How To Cut Wood for Table Tops With a Straight Saw

There are many times in woodworking that it is easier to take the saw to the wood than it is to take the wood to the saw. A heavy piece of plywood is a good example of this. Most woodworkers have a circular saw in their list of tools. For the price of a sheet of 3/8-inch Masonite and a 1-by-4 board, glue and screws, the typical handyman can make a jig for cutting wood straight with a circular saw. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Cut a sheet of 3/8-inch Masonite to 12-inches wide by 8-feet long. This will make a base for the straight cutting jig. Use a table saw for this step.

2

Cut a 1-by-4-by-8-foot board on the table saw to 3 1/4 inch. Flip the board over and re-cut the board at 3 inches wide. This will ensure that the saw will cut straight when using a circular saw.

3

Glue the 1-by-3 to the Masonite using woodworkers glue. Align the edge with the Masonite and screw the two together using 3/4-inch wood screws. Use a power screwdriver for this step. Let this dry before you proceed.

4

Place a sacrificial board on top of the saw horses. This will protect the saw horses and the saw from damage when you are cutting. Set the jig across the saw horses.

5

Set the depth of the circular saw to 1/2-inch. This will leave only 1/8-inch of the blade exposed during the cut of the Masonite. Place the circular saw base farthest from the blade against the 1-by-3 of the jig. Cut through the Masonite keeping the circular saw base tight against the 1-by-3 board. This makes a zero offset jig for cutting wood straight.

6

Use the jig by placing the cut edge of Masonite along the line of the wood for the table top. Clamp the jig to the wood and then cut the board with the circular saw for a straight cut. You will need to set the circular saw to the thickness of the table top material plus 1/2-inch so you will cut all the way through the table top and not into the saw horses.