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How To Use a Circular Saw: Cut Plywood With a Straightedge Guide
Clamp a Straightedge for Super-Straight CutsClamp a perfectly straight board or metal straightedge to a sheet of plywood to make cabinet-quality straight cuts. The key is to align the straightedge at exactly the right distance from the cutting line and keep the saw shoe tight to the straightedge as you cut. Make a test cut and measure the distance from the edge of the shoe to the edge of the blade. Measure carefully and record the dimension for reference. Then offset the straightedge from the cutting line by this distance.
Tip
Clamp the straightedge on the piece of plywood you’ll be keeping. This way, if the saw accidentally wanders from the straightedge, it won’t ruin the piece you’re keeping.
When you begin a cut, barely nick the plywood with the blade to make sure the blade just touches the outside edge of the cutting mark. Move both ends of the straightedge slightly to adjust the cut if necessary, then reclamp it. At the beginning of the cut, press the front of the saw shoe against the straightedge. At the end of the cut, keep the back of the shoe tight until the cut is complete.
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