Small circular saw reco's...

[Scott Douglas]

I'm going to be working on a project for my wife. It involves painting some 2'x2' boards with patterns in different colors. She has these mounted on the fence as art for the garden.
What I had in mind is cutting the 'lines' between the colors about 1/8" deep so I could paint them black easily. Just lay the paint in the groove type of thing.
What I'm looking for is recommendations for a small, easy to handle circular saw that could do it. I borrowed a friends Skil saw but it weighs a ton and would be like using a sledge hammer to put in a tack, IMO.
What do you guys use/recommend?
I'd use it to make model train loads out of small wood after this project is done.

[Scott Douglas]

Here's a shot of what I'm trying to replicate.

I've already purchased the 2x2 pieces. They're 1/2" thick and sanded on one side type plywood.

[Superman]

The straightest cut would be made using a table saw. An even bigger sledgehammer, but you could do a whole bunch of cuts in a few minutes.

I have a hand-held circular saw with a blade about 3" in diameter. Dremel brand. Corded. The blade has a REALLY narrow kerf. It might not be easy to get paint into that cut.

[Superman]

I have a friend whose wife makes barn quilts.

[masraum]

I don't have a specific recommendation, but I'm thinking something battery powered and with one of the little blades (4 1/2" I think).

[Scott Douglas]

My wife makes quilts. Don't know if they qualify as barn or not, but she has lots of 'em.

[dad911]

I like the Harbor Freight 20v Bauer saw. There are also compact/mini circular saws available (4-1/2" blade) but I have not used one.

I would use a table saw or a trim router for making 1/8" grooves.

[Scott Douglas]

I'm willing to spend the time to set up an edge to follow with the saw. I'm just not sure a really 'cheap' HF saw will work or if I should spend a little more to avoid frustration and such.

[Scott Douglas]

Is something like this:
https://www.harborfreight.com/58-amp-4-12-in-compact-circular-saw-56164.html
Going to be powerful enough to not get bogged down going 1/8" deep?

[look 171]

Use a guide and run a Dermal with a small 1/8" straight cut blade. The cut is only about 1/8" deep? I think they come with a flat base that allow it to be used like a small router. Safe to use and its not too powerful and easy to handle. Guild it along a piece of wood with couple clamps. Table saw with a miter gauge is the easiest if you can access one.

[look 171]

[DerkPerk]

I’m love my small Makita battery circular saw. Light weight and plenty of power. Being a hand held saw, accuracy can vary. Some Skill is needed to cut straight…


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[Superman]

Originally Posted by look 171

Use a guide and run a Dermal with a small 1/8" straight cut blade. The cut is only about 1/8" deep? I think they come with a flat base that allow it to be used like a small router. Safe to use and its not too powerful and easy to handle. Guild it along a piece of wood with couple clamps. Table saw with a miter gauge is the easiest if you can access one.

Yes. My dremel with the 3" blade has the flat base. Adjustable depth. Like the Bauer link above, only with a 3" blade. But again, the kerf is quite narrow compared to a regular-sized circular saw blade. The blade is made from what I would call sheet metal.

[Scott Douglas]

I think the ideal cut would be 1/4" wide and 1/8" deep, just enough to cut the veneer of the plywood but wide enough to give a good 'line' when looking at the designs.

[herr_oberst]

If I was doing that, I'd use a 1/8" palm gouge and a straightedge. So much more control than if I was using a power tool....

[Scott Douglas]

I could easily see that going right thru my hand herr_oberst. As my brother would say, I don't have a good history with tools like that.

[Superman]

1/4" is a WIDE kerf.

[KFC911]

I can cut an absolutely straight line with my corded circular saw .... but it came with a mediocre blade originally. A friend (pro window/door installer) was using it at my house years ago.... said "put a good blade on it, and you'll have a good saw"...

I did and he was right

[flatbutt]

This one has been great for small lumber

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/dewalt-20v-max-4-1-2in-cordless-circular-saw-dcs571b-1556866?cid=Shopping-Bing-Product1556866-&msclkid=0571796ec551175190cc1d52f3991180&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20-%20All%20Products&utm_term=4585375807245420&utm_content=All%20Products

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I think the ideal cut would be 1/4" wide and 1/8" deep, just enough to cut the veneer of the plywood but wide enough to give a good 'line' when looking at the designs.

Different size bits can be had. Its a shallow cut so the typical cordless Dremel will cut it like butter. I would use a router or lam. trimmer but its not a tool that get used often for most people whereas a Dermel is nice to have around.