perfect edges

[hugo]

Hi, I'm just strat in the woodworking world and I don´t have much experience, so I want to know how can I get a perfect straight edge whit a circular saw, because when I cut whit a circular saw, I never get a traight edge.

If some body can help me whit this I will thanks a lot....

[Rod]

Hugo, I use an aluminum straight edge clamped on material to be sawed. You might check out ShopNotes magazine, their last issue had several jigs to help with accuracy with circular saws. Type in August Home on the search bar, when you get to their site, click on ShopNotes. They sell back issues of all their magazines, and have an article index to help find the articles you are looking for. Hope this helps.

[woodspinner]

Hugo, first understand that "perfect" is a matter of perception, "it looks good enough for me" might not work for someone else!

Now, since you say you are new to woodworking... here are some tips that might help you in your developing skill level:

Keep the wood that you are cutting clamped to something, even clamping to a sawhorse will keep it stationary.

Always have the "heavy" part of the saw on the majority of the wood you are cutting. Until you are really good keep it that way! I have thirty years experiance using power saws... I seldom cut with the heavy portion of saw "unsupported" by the wood!

Develop the concept of cutting on the WASTE side of your line, and by the way, IF you are really interested in a "perfect" edge use a good mechanical pencil for that line, I use a .9 mm pencil exclusively for my "tight fits" the line width NEVER VARIES, I know exactly how much is "how much" ... does that make sense????

Next, as you start your cut LOOK at where the blade guide up front is: if you have a moveable blade guide <that little thing looking like a pointer...> set it to where your line is <first stop the cut, let the blade come to a stop....> NOW adjust that critter so that YOU can see it over your nice fine line that you have drawn! Keep that Over your line as you saw from now on!!!!

Like anything else, proper saw technique is learned by doing! And by following those guidelines you will be able to keep the saw going in that straight line you want!!!!

In a short while you will be able to watch your guide, not the blade.. and will be cutting straight true lines, leaving that pencil line on your wood, not the waste wood!!!!!

Hope that helps,

phil