How Do I Change The Blade On A Skilsaw?

By Jerry Garner Jan 28, 2009 9:06 am EST

Things Needed

Circular saw blade
3/4" wrench (or socket)

Tip

You can add specialty blades to your Skilsaw to make it easier to cut through specific materials, such as using a masonry blade to cut through brick or concrete.

Warning

Handle your saw blades with care. Even an old, dull blade can make serious cuts to human flesh.

Skil is a brand of circular saws. The brand is so widely recognized that most people refer to any circular saw as a Skilsaw, much as some people refer to photocopiers as a Xerox machine. Skilsaws are among the most important tools used in construction, particularly on job sites that require the measuring and cutting of lumber. The blades on these saws are highly durable, but do eventually wear out with use. This makes it essential to change the blade on your Skilsaw periodically, to make sure that all of your cuts are clean and have a minimal amount of wood splintering at the end of the cut. Changing the blade on a Skilsaw is a relatively simple process that can be done in just a few short minutes.

Step 1

Turn the Skilsaw off. Then unplug the Skilsaw from the wall so there is no power to the motor. If your Skilsaw was in use at the time you decided to change the blade, let the saw sit for 10 minutes so the blade has time to cool.

Step 2

Press the red button to lock the blade. Locking the blade holds it in place and prevents it from being able to turn freely. Restricting the movement of the blade will reduce the chances of being accidentally cut while changing the blade on your Skilsaw.

Step 3

Lift the safety guard. The safety guard on most Skilsaws is a plastic sheath that covers the blade when it is not making a cut. Lifting the guard slides it out of the way and exposes the blade so it can be removed and replaced.

Step 4

Use a 3/4" wrench to remove the retaining bolt from the center of the blade on your Skilsaw. A 3/4" socket wrench works just as well. When the retaining bolt has been removed, the blade on the Skilsaw will be loose, and can be lifted out and set to the side. Note that, on some Skilsaw models, there is a simple nut that is removed, rather than a bolt.

Step 5

Place the new blade on the Skilsaw. Line up the hole in the center of the Skilsaw blade with the hole the retaining bolt goes in. Make sure the teeth on the saw blade angle downward on the front side of the saw, so that they will cut down into material as the blade spins in a clockwise motion.

Step 6

Replace the retaining bolt to lock the new blade into position. Tighten the bolt all the way using a 3/4" wrench. Once the blade has been replaced, slide the safety guard back into position and release the red safety lock button so that the blade will be able to turn again.