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How To Use a Circular Saw: Build a Ripping Guide
A Jig for Narrow Strips
If you don’t own a table saw, you can build the guide shown in Fig. A and attach it to your circular saw. It helps you to cut narrow strips (1/2 in. to 6 in. wide) with near table-saw precision. You may have to modify it to fit your saw’s shoe. It takes about an hour to build.
Cut the plywood base and pieces carefully to make sure they have parallel sides and square corners. Make the slots and the hole for the blade and blade guard by first drilling 3/8-in. holes in the corners and then cutting between them with a jigsaw. Set the base over the fence and align one long edge. Then snug the rails up to the sides of the base and screw them to the fence with 7/8-in. screws. The completed fence assembly should fit snugly and slide easily. Connect the fence to the base with carriage bolts and attach the saw shoe to the base with small screws. Drill 5/32-in. holes in your saw shoe and attach the guide with 5/8-in. screws.
FIG. A
Click image to enlarge.
Safety First
Making long cuts can be dangerous. Before you try it, read the following safety precautions.
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Wear safety glasses and hearing protection and avoid loose-fitting clothes. Tie long hair back.
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Set the saw blade to cut about 1/4 in. deeper than the wood’s thickness.
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Secure boards less than 6 in. wide with nails and wider boards with clamps.
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Stand beside, never behind, the blade when you’re cutting. Keep bystanders away from the area behind the saw.
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Wedge the saw cut open with a shim if the board starts to pinch the blade and cause it to bind.
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Make sure the blade guard is operating freely. Never block or wedge it in the raised position.
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