Now that we know what the base is, we can talk about the little notch (or notches) at the front edge of the base that's there to help you align the blade with your cutting line as you push the saw ...

In terms of versatility, the circular saw is king among power saws, but it's also a classic example of a jack of all trades, master of none. It can make rip cuts, crosscuts, notches, bevels, and ...