Circular saw with adjustable base

A circular saw comprising:

• a base defining a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the front end and the rear end, the base including
• an upper surface and an opposite, lower surface,
• an opening extending through the base between the upper surface and the lower surface,
• a first elongated slot extending transverse to the longitudinal axis in a plane parallel with the base, the first elongated slot extending through the base between the upper surface and the lower surface,
• a second elongated slot extending transverse to the longitudinal axis in the plane parallel with the base, the second elongated slot extending through the base between the upper surface and the lower surface,
• a first gauge locating surface proximate the front end of the base and at least partially defining the opening, and
• a second gauge locating surface proximate the rear end of the base and at least partially defining the opening;
• a front bevel angle adjustment bracket proximate the front end of the base;
• a rear bevel angle adjustment bracket proximate the rear end of the base;
• a saw unit configured to drive a saw blade, the saw blade being configured to extend through the opening, the saw unit being coupled to the base via the front bevel angle adjustment bracket and the rear bevel angle adjustment bracket;
• a first fastener extending through the first elongated slot, the first fastener being configured to secure the front bevel angle adjustment bracket to the front end of the base;
• and
• a second fastener extending through the second elongated slot, the second fastener being configured to secure the rear bevel angle adjustment bracket to the rear end of the base,
• wherein the front bevel angle adjustment bracket is configured to laterally slide transverse to the longitudinal axis,
• wherein the rear bevel angle adjustment bracket is configured to laterally slide transverse to the longitudinal axis independent of the sliding of the front bevel angle adjustment bracket such that both a lateral position and an orientation of the saw unit relative to the base are adjustable, and
• wherein the first gauge locating surface and the second gauge locating surface are configured to abut a gauge plate to set the lateral position of the saw unit relative to the base.

A method of aligning a saw unit and a base of a circular saw, the method comprising:

• loosely coupling the saw unit to the base via a first bevel angle adjustment bracket proximate a front end of the base and a second bevel angle adjustment bracket proximate a rear end of the base;
• attaching a gauge plate to the saw unit;
• laterally adjusting a position and orientation of the saw unit relative to the base by sliding the first and second bevel angle adjustment brackets relative to the base until the gauge plate abuts a gauge locating surface on the base;
• tightening the first and second bevel angle adjustment brackets to the base to affix the position and orientation of the saw unit relative to the base;
• and
• replacing the gauge plate with a circular saw blade.