Why Does My Circular Saw Overheat?

July 19, 2023

Woodworkers love using the circular saw because it is handy and can make different cuts. It can cut through all sorts of wood, whether construction lumber, plywood, solid hardwood stock, pressure-treated lumber, and many other materials. Yet, like any power tool subjected to rigorous usage, it requires care and maintenance. And if you fail to maintain it regularly, chances are, it might overheat.

If the motor of your circular saw starts overheating, you must quickly take action and turn off your circular saw. There might be myriad reasons it overheats, so you need to figure out the cause of the overheating of your circular saw.

Factors Contributory to the Overheating of the Circular Saw

If you overwork your circular saw, it will more likely overheat. Overworking your circular saw means if it is small and has a maximum cutting depth, you should not push it hard to make larger and deeper cuts. If you do otherwise, its motor will be overworked and will overheat. 

Your circular saw blade might also overheat if the saw blade is dull and blunt. Thus, ensure you’re using a sharp circular saw blade when cutting. Using a blunt saw blade will likely cause scorched marks and burns on the wood’s face. Besides, smoke may emit as you cut along the wood. 

The circular saw is a challenging power tool to use. You need to exert extra care when using it, for it can cause injury if you misuse it. Thus, you need to follow the safety tips when using the circular saw. You must wear your safety gear, use the right saw blade, inspect the material you will cut, set the correct cutting depth, and regularly maintain your circular saw.  

Primary Causes of Overheating Circular Saw 

As a beginner, you might get rattled once your circular saw overheats. It will help, therefore, if you know the following primary reasons why circular saw overheats:

Too Much Friction

Since the circular saw consists of many moving parts, many of these parts experience a high level of friction. If you’re using, for example, a dull saw blade, the friction level can intensify, leading to overheating of blades. 

When the saw blade overheats, the thermal switch automatically stops the saw blade. Hence, it will help to avoid subjecting the saw blade to too much friction when cutting.

Buildup of Dust Inside the Housing on Some Components

If you’re not used to cleaning your circular saw after using it, dust might accumulate on the inside components, leading to many issues and problems. Dust buildup, for example, might lead to less ventilation for the parts and increased transfer of heat, leading to overheating the motor.

Lack of Lubrication

As mentioned above, you will find moving parts inside if you dismantle the circular saw. Some of these moving parts must be lubricated to reduce friction and lessen heat buildup. The bearings, for example, are always in constant friction when you use the circular saw. If you don’t lubricate them, they might overheat. 

To know the primary cause of overheating, you can dismantle the circular saw and check the part that causes the overheating. Once you’ve zeroed in on the leading cause of overheating, you can take corrective action to remedy the issue. 

How Do You Prevent the Overheating of the Circular Saw Motor?

Preventive measures are always better than a total overhaul of your circular saw. So, if you’re a regular user of the circular saw, you must engage in regular maintenance of your circular saw and follow these succinct tips to prevent the overheating of the circular saw motor:

• Ensure that the circular saw gets calibrated correctly. Set the saw blade at the correct angle. This way, you can ensure that the circular saw doesn’t get much friction and works smoothly.

• Don’t overwork your circular saw by cutting without respite. It will be best to take regular breaks to allow the circular saw motor and the blade to cool down. 

• Ensure you keep the components of the circular saw clean and lubricated. Remember that sawdust buildup over time can cause this power tool to overheat. 

• Turn off the circular saw when you notice that the blade is overheating. This way, you can prevent the overheating of the motor and the blade and avoid burning wood. 

• Ensure you use a sharp saw blade when cutting. A dull saw blade will make the motor work harder, which can lead to overheating. 

• Avoid overloading the circular saw. Know the capacity of your circular saw and only work within its specified capability. This way, you will not overload or strain your circular saw motor. 

• Once the motor overheats, you should turn off the circular saw quickly. Let it cool, and refrain from operating it until it cools down. 

• Ensure you use a miter gauge and saw fence to serve as guides when cutting. This way, you can reduce friction and enable the circular saw to work efficiently. 

Conclusion

Knowledge is power, and if you know how to use your circular saw correctly, you can avoid many issues concomitant with its use, like overheating of the circular saw. Following the succinct tips mentioned above will be best to ensure your circular saw will not overheat but will work smoothly when you use it. 

It will also help to follow the safety precautions to ensure the safe use of your power tool. Keep your feet grounded and keep the cord out of the way. Focus on the cutting process one hundred percent, and don’t let your guard down even for a second because an accident can happen if you lose focus and become listless.