When using a board or a square or a DIY circular saw guide as a straightedge
Straightedge
A straightedge is a tool with an edge free from curves, or straight, used for transcribing straight lines, or checking the straightness of lines. If it has equally spaced markings along its length, it is usually called a ruler.
How to use a circular saw safely and correctly?
- Evaluate your tools and workspace for any hazards before you begin. ...
- Unplug the saw or remove its battery when changing blades and when not in use.
- Avoid dangerous kickback. ...
- Do not attempt to turn on the tool when the blade is against material to be cut.
- Never force the saw while it is cutting. ...
How to use a circular saw step by step guide?
Steps For Using Circular Saw
- Learn About Guide Marks. Every circular saw has guide marks that help you know about the cutting angle and position. ...
- Support the Workbench. It doesn’t matter that what kind of workbench you are using, or you are using the circular saw in open woods, having support to ...
- Know the Depth. ...
- Start Straight. ...
- Always use the manual guide. ...
How to make a straight cut using a circular saw?
Ways to make straight cuts with a circular saw
- Speed Square. Using a speed square is quick and easy. ...
- Cutting Guide. Using a circular saw guide helps you make straight cuts. ...
- Kreg Rip-Cut. The Kreg Rip-Cut gives you straight lines with our circular saw. ...
- Kreg Accu-Cut. The Kreg Accu-Cut helps to cut straight lines with your circular saw. ...
What are the uses of a circular saw?
What Materials Can Be Cut with a Circular Saw?
- Wood. The most common material to be cut with a circular saw is wood. ...
- Plastic. Circular saws can also be used to cut plastic, particularly hard and rigid plastic such as PVC piping.
- Metal. ...
- Masonry. ...
How do you use a cutting guide?
0:071:36How To Cut Plywood Using a Saw Guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can just lock in the cutting width you want and then guide the saw along to make your cut as youMoreYou can just lock in the cutting width you want and then guide the saw along to make your cut as you push the saw forward with your dominant hand.
How do you use a circular saw Edge guide?
0:542:32Kreg® Rip-Cut™ Circular Saw Edge Guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust as quickly using the RIP cut is easy to just lock the saw slit at your desired. Cut from oneMoreJust as quickly using the RIP cut is easy to just lock the saw slit at your desired. Cut from one inch up to 24 inches wide then simply hold the edge guide. Against your sheet.
Do you need a saw guide for circular saw?
While a nice table saw setup is beneficial for perfectly straight cuts on sheet goods it's not 100% necessary. You can get perfectly straight cuts with a cheap circular saw and a guide track.
What does a saw guide do?
A Guide Rail is designed to be used with a Circular Saw for creating precise and straight cuts every time. This Toolstop guide has been created to show you the benefits of using a circular saw guide rail and how to do so.
How do you cut a perfectly straight with a circular saw?
0:222:10How to Make Straight Cuts with a Circular Saw | House One - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe key is to use a wide board so that you can keep your clamps clear of the motor of the circular.MoreThe key is to use a wide board so that you can keep your clamps clear of the motor of the circular.
Which side of the line do you cut with a circular saw?
When appearance matters, make cuts with the good side facing down, as circular saws can splinter the wood on the top side. Making your cut line on masking tape can reduce splintering. Start over if you see that you've veered off from the cut line instead of trying to curve your way back on track.
When using a circular saw you should never?
Never set a blade deeper than is required to cut the work piece 1/8 in. to 1/4 in. greater than the thickness of the stock is sufficient. This minimizes the amount of saw blade surface exposed and reduces the probability and severity if any kickback does occur.
What should you not do with a circular saw?
What should you avoid when cutting with a circular saw?Do not hold or force the retracting lower guard in the open position.Do not place hand under the shoe or guard of the saw.Do not over tighten the blade-locking nut.Do not twist the saw to change, cut or check alignment.More items...
Can you turn the blade around on a circular saw?
Steps for changing a circular saw blade Press down on the saw's arbor-lock button and rotate the blade until the locking mechanism engages. Use the blade wrench to remove the arbor nut holding the blade in place.
How does a guide rail work?
Guide rails are part of the inner workings of most elevator and lift shafts, functioning as the vertical, internal track. The guide rails are fixed to two sides of the shaft; one guides the elevator car and the other for the counterweight.
What do you use a straight edge for?
Straight edge tools are used for any job that demands accuracy. Whether you're measuring a length that's accurate to 0.1mm per metre. Or drawing, scoring, and cutting to a perfectly straight line. That's why they're popular with people who take pride in their work.
How do you set up a straight edge on a circular saw?
Use a Board as a Straightedge The first and most obvious way to create a guide is to clamp a board to the plywood and run the saw along the edge. The key is to use a wide board so that you can keep your clamps clear of the motor of the circular saw.
How do you adjust the guide on a circular saw?
0:231:29How to Adjust the Height of a Circular Saw - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that's done with a lever generally on the back near the back handle in this case it's a prettyMoreAnd that's done with a lever generally on the back near the back handle in this case it's a pretty obvious lever we're just going to lift it up to loosen. It. We can adjust the height of the shoe.
Which way do the teeth on a circular saw blade go?
When installing a new blade, make sure the teeth are pointing downward to enable a clean cut through the workpiece. Upward-facing teeth can cause a severe injury to the operator.
What is a circular saw?
Circular saw technically refers to any motorized saw with a circular blade. However generally when people say circular saw they’re talking a handheld power saw with a circular saw blade of 6-½ or 7-¼ inches in diameter.
Why is knowing the parts of a circular saw important?
Knowing the parts of a circular saw is useful for identifying any issues and for maintenance. Below you’ll find a brief summary of the important parts of a circular saw.
What grip do you use on a saw?
You use the front grip to steady the saw, and this will also act as your guiding hand. Your other hand holds the rear handle, where you’ll find the switch.
What is the base plate on a saw?
Base Plate. The base plate is the part you rest on the material you’re cutting. It surrounds the blade for safety and is a helpful guide for lining up your cuts. It’s also the part of the saw which will run along a guide or straight edge, if you’re using one to ensure you get straight cuts.
How deep should a knife blade be?
Next you need to set the right cutting depth for the job. You should ideally set the blade depth to around 1/4 inch below the bottom of your material. This ensures you’re getting a good cut and making it all the way through.
What does higher torque mean on a circular saw?
The power output will vary from model to model with power being the product of RPM and torque. For a given power a higher torque will mean a lower RPM and visa versa.
How accurate are circular saws?
You can use these to line the blade up with your cutting line. But as the notch usually isn’t in line with the blade, they’re not very accurate. You’ll be fine using the notch for rough cuts, but use a laser guide for more accurate cuts.
What is a circular saw?
A circular saw is a power tool capable of cutting materials and delivering excellent results, but if you don’t use it properly , accidents could happen in the blink of an eye. To help you through the cutting process, we’ve put together everything you need to know about how to use the circular saw safely.
What does watching a circular saw teach you?
Watching experienced workers use the circular saw teaches us two things. First, they shed highly appreciated information about the tool, which is a proper learning method. Secondly, it shows that no matter how much experience you have, using the safety gear is a must for everyone.
How to cut a metal baseplate?
After that, put the baseplate against the material, and move the blade up or down to get it right below the material you intend to cut.
How to use a saw blade?
Push the saw across the surface of the material in a slow and gentle movement. Using both hands is essential to handle the saw in a straight line. Keep track of the cutting line, and don’t put too much pressure over the saw. Maintain a natural movement as the blade cuts through.
How to prevent slips when cutting?
There are two options here: you either place the material over a saw table or in between two sawhorses. Having complete support prevents slips, and it helps you do the cutting without uncomfortable movements.
How to draw a straight line on a saw?
Use a ruler and a pencil to create a straight line. Try to make it as precise as possible, and cover the entire area where the saw will be cutting. Drawing the line is a method to guide the saw during its operation, which is why you want to be sure to have a clear sight of it while handling the saw.
Why is it important to know your tools?
Furthermore, it allows us to know the best positions and movements to perform comfortably.
How to use a circular saw to cut a base strip?
To use it simply line up the edge of the track with reference marks on your material, clamp it down, and cut a perfect line every time. Remember that the circular saw blade itself will remove a little bit of material as well so it's best to place the track on top of the material you are cutting to length and not the off-cut of your material. (pic 1)
How far away from the base of a circular saw is the factory edge?
The first strip with the factory edge will be glued and nailed to the wider base strip but the factory edge needs to be just a little further from one edge of the base strip than the distance from the blade of the circular saw to the furthest edge of the saw base plate. So in this case I got it close to 4” on both sides and marked my base strip. (pic 2)
How to make a circular saw fence?
As long as it looks straight when looking down the full 8' edge it should be straight enough to use. Keep track of which edge is the factory edge during this build as that's the edge that will be the fence for the circular saw to run against. Use sawhorses or boards on the ground to work off of with the plywood. (pic 1)
How far away from the base plate of a circular saw blade?
With the saw blade resting against an edge of the plywood I used a tape measure to determine that the distance from the furthest edge of the circular saw base plate to the blade was 3-3/4”. As I just said, this measurement will probably be different on different saws as there is no standard here. (pic 1)
What to do if you don't have sawhorses?
Sawhorses will help. If you don't have sawhorses a few scrap boards laying on the ground to elevate the plywood will be fine.
Can you cut plywood with a circular saw?
You can get perfectly straight cuts with a cheap circular saw and a guide track. One of the advantages of using a circular saw and a guide track over using a table saw is most often it's much easier to move the lightweight circular saw over the plywood rather than move the heavier plywood over the table saw.
Can you use power tools incorrectly?
Using power tools incorrectly can result in a very bad experience. I used my brother's circular saw that had the guard tied back. Don't do that. It's dangerous. You can walk with a wooden leg and hold things with a wooden hand but you can't see with a wooden eye. Wear your safety glasses.
How to use a circular saw for the first time?
Make marks on the wooden board and place it firmly. Clamp the wood so it doesn’t move and start cutting through the wooden material. After making find straight cuts, you can learn to use the blade at different angles. In the beginning, learning straight cut should be your priority.
What is the guide on a circular saw?
When you know the position, you can align the outsider mark to the material you are cutting and it will help you get a precise cut.
Why use a circular saw?
Using power tools like the circular saw makes our work easier. These tools are invented to provide convenience to those who are doing crafts. Make sure that the power tools are being handled with care, and read the instruction manual if we find it difficult to operate.
Do carpenters use circular saws?
Every carpenter and craftsman has a circular saw inside their tool kit. Without it, what they can do is limited. With the invention of circular saws, clean and precise cuts can be achieved easily.
Circular Saw Basics
A circular saw is a utilitarian workhorse and a useful addition to the toolkit of DIYers. Its most common function is to make cuts in a straight line on pieces of lumber. Knowing its parts makes using a circular saw easier.
How to Use a Circular Saw
Beginners can easily learn how to cut with a circular saw and safely control it to achieve successful results. Like any power tool, however, it can be dangerous if not used properly. Read more about circular saw safety in Step 5.
How to Cut Straight with a Circular Saw
There are two types of straight cuts a circular saw can make on a piece of lumber.
Circular Saw Cutting Tips
Keep these tips in mind as you are learning how to use a circular saw.
Circular Saw Safety
Safe operation is the most important part of learning how to use a circular saw. These power tools are easy to operate but care should be taken to prevent serious injury.
Why do you need a guide rail for a circular saw?
Prevents splinters and tears on material. Improved accuracy alone would be a good enough reason to buy a guide rail for your circular saw, but there are other advantages as well. For example, using a guide rail can help prevent splinters and tears on your material.
How to make straight cuts with a circular saw?
In order to make accurate straight cuts with a circular saw, use guide rails. A good circular saw rail will ensure that you never make a mistake when cutting material. With a guide rail, an amateur DIYer can make cuts that professionals who have been using circular saws for decades would struggle to make.
How long is a Kreg circular saw?
They launched their first Accu-cut circular saw track system in 2017. The KMA2700 comes with two tracks of 26.5 inches each. By connecting the two tracks to a total length of 53-inches, you can cut plywood panels and MDF up to 48 inches long.
What is a circular saw called?
A circular saw with guide tracks attached to it is called track saw. The track saw or plunge cut saw works essentially the same way how you use a circular saw with guide rails systems. You can find out more about track saw here.
What size blade is used on Makita SP6000J1?
See the Makita SP6000J1 track saw with a 6-1/2-inch blade.
How long is a guide track?
Buy the guide track that has sufficient length for your tasks. The common sizes available in the market are 36-inches and 50-inches in length.
How long is a KMA2700 guide rail?
The KMA2700 guide tracks work great; the only downside was the length of the rail. With 48 inches max, many users felt that the length of cut was the biggest limiting factor of the otherwise excellent equipment.
Step 1 –Learn About Guide Marks
- Every circular saw has guide marks that help you know about the cutting angle and position. The mark on the notch of the circular saw has different shapes based on the manufacturer, but it will make things quicker and easier. When you know the position, you can align the outsider mark to the material you are cutting and it will help you get a preci...
Step 2 – Support The Workbench
- It doesn’t matter that what kind of workbench you are using, or you are using the circular saw in open woods, having support to place a sheet of wood is necessary. If you are cutting into the thick wood, things become easier as you can make sharp cuts. Placing the sheet of wood or any other materials firmly on the table and adjusting the depth of the blade is necessary here. Many ways …
Step 3 – Know The Depth
- As mentioned in the previous point, you need to adjust the depth of the blade. Once you have supported the work, know the thickness of wood or material you are cutting. Now, make sure that your blade depth doesn’t go beyond the thickness. You can adjust the blade to the proper thickness or slightly extra depth to make the first cuts. On the other hand, you should not try to u…
Step 4 – Start Straight
- If you are using the circular saw for the first time, it would be an excellent choice to start straight and learn the procedure. Make marks on the wooden board and place it firmly. Clamp the wood so it doesn’t move and start cutting through the wooden material. After making find straight cuts, you can learn to use the blade at different angles. In the beginning, learning straight cut should be yo…
Step 5 – Always Use The Manual Guide
- Most manufacturers add a manual guide along with their circular saw but you must learn about the circular saw features, buttons and other factors from the manual guide itself. You can use the circular saw at different speed settings due to accuracy and speed purpose. The rotation speed makes a big difference but you should not try high speed on the first try.
Step 6 – A Quick Recap of All Steps
- The easy way to use a circular saw is to learn from the manuals. You can learn about the guard switch, arc saw toe and other features. After learning the basic, mark the cutting area, place your circular saw in the right place, and wear all the safety gears. Hold the power button and the blade is rotating, Move the circular saw firmly and make sure that the wire doesn’t come in between. F…