What blade should I use for my circular saw?

24-tooth blades for framing and rough cuts — fast but rough edge. 40-tooth blades for general purpose — balanced speed and finish. 60+ tooth blades for plywood and finish cuts — slowest but smoothest edge. Use carbide-tipped blades only. Never use a dull blade — it burns wood and kicks back.

How do I make straight cuts with a circular saw?

Use a straight-edge guide clamped to your workpiece. A factory edge from plywood works as a free guide. Measure the distance from the blade to the edge of the base plate and offset your guide by that amount. Speed squares work for quick crosscuts on 2x lumber.

Best Circular Saws Under $100 2026