreciate is you adjust the depth of the blade cut to suit the material being cut. For example, if 12mm MDF then you do not set the saw at a 40mm cutting depth. On that basis there will not more blade "out" on "full" compared to a mini circular saw, but the mini will be less versatile since it has a lower maximum depth of cut

really think you are scaring yourself unnecessarily unless you have a physical disability that means you struggle to grip things with your hands 

Norman_Castle

I've got the saw you mentioned, https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-emcs650-650w-85mm-electric-mini-circular-saw-220-240v/906fx and find it very good. The limited cut depth probably makes it safer than a larger saw. Kick back has never been a problem, if the blade comes out of the wood the base plate would immediately cover the blade. I've also got a larger circular saw and find the blade guard on that is a pain although that is a £30 cheapie.

EssexExile

A good proper circular saw will pay for itself many times over. I got all my Bosch power tools in 1976 and they are still working fine. Watch videos of how to use them properly and be careful, then they shouldn't harm you.

ic

There is no one tool that will do all.  On my shelf I have a jigsaw, a multi-cutter, a circular saw, a mini plunge saw, various hand saws, plus I also share with my dad a table saw and a mitre saw.  The safety, and frankly a good neat job, comes in selecting the correct tool for the job, using it correctly with the timber supported appropriately, wearing goggles and keeping it maintained (ploughing on with blunt blades or a blade unsuited to what you're cutting will do you no favours).

danrv

I bought a DeWalt DWE560 on Amazon.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dwe560-gb-1350w-184mm-electric-circular-saw-240v/83289?tc=ET6&ds_kid=92700055256569560&ds_rl=1244066&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4LnPj6ub7gIVu2DmCh0IbAgVEAsYASABEgJkYPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Did lots of research before buying and it seemed that a portable circular saw is one of the most useful power tools to have. For smaller jobs and things like skirting board, a small mitre saw is quick to use.
Circular saw is more versatile though.
Good thing with this one is that it comes with a case. Some of the cheaper ones don’t.
As mentioned, just follow the safety guidelines and check on YouTube. A good tip from one vid was to have a tool belt to save reaching for things.