To make identical width rip cuts on a circular saw:

  1. Cut a 1×2 board 3” to 4” longer than the baseplate on your circular saw.
  2. Drill two holes in the baseplate of the saw the proper distance from the blade.
  3. Screw the board to the baseplate of the saw, so that it’s parallel to the blade and the desired distance from the blade for the width stock you want to rip.
  4. Position the board fence against the stock, and hold it firmly in place.
  5. Rip the stock, keeping the fence pushed tightly against the stock.

To make wider rip cuts on a circular saw:

  1. Cut a piece of 1/2″ plywood to the size needed for the base of the jig.
  2. Screw the 1×2 fence board to the plywood base.
  3. Attach the plywood base to the baseplate of the circular saw.
  4. Make the rip cuts, keeping the fence pressed tightly against the stock.

Watch the video above to find out more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Danny Lipford: One problem many homeowners have when using a circular saw, is how to make good, long, straight cuts.

Joe Truini: What homeowners typically do, Danny, is they’ll clamp a board in place and run the saw along the edge of the board. And that works fine, but when you’ve got repetitive cuts, you’ve got to continuously move and clamp the board to get the cut. This is a much easier way.

You take a straight one by two, which is about three or four inches longer than the baseplate of the saw, and simply screw it in place parallel to the blade. Then all you need to do is align the one by two at the edge of the board and make a nice, long, straight cut.

Danny Lipford: OK. Now, what about the wider cuts that so many times you have to make on like plywood or particleboard?

Joe Truini: Right. This system is only good for up to three or four inches. Beyond that what you need to do is get a piece of plywood—this is about half-inch plywood cut 12 inches square—and you simply screw a straight edge guide to the plywood. Then you fasten the plywood to the baseplate, and you make your wider cuts.

Danny Lipford: Of course remember safety. Anytime you’re working on a saw like this, make sure you unplug the saw.


Further Information

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avatar for Joe Truini

Joe Truini

Radio Show Co-Host

Joe Truini is a contractor, author, and the host of “Simple Solutions” on Today’s Homeowner TV and the weekly Today’s Homeowner radio show. He has worked on both large commercial projects and residential remodeling, and has written for national publications such as This Old House and Popular Mechanics. He has also written eight books, including three best-selling shed-building books. Joe lives in Connecticut with his family and enjoys hiking, traveling, and baseball in his spare time.

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