How to Cut a Straight Line

[tigertruckerman]

in your younger days were you the chap in black leathers from the village people

[AsktheBuilder]

@tigertruckerman I think so. I'll have to look in my file folder marked "Aliases".

[edgewalker02]

@jcoll83 [[lat3llc]] did a video of that method. I noticed that the method shown by AskTheBuilder will work in more situations, but I also see why a speed square is nice when the wood you're using is sure to be within a certain size range (and you're cutting 90 degrees.)

[alice30045]

Except for the Ask the Builder guy, you're all idiots. Let's say you need to "rip" a straight line, say about 6/8 feet. Using a pencil mark will invariably end up wavy. The way to do it is to clamp down another long piece of wood, let's say a 2 x4, place it the amount of inches in from the edge. Use a clamp at both ends, now you can run your saw along the edge of that board and IF you measured correctly, your cut will be perfect. Alice Crawford, aged 76 and I sew too!

[flightz71]

victory!

[jkoelker52]

Thank you!! This video just put an end to YEARS of frustration for me!! I used to always try my best to keep the saw on the line, but simply didn't have enough arm strength or eye/hand co-ordination to keep the saw where it belonged and I'd always end up disgusted with my results. Now I can't wait to use the saw because I know my cuts will be straight. This is great stuff!!

[newyorknight]

Thank you!! I knew there had to be a simple way to do this. Yes, I'm a novice. This was exactly what I was looking for.

[harshLesson]

victory

[TheBrianhj]

VICTORY.

that's what i say after i make a cut

[AsktheBuilder]

@jcoll83 No hostility at all. You asked a simple question. I can't answer it for you. Only you can by doing what you propose. I simply asked you to tape a video of it and then let's compare.

[ligyro]

@AsktheBuilder you appear more easy-going in your video

[AsktheBuilder]

@jcoll83 Who knows? How about you taping a video showing your method and let's see how it works out? After all, that's what your channel is for. Tape videos of what you know how to do and share your knowledge. Come back after you've posted the video and we'll go look at it.

[pixelboxcreative]

Hi! Great video! Question: if you have a piece of wood that you need to trim down that is less than the width of the circular saw, how do you keep the saw from tilting? For example, I just needed to square off a board, and if I removed an inch or more, the board would be too short. I wouldn't be able to use the edge of the saw as a guide if I switched sides. Is another tool more appropriate?

[1USAPatriot]

A speed square is easier 

[lordflanderwell]

"thats a nice cut...VICTORY" classic!good tip for D.I.Y guys like me thanks.

[windogmassey1]

Victory! great video thanks

[steeltears]

Nice, Tim. Been fighting this one for a while.

@ Teledriver - honestly speaking...miter box is a great tool, but doesn't always take larger pieces of wood for cutting.

[glorytrail]

Bless You. It works!!!!!!!!!

[TwnTurboSupra]

screw it.. i'm just going to get a table saw..

[breezebro]

I use a speed square, it's made for this.

[TralongoBuilders]

Im sure it would be better to use a small angle square. Alot easier than using a framing square and a clamp. Nice video to show how to cut a stragiht line though.

[straty01]

saved my day, thanks

[post2dennis]

Your tip is great and easy.... I was wondering how to do it....

It was simple and easy

Thanks for your great tips and videos.

I bookmarked your website. :)

[Wazz1152]

many thanks, for a novice, this helps heaps and stops frustraion

[brenyboy26]

thank you very much, this was very useful!!!

[ehle]

GREAT TIP thank you!!!!! will be used!

[livinma1]

That is perfect and what I needed.. Thanks excellent tip.

[ReligiousZombie]

My circle saw has a mark on the base that shows where the blade will hit the wood. I line that up with my pencil mark, then put the square against the guide.

[5150hs]

This is a great tip. Thanks for helpful ideas.

[Matrick06]

wow, this video makes me feel like an idiot having never thought of that myself lol. i don't know why, but yeah, i have a hard time cutting a straight line with a circular saw for some reason. and only a circular saw

[dommumford1989]

if u have to use this tip you'r a idiot. circular saw's already have guides on them

[budsaria]

well wise guy, if you are so good to cut straight using the crappy guide on the saw, why did you watch the video for tips, give credit where its due, this tip is the correct way, want to see you cut straight when its 40cm with your guide, it seems yr an amatuer.

[clapperz]

he made the video..

[peterfdrucker]

Thanks for posting this, and other great tips!

[teledriver]

can you say "miter box"?

[AsktheBuilder]

That is indeed a great way, but what about the people who can't afford to buy one? This video just shows one way to do it using common inexpensive tools many people might already own.

[RyanCoosh]

One could make a mitre box quite easily

[mathewgivney]

good old fashon pine miter box mate! i did find your method to be a bit faster than building a box before starting construction, cheers for the tips.

[mdc2296]

@AsktheBuilder i have a miter box but i cant get it to move anymore the piece that holds the saw will not move around because it is stuck on something help?

[CurlyHayami]

"Victory!"

Heh, nice vid.

[msr19990]

lol nice!

[ZodiacKilah]

oh great tip thanks alot :D

[BennageDuo]

Victory!!

[ultemed15red]

you rock old man

[AsktheBuilder]

Old man? I'm still a pup by some standards. :-)