A great tabletop setup is useful for cutting the sheet material perfectly straight, but it is not 100% required. A circular saw with a guide track gives you a perfectly straight cut on board.
Are you wrinkling your eye thinking, why should I use a circular saw guide to get straight cuts on plywood, whether I have a table saw? I am giving you the idea because a circular saw is much lighter than a table saw.
As a result, you can move the circular saw easily and quickly over plywood rather than a table saw.
Well, to let you perform the task, in this article, I will discuss the process regarding “how to use a circular saw guide.”
Without being late, let’s go to the discussion directly.
Step-by-Step Process to Use a Circular Saw Guide
To perform this task proficiently, you will need the below materials:
- A circular saw.
- Few clamps.
- Sawhorses. If sawhorses are unavailable, collect a few cut-off boards.
- Brad nails 5/8” or ¾” screws.
- Glue.
- ½ inch wide plywood.
Step 1: Fence piece cutting
The main point of this step is to track down the plywood’s factory edge.
Step 2: Base cutting
This is an essential part of this track build since the factory part is straight. But that is only half of the circular saw guide, and we still need a base to run the trick. To cut off another strip, use the factory edge as the guide clamped on the rest of the plywood.
After getting the first clamped strip ready to be used as a reference fence for the round, you may find quite a bit of flex in the center of the panel as it is pressed. Undoubtedly, it would be best if you stopped this flex.
To do this, you only need to clamp down a cut-off piece of the wood into the middle of the plywood against the first strip. Thus, you can stop getting flexed in the first strip. Then, you can cut a 9” wide base strip, with the saw tracking against the factory edge of the first strip.
Step 3: Making the assembly
This is the step where the measurement will vary from saw to saw. As per the requirement, the dimension also needs to be adjusted. Now, take a measurement tape to measure out the uttermost corner of the circular saw base plate to the blade. The first strip along the factory corner needs to be glued and nailed to a larger base strip.
However, the factory edge needs to be slightly farther from one end of the base strip than the far end of the rounded blade. Whatever measurement you will get on both sides, don’t miss to mark the base strip.
Once the smaller strip is glued, you need to nail the smaller piece to the base strip only to ensure it is on the reference lines from the earlier step. If you need to use a screw in this step, you can use it. The screw will confirm holding the pieces when the glue is dried.
Step 4: Keep it zero exemption
From this step, you will get the accuracy of the jig. After the small strip gets secured, a cut to the adhesive is made to cure when the time is made against the factory edge of the small piece with referencing. This will ensure a zero exemption line where the circular saw will cut off whenever you use the trail.
Step 5: Do a perfectly straight cut
We understand that the circular saw will cut the outer edge following the track. To utilize it, limit the edge of the track with the reference mark of your material, stick it underneath, and perform a perfect cut of experience each time.
Remember that the circular saw will remove itself slightly, so it is best to keep track of the material you are cutting at length and not off-cutting your content. Don’t you think this task is a comfortable one to perform? However, the plyboard length is 8”, so you will not have any problem working with it.
But the cutting experience will become problematic if you perform it with a 3” X 3” plyboard. I cut the 8” track to 5” and 3” sections.
Safety features
Don’t forget to prioritize safety because working with a circular saw is a bit dangerous sometimes. Follow the below-listed safety precautions strictly.
- Don’t wear loose-fitting clothes; wear safety goggles, earplugs, and face masks. If you have long hair, tie it back.
- When you are cutting using a circular saw, stay beside it. Don’t work with a circular saw staying behind. If any outside person is there, tell them to stand far away from the saw.
- If the board begins to pinch or bind the blade, close the cut shovel with the bean.
- Before starting the operation, inspect the whole tool. Check whether the blade guard can operate freely or not. When the circular saw a guard in the raised position, never hold it.
Frequently Asked Questions about
What is a circular saw?
A circular saw is a power tool used for cutting wood, plastic, metal, masonry, and other materials. It has a circular blade with teeth that rotates to make the cuts. Circular saws are available in different sizes (blade diameters from 5-12 inches typically) for handheld portable use or table/bench styles.
How does a circular saw work?
A circular saw works by having an electric motor spin a circular saw blade very fast – usually between 3000-5000 RPM. The fast-spinning sharp blade can cut through materials when guided along them. The depth of the cut is adjustable by moving the blade up and down.
What are some common uses for a circular saw?
Circular saws are very versatile and can be used for all sorts of applications like:
- Cutting wood for construction projects, carpentry, etc.
- Cutting metal for fabrication, pipes, etc.
- Cutting masonry like bricks, concrete blocks, tiles, etc.
- Cutting plastics and acrylic sheets
- Trimming doors or large pieces of lumber to size
- Cutting openings or holes in walls and floors
What safety precautions should I take when using a circular saw?
Safety should always be the top priority:
- Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from debris
- Wear ear protection as the saws are very loud
- Wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling sawdust
- Keep hands and fingers away from the blade
- Make sure the material is secure/stable when cutting
- Unplug the saw when changing blades or making adjustments
- Avoid awkward hand positions that could lead to losing control
How do I choose the right blade for my circular saw?
There are different blade types for specific materials:
- Standard wood blades for most woodcuts
- Fine-tooth blades provide a smoother cut in plywood or veneers
- Carbide-tipped blades stay sharp longer when cutting masonry
- Abrasive blades used on metals, tile, and masonry
- Ensure the blade diameter matches the saw size
Conclusion
A circular saw can show you versatile performance. If you know how to operate it correctly, you can perform the same task using a circular saw that a table saw can do.