How to Remove Circular Saw Blade – Safety Guide

remove circular saw blade

A sharp blade is crucial if you want to ensure clean precise cuts. It is important that you change your blade or remove it to clean the saw every once in a while.

If your circular saw has worn out and you are confused about how to remove or replace the blade, this guide will help you out. 

We have added everything you need to know with tips, advice, and much more. 

Quick Summary


The following information will be discussed in the article: 

  • How to change a circular saw blade 
  • How to remove the blade of different saws 
  • Why you should replace the blade of the saw 
  • Quick tips, Advice, & FAQs

How to Remove Your Circular Saw Blade – Step-by-Step Guide

There is no doubt that a sharp blade will improve the performance of your work significantly. 

If you want to avoid making poor cuts, we suggest it’s time to remove your circular saw blade and change it to a new one. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change the blade.

Step 1: Ensure Safety 

This step is crucial if you want to prevent any accidents. We suggest that you bolt your circular saw to a wooden surface. 

Here are a few important things you need to keep in mind: 

  • Remove the battery of your circular saw blade 
  • Unplug your circular saw
  • We strongly advise you to wear gloves to protect your hand
  • You can also use carbide tips for finger protection 

Pro tip: If you have a manual saw, we would suggest that you go through the manual that comes with your saw first. 

Step 2: Locate the Wrench 

Now that you’ve taken all necessary precautionary methods, you need to locate the wrench that comes with your circular saw. 

If you own a corded saw, you might have an open-end wrench. However, most battery saws come with an Allen wrench. 

Quick Tip: If you’ve lost the wrench that comes with your circular saw blade, you could use an open-end or socket wrench. 

Step 3: Unlock and Adjust the Base Plate 

Then, you will have to unlock and adjust the base plate. You would want to rotate it to the lowest position. This will give you more room to work. 

Step 4: Unlock the Bolt

Once your blade is in place, find the blade lock or the lever on your circular saw. This is usually on the backside of the blade’s upper guard. 

Begin with pressing on the lock button and simultaneously place the wrench over the bolt and rotate it until you feel that the lock is secure in one place. 

You can use your wrench to loosen the grip of the bolt. Continue doing this until you can unscrew the bolt completely. 

Which Way Should I Turn the Bolt of My Circular Saw Blade? 

Usually, the bolt will loosen in the same direction the blade rotates. However, for a corded right-hand saw, the bolt is likely to loosen anticlockwise. 

What Should I Do if There is No Blade Lock On My Circular Saw? 

We noticed that a few old blade saws come with neither a shaft lock nor a blade lock.

In this case, there are two different ways through which you could hold the blade in place. 

  1. You can begin with raising the base of the plate until the teeth of the blade touch the wooden surface. 
  2. The second method is to get some Vice-grips and clamp the saw with them while you loosen the bolt.

Step 5: Remove the Blade

Once the bolt and the outer washer have been removed, you can easily lift the shaft and see the base plate.

Pro tip: We would suggest you rotate the retractable blade guard for better visibility. 

Finally, remove the old blade and set it aside. 

How to Remove the Blade of A Craftsman Circular Saw – Quick and Easy Guide 

If you own a craftsman circular saw and want to install new blades, here’s what you need to do. 

  1. Unplug your saw from the wall, or remove the battery. 
  2. Put the saw on the table with the guard raised
  3. Press down on the ‘Spindle Lock’. This is usually located on the top of the saw
  4. Grab your blade wrench and place it on the bolt and turn it clockwise
  5. Loosen the bolt to remove it and the washer

How to Remove the Blade of a Ryobi Circular Saw Blade – Here’s What You Can Do

Ryobi blades are designed to make precise cuts on several types of material. The blades of a Ryobi circular blade have several teeth to make fine quick cuts. 

A damaged blade could mean you need a new circular saw. 

Here’s what you can do to replace your old blade: 

  1. Always remember to remove your blade from the power socket. 
  2. Press down to hold the ‘Spindle Lock’. This will prevent the blade from moving. 
  3. Hold the spindle lock in place and loosen the screw with help of a wrench 
  4. Remove the washer from the blade shaft 
  5. Then, lift the blade guard to remove the blade easily

How to Change a Circular Saw Blade – Quick Guide 

Now that you know how to remove a circular saw blade, the next challenge is to change a circular saw. 

If you want to install a new blade, here’s what you can do: 

  1. Pick up your new blade and place it above the arrow indicating where your saw should be installed

Note: The teeth need to face towards the front of the saw, this means the arrow should be pointing towards the front of the saw. 

  1. Gently place the saw and press the blade lock
  2. Use a wrench to lock the blade in place and screw it on tightly 

Here’s Why You Need to Change Your Circular Saw Blade – In-Depth Guide 

There are several reasons why you might want to change your circular saw blades. 

Let’s discuss some of the factors you might want to consider in detail. 

Dull Blades

Dull blades can lead to poor performance. You wouldn’t want to invest your time and effort in a DIY project and end up getting poor cuts. 

If your blades are not sharp enough, it will make it difficult for you to cut through wood. 

Rusty Blades 

A rusted blade can negatively affect the performance of your work. Your blade might not be able to deliver clean cuts or worse, might not even be able to cut through at all.  

Your Blades Are Burning through the Wood 

In case your blades are burning through the wood pieces instead of cutting them, it’s time to change your circular saw blade. 

Versatility 

If you’re working with different materials and you constantly have to change your blade, we would advise you to invest in an all-in-one blade. 

remove circular saw blade

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs) 

What Does A Circular Saw Blade Look Like? 

A circular saw is a round blade with teeth. These depend on the type of material you want to saw-through. 

You can mount these blades on a surface so that they do not slip whilst you’re using them. 

How Many Teeth Does A Good Circular Saw Have? 

For woodcutting, a circular saw should have a maximum of 25 teeth. Circular saws that have more than 25 teeth are suitable for other materials depending on the thickness. 

How Will I Know If the Blade of my Circular Saw is Blunt? 

If you need to apply access force to cut the material, that means you need to change your circular saw blade. 

How Do I Tighten My Circular Saw Blade? 

Most saws tighten in the same way, which is left to loosen and right to tighten. However, circular saws are different. If you turn right, they will tighten and will loosen if you turn left. 

Some blades even have an arrow marked on the base, if you want to change the blade, you just need to follow the arrow. 

What Steps Should I Take Before I Remove My Circular Saw Blade? 

Here are a few mandatory steps you should keep in mind: 

  1. Remove the battery of your blade or unplug it from the power source.
  2. Take precautionary methods before you remove the blade 
  3. Read your circular saw manual thoroughly 
  4. Find Your circular saw wrench 
  5. Secure your blade to a flat surface for easy access

What Equipment Do I Need to Replace My Circular Saw Blade? 

There are a few mandatory things you should have if you want to change your circular saw blades. 

These include: 

  • A pair of protective gloves 
  • Protective eye-wear 
  • Finger carbides 
  • A wrench

How to Remove Circular Saw Blade – Final Verdict 

Now that we have reached the end of this article, we hope it’s easier for you to understand how to remove a circular saw blade. 

Always remember to take precautionary measures before you remove or change a circular saw blade. 

Read this guide carefully, so that you are aware of everything you need to keep in mind before you install a new blade. 

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