When you’re on a roll while cutting wood for your projects, you might get rattled by the sudden stopping of your circular saw mid-cut. In such instances, you just need to relax and stop cutting. Turn off your circular saw and unplug it. Once you’ve unplugged it from the power source, you can start figuring out what causes the sudden stopping of your circular saw.
Some causes of the abrupt stopping of the circular saw mid-cut include saw blade problems, misalignments, bad usage, and many other factors. Hence, as a user of the circular saw, you must be cognizant of these possible reasons and learn the basic troubleshooting steps you can engage in to resolve the issue.
Possible Reasons Behind the Stopping of Circular Saw Mid Cut
A circular saw might stop mid-cut because its blade gets stuck in the material or wood. It might also be a case of a damaged motor or blade. Below is a rundown of all the possible reasons behind the sudden stopping of your circular saw mid-cut:
Blade Issue
The primary reason the circular saw would stop mid-cut lies in the blade. The saw blade might be dull and needs replacement. So, when the saw stops, you must stop cutting, turn off the circular saw, and unplug the cord. Then, inspect the blade to see if it is loose.
If it Is loosely fitted, tighten it. When tightening the saw blade, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Afterward, plug the circular saw, turn it on, and try cutting.
If the blade remains loose after you tighten it, it might be a case of a warped saw blade. It will be best to replace the saw blade with a new sharp one.
Another possible reason the circular saw blade stops mid-cut is an obstruction along its path. So, you need to inspect if debris is blocking the saw blade. Ensure nothing is obstructing the movement of the saw blade.
If, after inspecting the saw blade and the circular saw, you still can’t figure out the cause of stopping, it will be best to bring the circular saw to a professional who could take a professional look at your device and repair it.
Always remember that with proper maintenance and care, your circular saw will continue to work without any issues for many years.
Pinching of the Saw Blade
As a newbie in the use of the circular saw, you might experience the sudden stopping of the saw blade mid-cut due to binding or pinching. This abrupt stop happens when your wood binds or when the wood pinches the blade.
This closing-up of the wood leads to the pinching of the saw blade, which stops it from spinning. Drooping, bending, and wood movement might cause this blade pinching.
Motor Issues
Another possible reason for the abrupt stopping of the circular saw blade is motor problems. If it is not the circular saw blade at fault, it might be the motor. The stopping of the circular saw motor can be caused by the saw blade, damaged motor brass, old grease that hardened, and damaged motor arbor.
Bad or Loose Connection
Another possible reason your circular saw stops midway through the cutting is a loose plug. If the power cord is not appropriately connected, it will fail to bring in the needed power, causing the circular saw blade to stop.
Thus, you should also check the connection between the power outlet and the circular saw if it is tight. Inspect the wire likewise if they are working well. If you notice any loose connection or wire, turn off the circular saw and fix the loose wire or connection.
Reclaimed Wood or Hard Material
Another possible reason is when you are cutting through a block of reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood might have hard materials embedded inside its fibers, causing the saw blade to stop.
Hard materials can cause damage to the saw blade’s teeth. Besides, it may cause binding or kickback, injuring you or anyone near you.
Typical Ways to Fix Circular Saw Blade that Stops Mid-cut<h2>
Knowledge is power, and if you know the possible reasons behind your circular saw blade stopping mid-cut, you will not be disconcerted when your saw blade stops mid-cut. Nevertheless, it will also help if you know the necessary steps to fix each of the abovementioned issues. Below are the simple steps you can follow if such an issue arises:
Blade Issue
If the cause of the stopping is the saw blade, you need to check the saw blade. For example, if you’re cutting a fiberboard, you will need to install the appropriate blade for cutting such a material. Similarly, if you will cut hardwood, you need another type of saw blade suitable for cutting hardwood. Knowing what saw blade to use when cutting material helps you avoid any issue of the blade stopping mid-cut.
If the saw blade is dull, you need to replace it with a new blade. It will only take about five minutes to replace a saw blade. If you use a saw blade not meant for cutting your material, the saw blade might become dull quickly. So, ensure that you use a saw blade that doesn’t dull fast.
Material Issue
If the cause of the sudden stopping of the saw blade is the material, inspect your material. There might be a snag that hinders the rotation of the saw blade. Check for embedded nails and screws in the wood.
If the wood is reclaimed, there might be embedded nails or screws. Besides, inspecting the material before you cut it with the circular saw will be best.
Inspect likewise for wrapping, wood knots, and material inconsistencies, for these can also cause the sudden stopping of the saw blade.
Pinching and Binding
If the cause of the stoppage of the saw blade is pinching or binding, it might be due to insufficient support for the wood. Your wood should be supported sufficiently because if the material sags on one side, it might cause pinching of the saw blade or binding.
When cutting material, ensure that you bolster the material on both sides of the cutline. This way, it will not sag. If you make long cuts, ensure you put shivs in the material you have already cut to prevent it from binding or pinching.
Loose Connection or Cord
If the problem is loose wiring or connection, you should turn off the device and inspect the loose connection. Fix the wirings and ensure that the power cord is not loosely connected to the power outlet.
Besides, you should ensure that your garage or workshop has proper wiring as well as circuit breakers to ensure your power supply can handle all the power tools you are using.
It will be best likewise to use UPS systems or inverters when powering your devices This way, your tools will receive constant power sans fluctuation.
Loose Clutch
If the circular saw has difficulty engaging, you should do a little tuning up of the clutch. To tune up the clutch, unplug the circular saw. Then, remove the saw blade. Utilize a hex key to unscrew the two screws on the clutch’s side.
Afterward, you can utilize a flathead screwdriver to remove the spring and the washer underneath the screws. Clean the debris buildup in the housing of the clutch.
Once you’ve removed the debris, you can reinstall the parts you’ve removed. Ensure to tighten the screws you’ve removed before reinstalling the saw blade. Afterward, you can plug the circular saw again.
Engage in Regular Maintenance of Your Circular Saw
Anything subject to constant friction is also subject to wear and tear. Your circular saw has parts that are constantly subject to friction. As such, you need to lubricate these parts regularly to slow down the wear and tear of these parts. Besides, it will be best if you clean your circular saw often. Remove debris and dust after using the circular saw.
After cleaning, you can put a few drops of oil on the parts that need oiling to keep the circular saw in top-notch condition. This way, you can keep your circular saw working smoothly.
Conclusion
You will lose your momentum whenever your circular stop for whatever reason. Such an abrupt stopping of the saw blade is somewhat confusing and rattling for beginners who are just learning the tricks of using the circular saw. However, if you know the possible reasons why your circular saw stops, you can quickly resolve the issue by doing the abovementioned troubleshooting steps.
Of course, whenever the circular saw stops mid-cut, you need to investigate the cause behind it. It will help if you rule out the possible causes to zero in on the actual cause. This way, you can do the necessary troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.
Jason is a 40-year-old woodworker, carpenter and author who have been involved in the woodworking and woodcraft industry with 17 years of experience. He is expertise in technical aspects, woodcraft and furniture building projects.