Circular saw kickback

[Lhorn]

I'm not new to novice type woodworking but for some reason, never around to buying a circular saw. Well I got one for Christmas and haven't used it a whole lot yet.

I was cross cutting some 2x6's for use on a bench project. When I'd get 95% of the way through the board, the saw would kickback. Any idea what I'm doing wrong? No nails. I had a saber saw sitting right next to me so I just grabbed it and finished the last 5% of the cut no problem.

Thanks

 

[#1SomeGuy]

Cross cuts? Were both sides of the lumber fully supported? Sounds to me like it was binding up at the end of the cut.

 

[Bull]

I feel like that happens when the cut folds in on itself, pinching/binding the blade. If you allow the piece being cut off to fall away from the blade, opening the gap, then I don't think you'll get a kickback. That's been my experience.

 

[Nowater]

That always happened to me until I bought a more powerful saw and a better blade. Now I can power thru the cut before the cut pinches on the blade and tries to kickback.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I have a mid 90's Dewalt (MADE IN THE USA!) and it does that. I changed blades and that helped. I make sure I am not reaching too far away from me, make sure the cut isnt binding up the blade as others have said, I get kickback more often that I think I should. I have been around Circ saws for years.. One thing I will add, dont cut through the cord... It was surprisingly uneventful... No sparks, pops, flashes, tripped breakers, etc. Just quit working !! Good luck.

 

[andywander]

On a 2x6, when you get most of the way across, it is easy to twist the saw side-to side, or to lift the base plate up partially off of the wood, basically turning or twisting the blade in the cut, so that it binds and kicks back.

Another thing I have seen is that some blade guards will bind when you get them "almost" all the way retracted, as they would be when you are getting to the end of the crosscut on a 2x6.

 

[lotsoftools]

It sounds like it is just binding up towards the end of the cut. You either need to make it so the end will fall away freely, or support the wood enough that the cut won't close in on itself.

 

[Lhorn]

I think you guys are right on the money. The board was supported on both ends but to be honest the supports could have been a little closer together and next time I'll make sure that the side of the board that I'm holding isn't allowed to sag and pinch the blade. I also think that near the end of the cut I was being a little cautious and not pushing through the cut as quickly as I should. It's a new blade so maybe not the greatest but I don't think it's the culprit. Thanks.

 

[KenS]

The board was supported on both ends...

You're pinching the cut. Let one end of the board hang free and make your cut smooth and quick.

This video is hawking a gimmick crosscut square, but also shows the conventional way framers make crosscuts with circular saws. Notice that one end of the board remains free to fall.