Straight cuts without a table saw?

So, my hubby maintains that the only way to cut wood straight is to use a tablesaw. We don't have a tablesaw here (we had to use my in-laws when we went to visit)...only a circular saw and a jigsaw. Can I use these to make straight cuts or do I have to wait until we visit them again to do a project?

Tsu Dho Nimh

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 05:51

TheDabblingCrafter said:

So, my hubby maintains that the only way to cut wood straight is to use a tablesaw. We don't have a tablesaw here (we had to use my in-laws when we went to visit)...only a circular saw and a jigsaw. Can I use these to make straight cuts or do I have to wait until we visit them again to do a project?

By hand, it takes practice. My carpenter uncle could cut along a pencil line with no guides. He'd been a carpenter for 40+ years.

For the rest of us: All you need is a circular saw, a couple of clamps, and a straight piece of stiff metal that is longer than the piece of wood you want to cut. I use a 9-foot or a 5-foot strip of 3/8 aluminum bar stock because ... because I have them. I've been using them for so long I don't remember where they came from.  You have to clamp the guide a few inches away from the cut line to allow for the blade guard. (some commercial jigs allow you to put the edge of the guide on the line - my cheapo one doesn't.

Clamp it on, cut by sliding the saw foot along the guide. Be sure to support the cut-off part of the sheet of plywood so it doesn't wobble.

Or buy this for $30 or so: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/.....Id=10053 

ellison01

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 07:08

to get a nice straight cut with my circular saw i use a straight piece of wood. I cut a scrap piece of wood so that i could measure the width of the guard and now know that i need to mark my wood 1 1/4" bigger than the cut list and clamp my straight piece there. Follow along with the guard of your saw and it makes a very nice cut.

Laura

thedabblingcrafter

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 09:40

Thanks everyone. I knew there must be a way, but I am new to this woodworking buisness and the hubs is not. I just think he's used to being spoiled by the nice equipment his family has (his grandfather was a self made millionaire and did woodworking as a hobby...must be nice to afford all that fancy stuff!)