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Using an angle grinder as a circular saw

2 months ago

I sometimes get in situation where I need a circular saw, but don't have enough vertical clearance for one. I need an angle grinder anyway, and I'd like to get one that I can also use as a saw.

I looked at a bunch of name-brand angle grinders on Amazon, searching for one that did what I want. That got me nowhere.

I turned to Google: "Can an angle grinder be used as a circular saw?" The answer was, "Sure! Just be sure you get the right diameter blade and it's rated for the grinder's RPM." That's not quite what I want. I need something with a base that will keep the blade at a fixed angle to the workpiece and let me cut in a straight line.

I returned to Amazon and looked for "angle grinder circular saw base." I found several, but they were all aftermarket products made for no particular saw; they cost $8 to $15, and they looked really cheesy.

Can I do any better than that? Or is my only option a piece of junk from a company that won't be there If I have a problem?

Featured Answer

central_valley
Original Author

2 months ago

Alas, neither Amazon USA nor Google proved helpful. Most of the "flush cut saw" matches are hand tools. The electric ones are mostly shaped like a conventional circular saw. The blade is smaller, but since the body is designed to be held in the same size hands, it's almost as big. I found a few saws with angled cylindrical bodies like the ones rweigand posted. I didn't find any that looked like yours.

I did find one oscillating saw with a semicircular blade that will do the job if it can be turned 90 degrees so that it cuts parallel to the axis of the tool instead of perpendicular to it. I could not determine whether the tool allows that. If it doesn't, perhaps some other oscillating saw will. But as long as I will have to buy a separate tool, I will defer the search until I foresee another need for it.

This quest triggered a memory: decades ago, in another house, I faced the problem of cutting underlayment parallel to the wall under a toekick. At the time I didn't know about kickplate saws, or they hadn't been invented. I did it with a circular saw blade mounted on a shaft that fitted my electric drill. No blade guard of any sort. I feel much more mortal now, and I wouldn't do that again even if I had no alternative.

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Comments (9)

rainiel
2 months ago
I think maybe the new style toe kick saws which is a small circular saw with an extension base on it OR an oscillating saw and I guess even a reciprocating saw.
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klem1
2 months ago
I've never had a wood cutting blade on my angle grinders nor will I ever try it. Judging from the occasional kickback while grinding metal I think cutting wood is a quick way to the emergency room.
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rwiegand
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago

Perhaps one of these?
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central_valley
Original Author
2 months ago
I looked at those. When the base is flat against the workpiece, how much clearance does the back of the handle need? I attempted to measure that from the pictures I found, and concluded that it's little if any better than the toe kick saw. But if you have one and will measure it for me, that would give me better information.
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rwiegand
2 months ago
Sorry, not a tool I've ever even seen in person or had any occasion to need. I'd probably use a hand saw like a Japanese saw in a tight space.
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rainiel
2 months ago
Did you look at an image of the toe kick saw I suggested?
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central_valley thanked rainiel
central_valley
Original Author
2 months ago
You didn't post a link or a picture before, and the ones rweigel posted (and the others I saw when I looked at them) did not meet the need. Now that I see it, I can see that it would do what I want.

I'd rather have one tool that does two jobs, but I'd rather have a tool that does this job than not have it! Thank you.

But the picture doesn't show a product name or brand name. Can you tell me who makes it? I already know that if I just search Amazon for "toe kick saws" I won't stumble across it.
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rainiel
2 months ago
Sometimes called a "flush cut saw". If you do a google search you will find quite a few. I did not see any big brand names however I did not do a deep dive. You will see them in Amazon, in Canada anyways. Note I am in Canada.
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