A guarded power saw assembly (10) that ensures that a blade (58) is always positioned out of reach of the operator is disclosed. The assembly (10) includes: a base (30) for supporting a work-piece; a circular saw blade (58); a drive motor operatively connected to the saw blade (58); a head (20) supporting both the drive motor and the saw blade (58), with the head mounted to the base for movement through an arc about a primary pivot axis from a raised position above the base to a lowered position engaging the base; an arm (50) having an end mounted to the head (20) for movement through an arc about a secondary pivot axis and another end supporting the blade (58); a locking means operatively interposed between the head (20) and arm (50), the locking means having a locked condition in which the arm (50) is locked to the head (20) so as to keep the saw blade (58) enclosed by the head (20) and an unlocked position in which the arm (50) is pivotally movable with respect to the head (20) to allow a portion of the blade (58) to exit the head (20); and a handle (40) extending from the head (20) and operatively connected to the arm (50). The handle (40) is movable to first rotate the locked together head (20) and arm (50) with respect to the base (30) towards the work-piece and, after the head (20) has engaged the base (30), to then pivot the arm (50) with respect to the head (20) such that the blade (58) exits the head (20) to cut the work-piece.