The straight edge clamps come with clamping mechanisms that feature large levers that let you tighten the clamp quickly onto the material. Guided cutting takes out all the guesswork, so you can start every project off right. Guided cutting makes it easier than ever to see exactly where you'll cut so you can get the results you expect. Related: Beginners Guide to Table Saw Safety. It can also deal with narrower boards and make crosscuts on plywood sheets. It is a self-clamping system that is easy to align and fasten. The metal used for this circular saw guide rail will withstand the workload a woodworker would place upon it. This is why a saw guide is so crucial, especially for those who have limited experience or are just starting out in woodworking. Your saw rides against the aluminum guide, allowing you to make straight and precise cuts. This allows us to make long, straight, accurate cuts. This product comes at a higher price point that may put it out of reach for new woodworkers or those on a tight budget. Run the saw along the scrap piece of wood and the cut should be straight. A straight edge design allows you to use any circular saw with this guide. You may get confused about which straight-edge guide you should purchase, given the myriads of options at hand. It is made from aluminum and plastic components. It acts as a fence or cutting guide for our circular saw. These plates attach the saw to the fence using the T-slot of the clamp. The levers do not sit in the way of your saw as you cut either, and the low profile of the entire guide will allow circular saws to move over it as you cut. It makes use of a non-moving end that presses on the side of the material. It doesnt need any clamping because of its anti-slip feature. The setting up of this straight edge clamp may take a while. 
Cut sheet goods down to size with precision and ease by using the Kreg Straight Edge Guide. With this cutting capacity, you can make a rip cut on a 48 plywood piece. Some guides can be used on a variety of saws, while other products are intended for specific brands. Hi Bill Youre right and thank you for the reminder. I normally place the speed square on the same side where I start the cut so that its being pressed into the workpiece. A simple feature that provides support no matter what side of the saw your electric motor sits and which side you are working from.
If you enjoyed this tutorial, would you please take a moment and pin it to Pinterest? The use of the straight edge is quite easy. The strip itself is designed to be an anti-chip guide. This will create an accurate guide accommodating the required offset for each side of the saw. There are two versions of the Accu-Cut. Third, trying to cut a large sheet of plywood on a small table saw can be dangerous. Its going to need a little help from a fence or cutting guide. There are a few things to consider when using a table saw to cut plywood. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Sadly, that plate is not included here and must be purchased separately; It uses an over-sized clamp lever to apply pressure to the project. While these saws have advanced over the years, they can still make crooked cuts no matter how many laser pointers or LED lights are attached to the tool. These rubber feet help prevent damages to the material. The Kreg Straight Edge Guide offers an intuitive and approachable way to break down sheet goods. that will make connecting sections easy to do, and it should provide for a more secure purchase than that found on other sectional tracks; An adaptor plate is used that you will mount your saw onto. 
So, we have delineated here the following most recommended straight edge guides for the circular saw to enable you to narrow your choices down to the best options at hand: Last update on 2022-07-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. This swivel head lets the clamps grab at an angle the wood piece creating a straight fence for your circular saw. This system from Festool provides users with 55-inches of straight cuts. Circular saws dont have a good way to move in a straight line. It is designed to provide rip cuts up to 24-inches in width, allowing you to work on panels and wider boards without issue.
That eliminates potential problems with saw bases struggling to mate up with guide surfaces; You can use other tools, including routers, with this clamping straight edge. The Kreg KMA3700 lets you cut straight using your circular saw, and you can convert it into a track saw your circular saw using the Kreg KMA3700. You will find straight edge clamps made of extruded aluminum, rigid enough for holding the straight edge. That adds a lot of versatility to this product; The contact points that help to keep the guide system secure on your project are made with a softer material that will not damage it. The longer its length, however, the more difficult it is to clamp to smaller lumber pieces. It features an excellent clamping assembly that has sturdy aluminum rails. So, when selecting a straight edge guide, go for something that could help you cut wide boards. The Straight Edge Guide Extension is available in 2-foot sections for projects that require greater cutting capacity. Make rip cuts and crosscuts up to 24" Wide, Cut multiple pieces to the same size With just one setup, Use the oversize edge guide for precise control throughout the cut, GET IT STRAIGHT This rigid aluminum guide rail is a must-have accessory for keeping your cutting on track. With a track saw, simply place the track along the desired length mark, offsetting for the thickness of the blade, and run the saw across the track.
The clamping mechanism should work well; otherwise, the clamp will shift position, making it difficult to cut straight. 
While a track saw will provide you with the benefit of a straight cut, as well as easier plunge-cutting capabilities, there are limitations to think about. Some products might be too thin (or too thick) to properly accommodate the saws base. Join our Facebook group to share your projects, tip and tricks, get ideas and feedback, inspire others, improve your skills, and help fellow DIYers grow theirs! Read the full disclosure here. My hand was covering the speed square when I had it in this position. Achieve that truly straight cut using this self-clamping straight edge to guide your tools. An expansion pack for the Accu-Cut adds 50 so it can cut up to 100 long. That will give you a proper alignment between blade and track throughout the cut and keep the saw moving smoothly across the guides groves.
Then the blade binds up when we try to get the saw back on track. I was introduced to woodworking by my grandfather when I was 11 years old. This narrow piece acts as a fence for the base plate of the saw. It can also withstand constant use. Ive added a note above the pic that for best results it should be placed so that speed square is being pressed into the workpiece. This provides you with more versatility and can allow you to support a variety of cuts, including plunge-cuts along with the interior of panels; The lightweight aluminum is not the most rigid material that could be used. The end comes with a lever that holds the piece tightly, locking it up firmly. Non-skid, self-clamping strips: Dual clamping strips on the bottom prevent movement during the cutting operation, less setup time and better results. 4 Ways to Make Straight Cuts with a Circular Saw, How to Make a DIY Circular Saw Crosscut Jig, Measure and mark the locations for the cut, Position the blade on the mark and place the speed square against the base plate of the saw, Push the base plate of the saw against the square and make the cut, Crosscuts and rip cuts that are shorter than the length of the speed square, Place the edge of the jig on the marks and clamp in position, Position the base plate of the saw against the fence and make the cut, Cuts are limited by the length of the cutting guide, Adjust the fence so the blade will cut along the mark, Use the handle of the Rip-Cut to push the fence against the workpiece and make the cut, Place the edge of the Accu-Cut on the marks, Position the saw on the track and make the cut, The foam board makes a great work surface for cutting large sheets of plywood and MDF, The foam board prevents the saw blade from accidentally cutting your workbench, or pavement/concrete when working on the ground. Thank you to my friends at Kreg Tool for sending me several of the tools that Ive included in this post. Now we just wasted time, money and plywood. Its clamp also comes with a large handle that allows for easy attachment to the wood piece. Straight guidance: Easily create straight, splinter-free, glue ready joints when paired with TS Saws, or perfectly guided dados, flutes, or ploughs, with OF Routers. 
It features a two-piece construction that allows you to use it for shorter cuts. Lightweight guides are often made from materials that can wear out or become damaged easily. Since you want to cut long sheets and boards with your circular saw, it defeats its purpose if the straight edge can only help you cut short stocks. Remember to look for a width that can hold your circular saw base plate as well. The Accu-Cut can also make any angle cuts.
They may not line up flush and could come apart easily if you are not careful when putting them together. A guide will hold the saw in place as you make the cut, providing a straight edge to the project you are working on. ProGrip Straight Edge Clamps Ideal for Cutting Large Sheets of Plywood and Dado Slots (All BORA 5-Piece NGX Clamp Edge System Set for Making Precision Cuts, Includes 50-inch Clamp DCT Aluminum Pro Grip Clamp Straight Edge Wood Cutting Table Saw Guide, 24in / 62cm Circular Saw Blades for Cutting Wood with Nails 2022, Why Is My Jigsaw Not Cutting Straight? This attachment should be firm to prevent slippage. And now you're ready to make a cut!
That being said, it is thicker and has been designed to provide decent rigidity for an aluminum product; Bora has designed this cut guide to work with a WTX saw plate. Good material,Organization and easy to follow and read and well explained. Tom Silva shows how to install baseboard trim that become visual anchors for any room. Plus, the saw blade may bind, causing you to further drift from the cut line. But when cutting wide boards, you may find it challenging to maintain the straightness of your cuts, especially if you are only eyeballing the cut lines without using a straight edge guide. Moreover, it is easy to use with a circular table saw and other saws. Yet, if you know the following important factors to consider when buying a straight edge guide, you will indeed zero in on the perfect straight edge guide for your needs: If you would use a straight edge guide, you will notice that its quality usually relies on its grip on the material, sturdiness of construction, and length. You will indeed raise your level of wood cutting a notch higher if you master the use of the straight edge guide. All rights reserved. You can attach the Accu-Cut to your circular saw in the same way that you would attach the Rip-Cut. It is able to guide a circular saw for up to 100-inches, making it a great choice for woodworkers who work with large panel materials on a regular basis. If you want precise cuts when using your circular saw, you will need a Circular Saw Track. Make a track using two pieces of plywood. A wider track will offer you more stability as you cut. Today Im sharing four foolproof ways to cut straight lines with a circular saw. Jason is a 40-year-old woodworker and carpenter who have been involved in the woodworking and woodcraft industry with 17 years of experience. Power up your circular saw to make straight, smooth cuts with the precision of guided cutting. Simply purchasing the best circular saw track system can save you money and allow you to take full advantage of the features that your circular saw offers you. The Rip-Cut maxes out at 24. The self-clamping mechanisms used are easy to operate and provide enough power to hold it into place while you work. This second entry from Kreg represents a more traditional track guide. Measure the offset of the circular saw guide to the blade. If you are a casual woodworker, I think you can get away with a lighter design made from less durable materials. Its perfect for breaking down plywood into its final size. In this way, you will not waste time and material when cutting long sheets or boards. How to Use a Straight Edge Clamp with the Circular Saw Correctly? You will need to begin each cut carefully so that the circular saw butts against the guide at all times. Looks like a great way to get started before investing in something like a Festool TS 55 EQ Track Saw. The most obvious feature at first glance is the length of the guide itself. DIYers often want to know how do you make straight cuts on plywood? One way we can cut plywood is with a table saw. Moreover, it is adjustable to cover the full range of 24 inches. Thanks so much. You can also cut sheet materials with ease using the ProGrip Clamps. It would prove ideal for shops making multiple builds of the same item or out in the field where similar cuts are needed throughout the day. The bottom of the Accu-Cut has anti-slip guide strips that keeps it in place. 5 Best Cordless Leaf Blowers (2022 Review), The 5 Best Double-Sided Tapes (2022 Review), The 5 Best Magnetic Screwdriver Sets (2022 Review), How to Choose a Finish Nailer | This Old House: Live, How to Maintain Small Engine Gas-Powered Yard Tools. That would be a disappointment for heavy-duty users, who happen to be the target audience for this product; It is a bit more complex to use when compared to other systems. You only need to attach the clamp to the material. The universal Rip-Cut sled attaches to most popular circular saws. While you might need to use extra caution when starting your cut using a straight edge design, you will be able to use this guide on other tools such as your router. This is a guide that will last a lifetime if you take care of it; The biggest design problem I see with this product is the saw attachment itself. It also comes with two swivel heads, allowing for miter cuts. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a4ac77925d85ea245e9317a219c8926e" );document.getElementById("b043678aab").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I made my cutting guide about 12 long. The tools were sent in exchange for my honest review. This website uses first party and third party cookies to improve your experience and anonymously track site visits. Then, you can begin cutting. The narrow piece of plywood is glued to the larger piece. The Accu-Cut makes cuts up to 50 long. Your email address will not be published. Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide is your best choice. You only need to position the fixed end on the board. The Accu-Cut is different from the Rip-Cut because it can be used to cut any width board or plywood. The fence forces the saw to make cuts exactly where we want them. So, make sure that when shopping for a straight edge guide, go for something with a powerful clamping feature. There are four ways to make straight cuts with a circular saw. Related: How to Change a Blade on a Circular Saw. It is an alternative option for those without a track saw. Then secure the guide to your material using the low-profile GripMaxx clamps that are built right into the guide. First off, the best track saws are more expensive than circular saws. The Accu-Cut attaches most popular circular saws. This straight edge guide is low profile. You can also make the jig longer for longer cuts. But the grip is of utmost importance, and the grip usually depends on its clamp. Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates some techniques for cutting straight edges with a circular saw. Making a straight cut with a circular saw is not as easy as it may appear. Frank. With its locking handle, you can tighten the clamp firmly into place.