> You can get DIY circular saws with built in soft start [1] but not stand
> alone starters for older tools. After lining up the saw guide on the
> workpiece I want to slot the saw into the guide, then switch on without
> it jolting out of alignment. It might be time to break out the
> soldering iron...
A circular saw is just a motor; pretty much any motor controller circuit
or even a lighting dimmer circuit could be adapted for the job.
Just remember you're switching a *huge* inductive load - so spec all your
components appropriately, and don't forget those reverse-EMF diodes...
