Question about circular saw baseplate shapes

[GSMotorrad]

Why do some circular saws have this 45º shoulder in the shoe? If it's important, what can this type of baseplate do that a rectangular one can't do?

I was using a straight-edge as a fence to cut straight, then I hit that bevelled area on the saw's baseplate, and the saw instantly went off course. It gets squirrely as that obtuse shoulder on the shoe gets closer to the edge. I guess I'll always have to use the other side against the fence, since my shoe's platform has been weight-relieved. The other side's blade-to-shoe-edge distance varies with the kerf of different blades, where the other side that has the 45º shoulder doesn't need to factor kerf when changing blades, and the distance always remains the same. It seems like I'm giving up a lot of utility for this 45º angle cutaway in my aerodynamic shoe, and I have no idea what the gains are, if any.

I was wondering if this is a feature, and what its purpose is. I can't visualize a reason for this bevel, unless it's for some clearance situation that I'm unaware of.

What am I missing?

 

[matt_i]

My opinion is that its a cost saving feature in the die casting.

My 1990s Porter cable has a rectangular shoe.

Assuming you setup a fence to rip a piece of plywood, by the time you lost contact with the fence, the blade would already be out of the work...

Also, there is the option of using the other side of the shoe, different measurement, but fenced on that side, the motor can doesn't interfere requiring uplift and loss of depth of cut. Both sides are ultimately useful and required on different jobs.

 

[nine4gmc]

Im thinking it is a purpose design and makes someones job easier. Maybe a particular cut is easier with that corner notch?

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

[Gotcha640]

I have an older circular saw with a stamped steel plate that's curved up around the edge for rigidity. It's not in the best shape, so I made a zero clearance base plate out of hdpe with a perfectly straight edge. Lost 3/16 depth of cut, but those cuts are now straight.

 

[GSMotorrad]

My opinion is that its a cost saving feature in the die casting.

My 1990s Porter cable has a rectangular shoe.

Assuming you setup a fence to rip a piece of plywood, by the time you lost contact with the fence, the blade would already be out of the work...

Also, there is the option of using the other side of the shoe, different measurement, but fenced on that side, the motor can doesn't interfere requiring uplift and loss of depth of cut. Both sides are ultimately useful and required on different jobs.

If it's a cost-saving feature, I feel ripped off. The angled cutaway in my 7-1/4" Milwaukee 2731 loses its ability to be pressed up against the fence towards the end of the cut. The cutaway part of the shoe has nothing to keep the saw aligned at about 3" before the cut is finished. You have to free-arm it for that last 3" or so, and all my cuts aren't square for those last 3". Looks like this is going to be a deal-breaker for me. I like my fence on my left side, so I might have to get a different saw, instead of changing my way of doing things to accommodate a cost-saving measure that only inhibits my workflow.

 

[GSMotorrad]

I have an older circular saw with a stamped steel plate that's curved up around the edge for rigidity. It's not in the best shape, so I made a zero clearance base plate out of hdpe with a perfectly straight edge. Lost 3/16 depth of cut, but those cuts are now straight.

That's a good idea, but for the price I paid, I shouldn't have to fabricate one of its main elements to be able to use it. Returning it for a cheaper saw that doesn't try to save a few bucks on a vital portion of the shoe seems like it'd be easier.

 

[Gotcha640]

Off you go then.

I don't think I've ever bought a tool that I haven't improved with a jig or a base plate or an out feed table or a clamping table or something.

 

[GSMotorrad]

That's a good idea, even if I have to drill holes in this baseplate, I don't know why I should be worried about "resale value" - It's mine, so might as well have at it. Good point.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

What happened to the pic?

 

[jack stand]

My observation from using many different brands over many years in a commercial framing enviroment, is that the base plate is only supported (on the back side) in the middle and a framing "guy" will pick up and drop that saw hundreds of times a day, 6 days a week. That left, back corner usually hits the deck first and catches hell distorting the whole thing after time, soon making the plate out of parallel with the blade among other things. With that corner nipped off, the shock load from dropping (a few inches) is a lot closer to the support point. Not a lot of "fence" use in these situations for which the saw was primarily designed for. If we use a "fence", it's on the right, the motor will not clear any fence over about 1/2" tall on the left side unless your depth of cut is not much.

 

[Gotcha640]

That left, back corner usually hits the deck first and catches hell distorting the whole thing after time, soon making the plate out of parallel with the blade among other things.

That's a very good idea. I would never have thought of that.

 

[GSMotorrad]

What happened to the pic?

I don't know, but it's showing up now.

My observation from using many different brands over many years in a commercial framing enviroment, is that the base plate is only supported (on the back side) in the middle and a framing "guy" will pick up and drop that saw hundreds of times a day, 6 days a week. That left, back corner usually hits the deck first and catches hell distorting the whole thing after time, soon making the plate out of parallel with the blade among other things. With that corner nipped off, the shock load from dropping (a few inches) is a lot closer to the support point. Not a lot of "fence" use in these situations for which the saw was primarily designed for. If we use a "fence", it's on the right, the motor will not clear any fence over about 1/2" tall on the left side unless your depth of cut is not much.

sounds good to me.

 

[Zeke]

I don't see any image. I wish I knew what you are talking about. How about a link?

Is it this?

Edit: I see it now by right clicking the box. Took me to Photobucket. I wish I knew the answer as I've been using circular saws for some 50+ years and I've never come across this. In fact, none of my saws have this feature(?).