Learn how to use your circular saw to make laser-accurate straight cuts! Here are four sure-fire ways to cut precise straight lines on boards and plywood! Breaking down sheets of plywood or MDF. Tips for Cutting Straight with a Circular Saw Position the speed square, DIY circular saw cutting guide, or Kreg Accu-Cut so it covers the side of the workpiece you want to keep. There are four ways to make straight cuts with a circular saw.
All you need is a circular saw and a speed square along with a tape measure and pencil. For a straight 45° cut with a circular saw and speed square, you can mark either the longer or shorter edge. Holding the square firmly in place with one hand, pull the saw back just a hair so the blade isn’t touching the wood, pull the trigger, let the blade spin up to full speed, and make your cut as you apply light pressure against the square to keep the saw on track.
A circular saw is perfect for slicing up plywood and other sheet goods so they’re safer to maneuver over a table saw. Unless you use a circular saw every day trying to eyeball a straight cut across a sheet of plywood is like steering a boat without a rudder. Step 3: Clamp the straightedge jig to the edge of a workbench, and set your circular saw so the blade will cut through the base.
Using a guide to cut with your circular saw is a great way to ensure a straight cut and it’s quick to set up. Make a DIY guide to cut a straight line You can easily make your own cutting guide to use with your circular saw. Final Thoughts on Cutting a Straight Line with a Circular Saw Circular saws can certainly be tricky, especially when making straight cuts – so hopefully you’ll be more confident than ever on your next cut.
how to make a straight cross cut with a circular saw Related Question:
Can you cross cut with a circular saw?
If you need to make several repetitive crosscuts, but you don’t have a power miter saw, you can still get very accurate results using a circular saw and a speed square. Use the speed square to draw your cut line and then use that same speed square as an edge guide.
What tool is used to cut a perfectly straight line with a circular saw?
The Kreg Rip-Cut is an easy way for us to cut straight lines with our circular saw. The universal Rip-Cut sled attaches to most popular circular saws. The Rip-Cut fence follows the straight edge of our workpiece which ensures an accurate cut every time. The fence is adjustable and can make cuts up to 24″ wide.
How do you make a cross cut guide for a circular saw?
To make a crosscut guide for your circular saw: Glue and screw the plywood to one end of the board at a 90° angle, using a framing square to align the two pieces. Place the crosscut guide on a scrap board, and run the saw along the guide so it trims off the excess plywood cleat on one side of the guide.
Why is my circular saw not cutting straight?
What Causes a Circular Saw to Not Cut Straight. A faulty circular saw is likely to have issues such as an unstable blade or a warped blade edge. The problem could also be the way you operate the saw. If you do not operate the circular saw properly, it will not cut straight.
How do you cut straight without a table saw?
Using a speed square and a carpenter’s pencil, draw a cut line along the length/width for cutting depending on how you want it. Set the depth of the blade using the edge of the wood as a reference. The blade should be deep enough to make a through cut in the wood while grazing the sacrificial board underneath.
How do you cut straight lines?
To cut a straight line without a ruler, start by folding your piece of paper so the fold is where you want the cut to be. Then, crease the fold, open the paper, and fold in the opposite direction along the same crease. Finally, unfold your paper and cut along the straight, creased line with scissors.
Can I use a circular saw instead of a miter saw?
Circular saws do have more versatility than miter saws. Every cut you can make on a miter saw can also be done on a circular saw, plus a few more. This is why my dad (and some others on the internet) recommend starting with a circular saw. But circular saws are tedious to use.
Can you make miter cuts with circular saw?
When extreme precision isn’t required, you can cut 45-degree miters using a portable circular saw and speed square. 7. Hold the square against the board, then guide the saw along the square to make the cut.
What is the difference between miter saw and circular saw?
Differences Between a Miter Saw and a Circular Saw A miter saw is stationary and the blade is pulled downward onto the wood, while a circular saw is handheld and the blade is pushed through the wood. A circular saw excels at breaking down sheet goods, and a miter saw is best for cutting down longer boards.
How do you use a circular saw without a table?
Fit your circular saw with an edge guide. Set the depth of the blade accurately enough for it to go through the wood and not cut under the surface. Place the guide on base of the circular saw lines and markings you made earlier on the wood. Ensure that the saw is free to move, and the power cord is not entangled.
Can a circular saw cut a 2×4?
Yes, a 7-1/4 inch circular saw has plenty of blade depth to cut a 2X4. This blade size can even make quick and easy 45 degree angle bevel cuts through a 2X4.
Why are my circular saw cuts curves?
Check whether the blade is parallel with the edge of the base, the edge that goes against the guide. If the blade is further away at the front, it’s going to want to walk away from the straight-edge. This is probably easiest to do when the base is in the 90 degree position rather than set at a bevel.
Why is my circular saw pulling to the right?
If the base plate is not parallel to the blade, the saw will also want to travel to the side. If your saw was dropped at some point the base plate could easily be out of alignment. Turning to the right would indicate that the base is farther from the blade at the front than it is at the back.
Why does my circular saw Buck?
Overheating a saw blade can cause it to warp and result in a kickback. Buildup of sap on the blades, insufficient set, dullness and unguided cuts, can all cause an overheated blade and kickback. Never set a blade deeper than is required to cut the work piece 1/8 in. to 1/4 in.
How do you rip a 4X4 with a circular saw?
One creative way to rip a 4X4 with a circular saw is to run a pass with your saw down your line on the top side of the 4X4. Then flip it over and run another pass with your saw. Depending on the size of your saw you may need to finish splitting the 4X4 with using a hand saw to cut through the remaining material.
