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The Daily Insight

How does a plunge saw work

Author

Sophia Edwards

Published Apr 01, 2026

A plunge saw is like a circular saw with a blade that spins and cuts, only with much more sophistication and accuracy. Rather than the guard retracting to expose the blade when cutting, such as with a circular saw, it has a fixed guard and the blade is exposed when plunging the handle to the pre-set depth.

Whats the difference between a plunge saw and a circular saw?

A plunge saw is like a circular saw with a blade that spins and cuts, only with much more sophistication and accuracy. Rather than the guard retracting to expose the blade when cutting, such as with a circular saw, it has a fixed guard and the blade is exposed when plunging the handle to the pre-set depth.

How deep can a plunge saw cut?

This plunge saw has a 12-amp motor, can make bevel cuts from -1 to 48 degrees (with positive stops at 0, 22.5, and 45 degrees), and has a depth of cut as much as 2 3/16 inches.

Do you really need a plunge saw?

I would always recommend using a plunge saw with dust extraction. You will not only save time in getting the job done, but you will also prolong blade and tool life, protect yourself and others from inhaling potentially harmful dust particles along with saving loads of time in cleaning up afterwards.

Which is the best plunge saw?

  • Bosch GKT 55 GCE – BEST CHOICE PLUNGE CUT SAW 2021.
  • Festool TS 55 EBQ.
  • Makita SP6000. 4.0.
  • Metabo KSE55 Vario Plus. 3.0.

Can any circular saw be used as a track saw?

A circular saw can be used for all the same functions as a track saw, but doesn’t necessarily do them quite as well. If you’re on a budget, you can turn your circular saw into a makeshift track saw with straight edge guide. You can make your own circular saw jig, or buy one instead.

Are track saws worth it?

Track saws make long, precise cuts faster and better than table saws and circular saws. They are light and portable, don’t need clamps and set up quickly and accurately.

What is the space between two protruding teeth on a saw blade called?

Gullet – The gullet refers to the space between each tooth on the blade. A wider gullet produces a bigger chip of material cut.

Can you plunge cut with a straight router bit?

Straight router bits with cutting edges that extend half to all of the way across the base of the bit, will allow it to plunge cut.

Are all plunge saw tracks the same?

Not all plunge saws are supplied with tracks, or even designed to be used with them (e.g smaller machines like the Draper MPS600SF Mini Plunge Saw).

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What does plunge cut mean?

A technique of cutting that creates a beginning hole for the insertion of a saber saw. The blade is held flush with the surface of the wood. As the saw is angled to the standard position the cut is finished.

Why is Festool so good?

So what makes Festool so good? We believe it’s because Festool has focused on creating high-performing tools that are robust, reliable and precise. Their numerous innovations, like their dust extractors and cordless options, put Festool in a league of their own.

Does Bosch make a track saw?

The Bosch GKT13-225 Track Saw with Plunge Action delivers precision and power, ideal for making table-saw quality cuts to wood and wood-based sheet goods such as laminated particle boards and plywood. The track-guidance system provides exact adjustments for precision end-to-end cuts and plunge cuts.

What is a track saw UK?

The plunge saw, also frequently known as the track saw, is one of the lesser-known power tools. The plunge saw is similar to and often confused with the closely-related circular saw due to its physical similarity and overlapping use.

Can you use a DeWalt circular saw on a track?

The DWS5022 is a reversible 1.5 metre track for use with the DWS520 plunge saws, as well as other DeWalt circular saws and routers. It features a support rail which runs up the middle and distributes weight effectively to deliver an accurate cut.

What are spiral bits used for?

They are excellent bits to use when cutting material in a router table since they tend to hold the work piece to the table itself. Ideal for mortise and tenons, grooving, slotting or routing deep blind holes. Down-cut Bits cut slower and push chips away from the router to eliminate top surface splintering.

Can you use a router to cut plywood?

Yes a router can be used to cut right through wood and sometimes it makes sense to do so. It leaves nice clean edges, can cut sharp curves and can follow a template.

Which is better fixed or plunge router?

Plunge routers are best suited for projects that require you to start cutting in the middle of your workpiece, such as when making decorative designs. Fixed base routers, on the other hand, are ideal for smaller trims. They also handle edge work with more precision.

Can you put a plunge router in a router table?

Yes, it’s okay to use a plunge router in a router table, but some work better than others. Safety practices might vary depending on the type of mechanism your setup uses for the router lift, but generally speaking, using a plunge router in a router table is just as safe as using a fixed-base router.

What is the difference between a plunge router and a palm router?

Users who like to make mortise and tenon joinery or timber framing may want to consider a plunge router. … Another consideration, the palm router, comes in both fixed and plunge models, but they’re smaller, lighter, and easier to use with one hand. They often have a bit less power, so keep that in mind.

Why is it called a kerf?

The width of a saw cut is called kerf. That’s an Anglo-Saxon word related to our word carve. The kerf of a lumber saw — the width of its cut — might be 3/8 of an inch. … So we made fast saws with a wide kerf — like half an inch.

What is the groove left by a saw blade?

Kerf: The narrow channel left behind by the saw and (relatedly) the measure of its width. The kerf depends on several factors: the width of the saw blade; the set of the blade’s teeth; the amount of wobble created during cutting; and the amount of material pulled out of the sides of the cut.

What is a ripping blade?

Rip blades are optimized to cut through wood with, or along the grain. Typically used for initial cuts, they clear long fibers of wood where there is less resistance than when cutting across the grain.

Can I use Makita track with Festool?

Festool and Makita tracks are similar enough that they are mutually compatible in almost all respects. That means that you can use a Makita track with a Festool saw, and vice versa, and get most of the same functionality.