How To Cut Straight With A Circular Saw?

A circular saw can create many different cuts such as straight cutting, beveling, horizontal cutting, etc. Nonetheless, straight cutting is one of the most common cutting styles you have to use. In this tutorial, I will share with you tips on how to cut straight with a circular saw by performing the long free hand-cuts method.

How To Cut Straight With A Circular Saw?

Step 1. Fix the workpiece to the saw frame

A framework will help you cut things easily because they keep the substance stable, and you will only have to concentrate on maneuvering the saw.

Set up the frame in your workshop and allow the material to lie on it. Be sure that the entirety of your workpiece is reachable, then hammer two 1.5-inch tacks (nearly 4 cm long) into the other end.

Along with the substance and other necessary tools, you can buy sawhorses at most tool shops.

If you don’t have any trestle, you can utilize a work table or any other flat facade. Remember to fasten the materials in the right position before performing the cuts.

Step 2. Mark cut points with a ruler and a pen

You will need a straight and square ruler or other tools with the same functions. These tools will support you to layout the cuts before you start.

Outline cutting marks equally along with the workpiece as precisely as you can.

You can use a combination square which looks nearly similar to a circular saw. It has a barrier which you can push to the rear of the workpiece to keep your ruler orderly.

This useful tool can help you make better guidelines on your workpiece, especially a very long one.

Step 3. Use your hand in the right way

You should put your forefinger and your thumb around the substance and the saw shoe (Any model of a circular saw will have an alloy framework cover the blade known as the saw shoe).

Next, push your circular saw over to the part of your workpiece which you want to cut in.

Press your thumb tightly against the strip on your saw shoe in the head of the saw blade.

Put your forefinger below the substance, then firmly squeeze your fingers altogether to keep the saw in position.

Opposite of the blade is the saw shoe tab. If your circular saw is a right-handed model, this part will be on the left side. Vice versa, for a left-handed version, it is on the right.

Assure that the saw handle side fronts you. And the saw blade will be on the opposing side, which should be at a safe distance from your hands.

Step 4. Put the blade in the right position

You should keep the saw blade at 1 inch (2.5 cm) distance after the cutting points and in the sector of material you intend to cut off.

When you perform freehand cuts, the blade may swerve a little. Never let it cut pass the line or else it will spoil your entire workpiece.

If you put your fingers within 3 inches (about 7.6 cm) of the blade, commonly when you cut tiny things, do not follow the above method.

The same thing happens if the board’s end is rugged and shattered.

In these cases, you should use a straight edge to evade damages.

Step 5. Use your fingers to lead the saw

You should guide the circular saw along the workpiece with your fingers right when you turn on your saw and start to cut into the substance.

Continue to grip the saw’s shoe to the material. When the saw begin to cut, slip your forefinger forward the workpiece to keep the saw moving.

Observe the saw and draw it back if it starts to go athwart.

When you see the saw motion become dislocation, pause your work. Afterward, put the saw back to the place where it first starts to deviate.

Adjust the saw blade again, then restart it.

• Best Cordless & Corded Circular Saw

Final Words

So you learned how to cut straight with a circular saw by the long free hand-cuts method. Although you can create a straight cut with a few other ways, what I have just introduced you is one of the simplest and most effective ways.

Hope that you can perform perfect straight cuts with your circular saw following this guide!