How To Change The Blade On A Porter Cable Circular Saw

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Porter-Cable is a leading name in the market when it comes to circular saws. Robust and fast-cutting, they can cut any material from lumber to concrete – with the proper blade health & hygiene! If you’re wondering how to change the blade on the Porter-Cable circular saw, then you’ve come to the right place.

How To Change The Blade On A Porter-Cable Circular Saw

Changing a Porter-Cable circular saw’s blade can be tricky the first time, especially if you’re unaware of the ABCs of the saw. Therefore, below I’ve provided all the necessary details required to carry out this procedure effortlessly.

Step #1: Unplug the Saw & Remove the Old Blade

It is vital to unplug the circular saw from the power cord or outlet before setting up or making any adjustments to the saw. Doing so will ensure maximum safety and help you avoid dangerous accidents like the saw starting suddenly amid the changing process.

The first step to remove the blade is to press down on the spindle lock button. Simply rotate the blade and stop when the spindle lock disengages. Then, turn the retaining screw in the anticlockwise direction using a wrench. This will remove the blade.

Man holding a circular saw

Lastly, you will have to detach the outer washer along with the previously installed circular saw blade that you wish to replace.

It is in the best interest of any DIYer to wear safety gloves while removing the blade. To read more about the safety measures, click here.

Step #2: Change the Circular Saw Blade

To change the blade, first pull the lower blade guard back using the retracting lever.

Once you’ve done that, keep the circular saw blade of your choice on the spindle shaft. Keep in mind that the arrow on the tool and the arrow on the blade points must point in the same direction. Now, release the blade guard.

If you’re unsure how to choose the right blade, go through this guide to learn some tips to help you find the ideal one.

Warning!

The lower blade guard reduces the chances of severe personal injury. It is meant to be a safety feature, and thus, it would be wise never to use a saw if there’s no lower blade guard. It is true even if the lower blade guard is damaged or disassembled.

You must perform these checks yourself to ensure safety at all times. Get your saw serviced as soon as you notice issues with the lower blade guard.

Step #3: Secure the Blade

I’m nearly there! The last step is to secure the blade firmly so that it does not slide out. It can be detrimental to the process and has the potential to cause injuries.

You will have to ensure that the outer washer on the spindle is placed firmly against the larger flat surface of the blade.

Then insert the saw blade retaining screw into the hole and keep the spindle lock button pressed down. Move on to tighten the retaining screw by twisting it in the clockwise direction. The retaining screw must be safe and secure to avoid any mishaps.

Closeup of a circular saw

You can make use of a sturdy wrench to twist the retaining screw properly.

Click here to watch the video on ‘how to change a circular saw blade?’ to get a more transparent, better, and proper visual understanding of the steps mentioned above from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Change a Porter-Cable Circular Saw Blade?

Push the spindle lock button, rotate the blade, and stop after it disengages. Use an anticlockwise motion to rotate the retaining screw with a wrench.

Use the retracting lever to pull back the lower blade guard. Place the new blade and align the arrows of blade points and the saw. Release the blade guard. Now you can change the blade.

How Do You Remove the Blade from a Porter-Cable Circular Saw Blade?

First off, make sure that the Porter-Cable circular saw is switched off. Press the spindle lock button and rotate the blade to disengage the lock. Rotate the retaining screw in an anticlockwise manner. Remove the outer washer. That’s it – you should be able to remove the blade by following the steps correctly.

How To Change Circular Saw Blades

Conclusion

Stay safe at all times when detaching, placing, and securing the circular saw blade. Replace the blade regularly and choose the right blade to improve the functioning of the saw. Porter-Cable Saws are trusted for their safety features, but you have to stay alert to prevent injury.

Knowing when to change the saw blade can be either intuitive or based on physical observations. For example, it’s intuitive when you feel the blade is not efficient enough to make perfect cuts. Physical observations could be when the blades look rusty and damaged.

This practice will help you get the best cuts with maximum accuracy.

An expert at home repair, remodel, and DIY projects for nearly 40 years. His first experience came in completely restoring an antique home. Completely redone from the inside out, and restored to its original form, the home is a featured design by renowned Southern California Architect Cliff May, considered to be the father of the California Ranch Home. Now Dennis spends his time on fine woodworking projects and tool comparisons.