How to use a Circular Saw
Never reach across the path of the blade.
Never start the saw with the blade touching the wood.
Make sure your circular saw has a functioning blade guard.
Make sure you unplug your saw before you make any adjustments to it.
Use eye and ear protection!
There are hundreds of tutorials and instructional posts and videos on the web to help you learn pretty much anything you want to know. Here is a REALLY GOOD instructional “How to use a Circular Saw” article presented by Habitat for Humanity that covers about everything you could possibly want to know, so please go read it!
Also, here is a great video tutorial from Skil tools that will show you how to set your depth and give you basic use instructions for a Skil circular saw (which is what I have).
I use the All in One Clamp A-50 50-Inch Grip Clamp Guide w/T-track
and the All in One Clamp U-99 99-Inch Ultra Wide Grip Clamp with Double T-Track
that I bought from Amazon, but if you don’t want to hassle with adding the distance from the blade to the side of the “shoe” to calculate the mark for your guide, you can make a Circular Saw Guide that will allow you to mark your cut, clamp the guide directly on that mark and cut directly on that cut. (You might have to see the tutorial to understand).
I don’t have one because I so often have to clamp in the middle of my work table that it wouldn’t work for me and I’m use to having to figure out the formula for my cuts. If I didn’t have my clamp guides though, I’d totally make a couple of these babies!
*Here is a post from Popular Mechanics with clear instructions for making a Circular Saw Guide that will help you have straight cuts every time.
*Here’s another Circular Saw Guide tutorial from Wood Worker’s Guild of America with instructions on HOW TO USE IT!
*AND MY FAVORITE one yet shows you how to make a Two in One Circular Saw Guide that allows you to use either the right or left side of the shoe to guide your cut.
So go forth and saw safely! Hee hee
Disclaimer: “Clamp” links are affiliate links to Amazon and I will make a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking over from my site. These are the clamps I purchased for myself and I use them all the time which is why I am sharing them with you.
Great tutorial! I feel like I’m ready to start using our circular saw (although I’m pretty sure we have a left-handed saw… since Mr. Woodsy is left handed)! lol.
Great video thank you for the tips! I do have a question about using a base board underneath the board you are cutting. I’ve never tried this before and visually I don’t fully understand it. When you select your blade to go deep enough for the wood you are cutting doesn’t it cut into the base piece too?
I’d REALLY appreciate the chance to ask a couple questions about that if you’d email me! Thanks so much
Pamela @ pbjstories.blogspot.com
Wow, I learned so much. I am not a builder, but as in sewing, safety is so important. Thanks for taking the time to do the tutorial. Guess I will need to buy my own circular saw since hubby is a lefty and I am not.
Thanks again.
Great job, once again! The circular saw is the one tool I have to take a few extra deep breaths before I use – I can use it and use it well but it is the one saw I have the greatest respect for (not that I fool around with any other tool). I will have to find some of those metal guides you have (or check out those links you suggest). I have a guide that clamps right onto the saw but doesn’t work the greatest once you get to the end of the piece of wood plus it doesn’t make the most accurate cuts. Anyway, thanks again for taking the bazillion hours it took to make it – I learn something each time!
Great, Sandra! I’ve used a circular saw many times and never even THOUGHT about using a clamp… genius! My future cuts will be straighter and easier.
LynnR