Using an angle grinder as a circular saw

last year

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?

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central_valley
Original Author

last year

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
last year
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.
klem1
last year
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
last year
last modified: last year

Perhaps one of these?
central_valley
Original Author
last year
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.
rwiegand
last year
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.
rainiel
last year
Did you look at an image of the toe kick saw I suggested?
central_valley thanked rainiel
central_valley
Original Author
last year
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.
rainiel
last year
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.