Wen 36725 User manual

7-1/4-INCH
CIRCULAR SAW
Model # 36725
Your new tool has been engineered and manufactured to WEN’s highest standards for dependability, ease
of operation, and operator safety. When properly cared for, this product will supply you years of rugged,
trouble-free performance. Pay close attention to the rules for safe operation, warnings, and cautions. If
you use your tool properly and for its intended purpose, you will enjoy years of safe, reliable service.
IMPORTANT:
NEED HELP? CONTACT US!
Have product questions? Need technical support?
Please feel free to contact us at:
800-232-1195
[email protected]
WENPRODUCTS.COM
(M-F 8AM-5PM CST)
bit.ly/wenvideo
For replacement parts visit
WENPRODUCTS.COM
NOTICE: Please refer to wenproducts.com for the most up-to-date instruction manual.
3087464

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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10
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15
17
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TECHNICAL DATA
Model Number:
Motor:
No-Load Speed:
Bevel Angle:
Maximum Cutting Depth at 0°:
Maximum Cutting Depth at 45°:
Blade Type:
Blade Size:
Arbor Size:
Blade Body Thickness:
Blade Teeth Thickness:
Dust Port Outer Diameter (with Adapter):
Base Plate Dimensions:
Assembled Dimensions:
Product Weight:
36725
AC 120V, 60Hz, 12A
4500 RPM
0° to 45° Right
2-1/2 in. (65 mm)
1-3/4 in. (45 mm)
TCT Circular Blade, 24 Teeth
7-1/4 in. (185 mm)
5/8 in. (15.875 mm)
1.3 to 1.4 mm
2 to 2.1 mm
1-1/2 in.
11 x 5 in.
9-1/4 x 11-5/8 x 10-3/8 in.
8.7 lbs
Technical Data
Safety Introduction
General Safety Rules
Specific Rules for the Circular Saw
Electrical Information
Know Your Circular Saw
Assembly & Adjustments
Operation
Maintenance
Warranty Statement
Exploded View and Parts List
Replacement blades (Model 36725B) can be ordered at
wenproducts.com.
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SAFETY INTRODUCTION
Thanks for purchasing the WEN Circular Saw. If you like sawing things, then this is the right product for you. This
manual provides information regarding potential safety concerns, as well as helpful assembly and operating instruc-
tions. Safe operation of this tool requires that you read and understand this operator’s manual and all labels affixed
to the tool. Safety is a combination of common sense, staying alert, and knowing how your tool works.
SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL: Indicates danger, warning, or caution. The safety symbols and the
explanations with them deserve your careful attention and understanding. Always follow the safety
precautions to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and personal injury. However, please note that
these instructions and warnings are not substitutes for proper accident prevention measures.
WARNING: Do not attempt to operate this tool until you have thoroughly read and understood all instructions,
safety rules, etc., contained in this manual. Failure to comply can result in accidents involving fire, electric shock,
or serious personal injury. Please keep this manual available to all users during the entire life of the tool. Review it
frequently to maximize safety for both yourself and others.
NOTE: The following safety information is not meant to cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur.
WEN reserves the right to change this product and specifications at any time without prior notice.
3

WARNING: Dust generated from certain materials can be hazardous to your health. Always operate
the tool in a well-ventilated area and wear a dust mask. Use dust collection systems when processing
wood and plastics. Dust extractors or dust bags must not be connected when processing metals.
PERSONAL SAFETY
1. Stay alert. Watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power
tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while op-
erating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
2. Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, neckties, or jewelry (rings, watches, etc.) when operating the tool. Inappropri-
ate clothing and items can get caught in moving parts and draw you in. Always wear non-slip footwear and tie back
long hair.
3. Use personal protective equipment. Always wear safety goggles at all times that comply with ANSI Z87.1. Use ear
protection such as plugs or muffs during extended periods of operation. Wear work gloves to protect your hands.
Wear a face mask or dust mask to fight the dust.
4. Keep proper footing and balance at all times and do not overreach when operating the power tool.
Safety is a combination of common sense, staying alert and knowing how your item works.
SAVE THESE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.
WARNING! Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and instruc-
tions may result in electric shock, fire and serious injury. To avoid mistakes and serious injury, do not
plug in your tool until the following steps have been read and understood.
WORK AREA SAFETY
1. Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents. Do not work on floor surfaces that are
slippery with sawdust or wax. Keep the ground clear of tripping hazards.
2. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust.
Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
3. Keep bystanders at a safe distance from the work area. Never allow children or pets near the tool.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
1. Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric
shock. Do not touch the power plug with wet hands.
2. Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Modified plugs with non-matching
outlets will increase the risk of electric shock.
3. Check all power supplies periodically. Do not use defective cords. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk
of electric shock.
4. Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away
from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
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POWER TOOL USE AND CARE
1. Avoid accidental start-ups. Make sure the power switch is in the OFF position before connecting the plug to a
power source or carrying the tool.
2. Check power tool for damaged parts. Check for misalignment of moving parts, jamming, breakage, improper
mounting, or any other conditions that may affect the tool’s operation. Do not use the power tool if the switch does
not turn ON/OFF. Any part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced before use.
3. Do not force the tool to do a job for which it was not designed. Always use the correct tool/accessory for the job
and follow instructions to prevent a hazardous situation.
4. Never stand on the tool. Serious injury could occur if the tool is tipped over or if parts of the tool are unintention-
ally contacted.
5. Remove adjustment tools. Always make sure all adjustment tools or wrenches are removed from the tool before
turning on the power tool.
6. Keep guards in place and in working order before operating the tool. All protection and safety devices must be
in place after completing repair and maintenance procedures.
7. Never leave a running tool unattended. Do not leave the tool until it has come to a complete stop.
POWER TOOL MAINTENANCE
1. Always disconnect the power cord plug from the electrical outlet when making adjustments, changing parts, or
storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
2. Maintain power tools properly. Safely store power tools out of the reach of children. Always keep tools clean and
in good working order. Follow instructions for lubricating and changing accessories.
3. Use only identical replacement parts. Use of any other part can cause personal injury and damage to the tool.
Only have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING
This product and some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities
may contain chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other re-
productive harm. Wash hands after handling.
Some examples of these chemicals are:
• Lead from lead-based paints.
• Crystalline silica from bricks, cement, and other masonry products.
• Arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber.
Your risk from these exposures varies depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure
to these chemicals, work in a well-ventilated area with approved safety equipment such as dust masks specially de-
signed to filter out microscopic particles.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
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WARNING: Do not let comfort or familiarity with the product replace strict adherence to product safety
rules. If you use this tool unsafe or incorrectly, you can suffer serious personal injury.
1. WORK ENVIRONMENT. Do not operate the tool in wet or damp conditions; doing so significantly increases
the risk of electrical shock. Do not operate the tool in the presence of flammable liquids or gases. When operating
the tool from an elevated position, be aware of people or things beneath you.
2. PERSONAL SAFETY. Always wear ANSI Z87.1-approved glasses, a dust mask and hearing protection when
using the saw. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry as they might get drawn in by the tool.
3. PREVENTING ELECTRIC SHOCK. When working with the tool, make sure to keep the blade away from
any power cables, extension cords or wiring. Only hold the tool by insulated gripping surfaces when performing an
operation in case the cutter contacts its own cord. Cutting a “live” wire may make exposed metal parts of the tool
“live” and could give the operator an electric shock.
4. INSPECT YOUR TOOL BEFORE OPERATION. Before operation, check the tool for any damage or miss-
ing parts. Do not use the tool if any part is missing or damaged. Do not use the tool if the power switch is faulty, the
plug or cable is damaged, or the tool produces sparks, smoke, or unpleasant odors (you may smell brushes wearing
down for a few minutes as the tool breaks in during the first use, that is normal). Make sure all adjustments are cor-
rect and all connections are tight.
5. LOWER BLADE GUARD SAFETY. Check lower blade guard for functionality before each use. To check the
lower guard, unplug the tool and open the lower guard by lifting the blade guard lever, then release and watch the
guard close. Do not operate saw if lower guard does not move freely or close immediately. Leaving a blade exposed
is very dangerous and can lead to serious personal injury.
• Never clamp, tie, or otherwise fix the lower guard into the open position.
• If the saw is accidentally dropped, the lower guard may bend. Raise the lower guard with the blade guard lever to
make sure it moves freely without touching the blade or any other saw part for all angles and depths of possible cuts.
• Always ensure that the lower guard is covering the blade before placing the saw down on a bench or floor. An
unprotected, coasting blade will cause the saw to walk backwards, cutting whatever is in its path. Be aware of the time
it takes for the blade to stop after the switch is released.
• The lower guard should be retracted manually only for special cuts such as plunge cuts/pocket cuts (see page
14). Raise the lower guard by retracting the lever. As soon as the blade enters the material, the lower guard must be
released. For all other sawing, the lower guard should operate automatically.
6. SUPPORTING THE WORKPIECE. Never hold a piece being cut in your hands or across your legs. It is im-
portant to support the work properly to minimize body exposure, blade binding, or loss of control.
7. STARTING THE TOOL. Always start the saw before the blade comes into contact with the workpiece. Let the
blade reach full speed before using the tool. The reaction to the torque as the motor accelerates to full speed may
cause the tool to kick back.
8. STANDING POSITION. Keep your body positioned to either side of the saw blade, but not in line with the saw
blade. Kickback could cause the saw to jump backwards.
SPECIFIC RULES FOR THE CIRCULAR SAW
6

SPECIFIC RULES FOR THE CIRCULAR SAW
9. DURING THE CUT. Keep hands away from the cutting area and the blade. Do not reach underneath the work-
piece. The blade guard cannot protect you from the blade protruding from the underside of the workpiece. Do not
attempt to remove cut material when the blade is moving.
10. REDUCING KICKBACK. Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound or misaligned saw blade, causing
an uncontrolled saw to lift up and out of the work piece toward the operator. When the blade is pinched or bound
tightly by the kerf (width of cut) closing down, the blade stalls and the motor reaction drives the unit rapidly back
toward the operator. If the blade becomes twisted or misaligned in the cut, the teeth at the back edge of the blade
can dig into the top surface of the wood causing the blade to climb out of the kerf and jump back towards the opera-
tor. Take the proper precautions below to reduce the risk of kickback.
• Maintain a firm grip on the saw and position your body and arm in a way that allows you to resist kickback forces.
Kickback forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper precautions are taken.
• When a blade is binding (or when interrupting a cut for any reason), release the trigger and hold the saw motion-
less in the material until the blade comes to a complete stop. Never attempt to remove the saw from the work or
pull the saw backward while the blade is in motion or kickback may occur.
• When restarting a saw in the workpiece, center the blade in the kerf and check that the teeth are not engaged
into the material. If the saw blade is binding, it may walk up or kickback from the work piece as the saw is restarted.
Investigate and take corrective actions to eliminate the causes of blade binding.
• Support large panels to minimize the risk of blade pinching and kickback. Large panels tend to sag under their
own weight. Supports must be placed under the panel on both sides, near the line of the cut and near the edge of
the panel.
• Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened or improperly set blades produce narrow kerf, causing exces-
sive friction, blade binding, and kickback.
• The blade depth locking knob and bevel adjustment locking knob must be tight and secure before making a cut.
If the blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it will cause binding and kickback.
• Use extra caution when making a plunge cut/pocket cut (see page 14) into existing walls or other blind areas. The
protruding blade may contact objects that could cause kickback.
11. TURNING OFF THE TOOL. Blades coast after turning the saw off. Wait until the blade stops before reaching
for loose material or setting the tool down.
12. REPLACING SAW BLADE. Check the blade for chipped or broken teeth. Do not use dull or damaged
blades. Unsharpened or improperly set blades produce narrow kerf, causing excessive friction, blade binding, and
kickback. Always use blades with correct size arbor holes. Blades that do not match the mounting hardware of the
saw will run eccentrically, causing a loss of control. See “Replacing the Blade” on page 15.
13. MAKING ADJUSTMENTS. Always turn off and unplug the saw before making adjustments or changing at-
tachments. Accidental start-ups may occur if the saw is plugged in during an accessory change or adjustment.
7

ELECTRICAL INFORMATION
AMPERAGE REQUIRED GAUGE FOR EXTENSION CORDS
25 ft. 50 ft. 100 ft. 150 ft.
12 A 14 gauge 12 gauge Not recommended Not recommended
DOUBLE INSULATION
Double insulation is a concept in concept in electrical power tool safety, where two systems of insula-
tion are provided. This eliminates the need for the usual three-wire grounded power cord. All exposed
metal parts are isolated from the internal metal motor components with protecting insulation. Double
insulated tools do not need to be grounded.
WARNING: The double insulated system is intended to protect the user from electric shock resulting
from a break in the tool’s internal insulation. Observe all normal safety precautions to avoid electrical
shock.
1. POLARIZED PLUGS. To reduce the risk of electric shock, this equipment has a polarized plug (one blade is
wider than the other). This plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet,
reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper outlet. DO NOT modify
the machine plug or the extension cord in any way.
2. GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (GFCI) Protection should be provided on the circuit or outlet
used for this power tool. Receptacles with built-in GFCI protection are recommended to reduce the risk of electric
shock.
3. SERVICE AND REPAIR. To avoid danger, electrical appliances must only be repaired by qualified service tech-
nician using original replacement parts; otherwise this may result in considerable damage to the user.
NOTE: Servicing of a product with double insulation requires extreme care and knowledge of the system and
should be performed only by a qualified service technician. For service, we suggest bringing the product to you near-
est authorized service center for repair. Always use original factory replacement parts when servicing.
WARNING: To avoid electrocution, do not use in wet or damp areas or expose to rain.
GUIDELINES FOR USING EXTENSION CORDS
When using an extension cord, be sure to use one heavy enough to carry the current your product will draw. An
undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating. The table below shows
the correct size to be used according to cord length and nameplate ampere rating. When in doubt, use a heavier
cord. The smaller the gauge number, the heavier the cord.
Make sure your extension cord is properly wired and in good condition. Always replace a damaged extension cord
or have it repaired by a qualified person before using it. Protect your extension cords from sharp objects, excessive
heat and damp/wet areas.
Use a separate electrical circuit for your tools. This circuit must not be less than a #12 wire and should be protected
with a 15A time-delayed fuse. Before connecting the motor to the power line, make sure the switch is in the OFF
position and the electric current is rated the same as the current stamped on the motor nameplate. Running at a
lower voltage will damage the motor.
8

KNOW YOUR CIRCULAR SAW
Carefully unpack the tool from the packaging. Check all components and compare against the graph below. If any
part is damaged or missing, please contact our customer service at [phone], M-F 8-5 CST or email us at
[email protected].
Front Handle
Bevel Adjustment
Knob
Rip Guide Lock
Knob
Safety Lock Button
Power Switch
Depth Locking Screw
Motor & Carbon
Brush Cover
Bevel Scale Bracket
Blade Rotation Direction
(Counterclockwise)
Lower Blade Guard
Spindle Lock
Base Plate
Hex Wrench
Rip Cutting Guide
Depth Guide Bracket
Upper Blade Guard
Saw Blade
Lower Blade
Guard Lever
Arbor Screw
Dust Port
Rear Handle
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Dust Port Adapter

ASSEMBLY & ADJUSTMENTS
SETTING THE DEPTH OF CUT (Fig. 1 & 2)
Before making a cut, it is important to set the correct blade depth. The saw’s maximum cutting depth at 0° setting is
2-1/2 inches. Adjust the depth of cut to accommodate the depth of the material being cut, but do not allow the saw
to cut more than 1/4 inch below the bottom surface of the material. Excessive blade depth increases the chance of
saw kickback. For example, if your workpiece is 2 inches deep, set the cutting depth around 2-1/8 inches, but no
deeper than 2-1/4 inches. To adjust the cutting depth, you can either reference the depth guide bracket, or the edge
of the workpiece as described in the steps below.
WARNING: To avoid injury from accidental startups, be sure that the tool is switched off and discon-
nected from the power supply before inspecting the unit, making adjustments or changing accessories.
1
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
1
1
2
2
Using the depth guide bracket:
1. Disconnect your saw from the power source.
2. Loosen the depth locking screw (Fig. 1 - 1) on the depth guide bracket at
the back of saw.
3. Move the base plate up or down to the desired depth, indicated on the
depth guide bracket by the ridge on the inner upper blade guard (Fig. 1 - 2).
4. Tighten the depth locking screw (Fig. 1 - 1) to secure the depth setting.
Using the edge of the workpiece:
1. Disconnect your saw from the power source.
2. Raise the lower blade guard by lifting the blade guard lever (Fig. 2 - 1) to
expose the blade. Place the saw base onto the workpiece surface with the
saw blade positioned against the side edge of the workpiece.
3. Loosen the depth locking screw (Fig. 1 - 1). Raise or lower the motor
housing to obtain the desired depth of cut by observing how deep the blade
will cut relative to the top face of the workpiece.
4. Tighten the depth locking screw to secure the depth setting.
ADJUSTING THE BEVEL ANGLE (Fig. 3)
Your circular saw can be tilted 45 degrees to the right for creating bevel cuts.
To adjust the bevel angle of the blade:
1. Loosen the bevel adjustment knob (Fig. 3 - 1) on the bevel scale bracket
at the front of the saw.
2. Tilt the saw to the desired angle to the right. The top edge of the indica-
tor bar (Fig. 3 - 2) will indicate the angle setting on the bevel angle bracket.
3. Tighten the bevel adjustment knob (Fig. 3 - 1) securely.
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4. Make a test cut in scrap lumber and measure the angle of the cut to confirm that the bevel angle is properly set.
If necessary, adjust the bevel angle appropriately before cutting the actual work piece.