Hand-held circular saw, in particular plunge-cut saw

A plunge saw comprising:

• a body housing enclosing a motor;
• wherein the plunge saw rotates about a forward pivot point while a lower cutting base bottom planar surface remains in contact with a workpiece;
• a saw blade operatively coupled to the motor;
• and
• wherein the saw blade plunges into a workpiece in a rotational arc thereby exerting both a lateral and vertical force that reduces the likelihood of saw kick back;
• wherein the saw can be turned on, operated and turned off with either a left or a right hand, wherein the plunge saw center-of-gravity can be adjusted manually or automatically to remain approximately in the center of the operator's hand.

A method of operating a plunge saw comprising;

• setting a saw blade depth of cut and a width of cut;
• holding saw with one hand while placing plunge saw base on a workpiece approximately where a plunge cut is to be made thereby activating tongue to release lock member;
• activating the switch with the one hand to turn the saw “on”;
• rotating the saw around a pivot point in a forward end of the saw to plunge a saw blade into the workpiece at a desired location by applying a rotational force with the one hand;
• moving the saw along a desired path until the plunge cut is complete and removing the saw blade from plunge cut with the one hand;
• and
• moving the switch with the one hand to turn the saw “off”.