Will a 7 1/4″ circular saw cut a 20′ radius?

Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Power Tools). This thread is read-only.

fishnakedMember since Sep 2014Sep 9, 2014 10:22 PM CT

Is that radius big enough to not bind up a 7 1/4″ blade?

DR99Member since Nov 2012Sep 10, 2014 12:19 AM CT

From what I have read you should have enough room to not bind the blade, I always used a jigsaw on curves or circles. They also make a circular saw blade to cut curves and circles. http://www.arcusblade.com/

BigmikezMember since Jun 2013Sep 10, 2014 9:18 AM CT

Pretty cool DR I didn’t know that.

fishnakedMember since Sep 2014Sep 10, 2014 10:23 PM CT

Thanks. I decided to try on a test piece….a 2×6. First attempt, I set the saw depth at 1 1/2″. Did not work. I then set it at ~3/4″. Worked very poorly. On my last attempt, I set the depth at ~3/8″. Worked better yet but still poorly. Don’t know what to do now if a local store doesn’t happen to carry the Arcus blade. I have a 20′ diameter deck to cut out on Sunday.

dwainMember since Aug 2013Sep 11, 2014 4:45 AM CT

Jigsaw?

fishnakedMember since Sep 2014Sep 11, 2014 10:11 AM CT

dwain wrote:
Jigsaw?

Thanks. That’s what I’m leaning towards at this point.

Gatorb888Member since Nov 2013Sep 11, 2014 2:48 PM CT

This guy is able to, unless I am misunderstanding. I’ve seen a demo where they cut about a 3′ radius when we had a new blade come out a few years back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ1o8ZTkLg8

JavierMember since Aug 2013Sep 11, 2014 3:49 PM CT

I agree with Dwain a jigsaw seems like a great choice for this

ChrisKMember since Dec 2012Sep 11, 2014 4:22 PM CT

My friend….what you need is a Festool Carvex. 🙂

ChrisKMember since Dec 2012Sep 11, 2014 4:24 PM CT

Seriously though…..a good jigsaw (like the Carvex) with a guide (can make one yourself or buy one relatively cheaply) and you’ll be right as rain while you fish naked!

fishnakedMember since Sep 2014Sep 11, 2014 4:49 PM CT

Gatorb888 wrote:
This guy is able to, unless I am misunderstanding. I’ve seen a demo where they cut about a 3′ radius when we had a new blade come out a few years back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ1o8ZTkLg8

Thanks for that! I haven’t tried plywood but I can see how it would work being that it’s so thin. The depth of the 2×6 is what’s getting me. If someone could do that, I’d love to see it! 🙂

fishnakedMember since Sep 2014Sep 11, 2014 4:55 PM CT

ChrisK1970 wrote:
Seriously though…..a good jigsaw (like the Carvex) with a guide (can make one yourself or buy one relatively cheaply) and you’ll be right as rain while you fish naked!

Thanks. I did just that this morning. Made myself a guide that screws to a 10′ long 2×4 which will be my compass. The decking I am cutting runs over some joist I don’t want to cut so I also built a wood spacer for my jig saw so that it will only cut 1.5″ deep. The Carvex looks nice. I have a pretty nice Bosch with some agressive cutting blades. Shouldn’t take too long….I hope. I’m gonna get naked if this works as smoothly as I hope!

Thanks for all the replies, everyone!

ChrisKMember since Dec 2012Sep 11, 2014 5:03 PM CT

Good for you! Bosch makes an AWESOME jigsaw and I use their blades in my Festool Carvex. Smart too on your jig! If you get a chance post it so the guys and gals here can copy yours too!

regopitMember since Feb 2013Sep 11, 2014 11:56 PM CT

You can use a circular saw to cut a radius On sheet goods up to 3/4′” with no problem 2x material is to thick and binds the blade. I have have used a circular to cut plywood sheathing out for arched windows when I did not feel running down 3 flights of steps to the truck for the Jigsaw.