circular saw

Introduction

The circular saw is the single most indispensable tool for building a deck. As quality has improved and prices have fallen, the circular saw has become a staple for most do-it-yourselfers. It requires minimal maintenance, has a short learning curve, and is relatively safe to use. This versatile tool is capable of ripping, crosscutting, straightening edges, plowing out notches, and cutting bevels. You'll need this tool not only for such straightforward tasks as trimming deck boards but for making plunge cuts into siding to make room for ledger boards (see Installing the Ledger, Related Projects) and for trimming posts (see Marking and Cutting Posts, Related Projects).