Many people finds their Skil circular saw impossible to get back into its case. Job complete! Cut done.
Now how do you put this thing away? It’s easy in concept, but trying to stuff that tool into its case makes you want to jam it up with more force… But still no luck.
You think it will be easier next time (nope). You’re not alone; nearly every owner of any corded power tools experiences this frustration. Manufacturers focus on how well a tool fit in a box instead of how well it fits back in the box after use.
They make boxes to stack efficienty on truck docks, not to work well when someone want to clean up project area. You look at a big enough hole and think: Surely my tool must have grown. Nope, it hasn’t.
There’s something you missed about storing it and it isn’t in manual. You’re not going to beat this by brute force; instead, you have to understand how the case fits together with the saw, and then you know where things need to be adjusted to get it in there smoothly. You won’t has stress cracks on the plastic case or strain your wrist to get it into place.
Takes less than a minute to figure out how to do it, and you save yourself five minutes of wrestling with it each time you clean up.
Steps to Fit Circular Saw Into Case
Why Circular Saws Are Hard to Store
Reset the Blade Angle to Zero
Blade angle If there’s one place to start, this is it: Blade angle. On most circular saws, the base can be tilted for beveled cuts and that’s no exception with Skil models.
However, you’ll notice the case are molded for zero degrees. This might mean you finished cutting at a fifteen-degree angle but forgot to reset base. The second the blade hits the wall of the cavity, something has to give.
Return the base to perfectly flat and lock it down. This orients the blade parallel to the floor of the case, removing the most likely point of obstruction.
Extend the Blade Guard Fully
The next item to check is the blade guard. The blade guard on most Skil saws snap into place, covering the blade when the trigger is released. There is often a specific slot or contour in the case designed to accommodate the guard. When the guard is not fully extended but somehow wedged against the case lid, it will interfere with closing the case.
Gently push the guard forward manualy until it is completely over the blade. This is how the engineers intended the tool to sit and it lowers the overall height of the tool.
Engage the Trigger Lock
And then there’s this little thing called the trigger lock, something you don’t notice until it gets in the way all the time. Several Skills is equipped with a lockout where the trigger won’t be pulled unless you want it to, though the switch can extend out far enough to snag on the interior trim. If yours does have such a lockout, engage it because that makes the handle area flat, turning it all into a single solid block without any moving parts sticking out to the side.
Manage the Power Cord
Next, let’s talk about the power cord: A coiled cord in the case behave like a spring and pushes the saw up or tilts it out to one side.
Before inserting the tool, manage the cord by tucking it into the side cord wrap (if your saw has one) or wrapping it loosely around the handle. Don’t jam it in first and then shove the saw; that leaves a cushion of wire with no support. To reduce bulk and keep it from bunching up and lifting the base plate, secure the cord tight against the body.
Use the Correct Insertion Angle
Last, be aware that the angle of insertion is important; don’t attempt to force the saw straight down the hole. Frequently, the opening is slightly smaller than the saw at the very top rim, forcing you to angle the saw and slide the front edge in first as you let it ease itself downward. Stop if necessary to clear any obstruction, rather than force it because this will crack the plastic.
But when done right, you have a snug fit every time for the next task. You don’t need to be an engineer to get your Skil circular saw into its case, just a couple of seconds of forethought: Slide it in gently with the cord tucked, the trigger locked, the guard closed and the angle adjusted. It fits because you treated the case as a container of rules.
Follow them and you’re home free; break them and you could of been frustrated.