Part of Lesson Plan: Portable Circular Saw

Activity Overview / Details

With the saw unplugged, have each student take a turn and step up to check the saw guard for snap back, make sure the angles are correct,  and set the blade depth to about ¼ inch below the stock to be cut. The instructor will watch the students closely.

With the instructor still watching, the student will put on safety glasses, and then will plug the saw in.

Standing just behind and off to the side, the student will then cut a piece of lumber.  After the cut, the student will correctly set the saw down and unplug the power cord. The instructor will make sure that all the proper steps were taken while operating the saw. If the student forgot a procedure, the instructor will remind him or her on the spot and will have the student take the necessary steps to make corrections.

NOTE: The student must not be allowed to miss any steps, especially those steps having to do with safety.

Also, no matter how well a student learns how to use this saw, supervision must always be present when the student is operating the portable circular saw. And there will be times during projects where we may have students operating this saw.