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As a flooring contractor, I’m often asked what circular saw I recommend for cutting hardwood floor boards to width. Ripping long planks of oak, maple, or exotic hardwood requires a saw that’s up to the task. Through years of installations, I’ve identified the ideal features and blade combinations to make the job easier.
Powerful Motor
Look for 15 amp motors or larger to power through dense hardwood without bogging down. Models around 6-7 1/4″ like the DeWalt DWE575 provide plenty of cutting torque. Underpowered saws can deflect off the work or burn the wood.
Precision Adjustments
A smoothly adjustable bevel scale and positive detents allow dealing in precise 0-2 degree bevel angles. This prevents creeping off perpendicular during long rip cuts. The adjustable foot plate also improves accuracy.
Good Dust Control
Ripping flooring produces loads of fine sawdust. Look for saws with effective dust chutes and vacuum adapter ports to contain the mess while cutting. Your lungs will thank you.
Thin Kerf Blade
A thin kerf rip blade around 1/8″ thick cuts faster and with less wear compared to wide 7/16″ framing blades. Just make sure the saw’s arbor accommodates thin kerf sizes. Reduce passes for cleaner cuts.
Carbide Tips
Carbide-tipped rip blades stay sharper than high-speed steel when slicing through dense exotic hardwoods all day long. Keep extras on hand for quick changes to maintain peak cutting performance.
With the right saw and technique, rip cutting hardwood planks is efficient and satisfying. Follow these tips to choose a circular saw that makes flooring jobs go smoother from start to finish. Let me know if you have any other flooring saw questions!
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