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Can you use a circular saw without a table? Yes, you can. Here are two solutions you can use the DIY way. Read on!
If you’re a passionate DIYer, there are some tools that you just need to be able to call yourself one. From a claw hammer, set of screwdrivers, pliers, to adjustable wrench, and various saws, including one and only – the circular saw.
And it’s the last item on the list that we’re going to focus on in the article. Having a circular saw opens many new possibilities, and you can use it in a variety of projects. What’s more, its design makes the work easier and incredibly effective. Well, that is, if you purchase the right saw.
Purchasing the best cordless circular saw or a worm drive saw is a must if you want to learn how to rip narrow boards properly. Getting the wrong gear will decrease your work quality and increase the risk of an injury.
But let’s say you got your hands on a great circular saw, but you can’t use a table for your project (or don’t have one). If that’s the case, don’t worry. You can still use it safely and efficiently. Below two methods you can try with step-by-step guidelines.
What's Inside
First Method – Sawhorses
Let’s start with the most popular method of using a circular saw without a table that every self-respecting DIYer should know about. Here’s what you need to do.
Firstly, you’re going to need a wood that is high in moisture or pressure-treated plywood. For that, prepare a special saw blade designed especially for plywood to decrease friction.
Now, in order to ensure you make even cuts, you need to fit your circular saw with the edge guide. It will move along the side of the lumber or plywood you intend to cut.
The next thing you need to do is to ensure you set your saw’s blade accurately. The cut’s depth needs to be precise and allow the circular saw to go through the wood. A quarter of an inch should do the trick.
The last thing you need to do is put the unused pieces of lumber or plywood on the sawhorses. Doing that will allow you to make your cut any way you want. Remember to use the right blade to make your cuts more precise.
Second Method – DIY Track
The second method of using a circular saw without a table requires much more effort. It involves using a track that you could either buy or make yourself. But since you’re the true DIYer, why would you spend your money when you can build one.
To make a track beneath your circular saw, you’re going to need:
- Tape measure
- Combination square
- Pencil
- Chalk line
- Wood screws
- Drill with a regular and countersink bit (rating of 8/10)
- Circular saw
First, you need two boards. Make sure to pick the straightest boards you can.
One of them should be about two and a half inches wide. The other board should be about 12 inches wide and 3/4 inches thick. Cut the width of the second board at about 4,5 inches according to your circular saw’s base. Now use a pencil or chalk line to draw the straight line towards your four and a half inches mark.
Once you’ve done that, you need to take the smaller piece of wood and place it along the line you’ve just drawn. To make it stable, clamp the vertical edges of the boards.
To make the pieces of wood stronger and prevent them from moving, drill the holes through the smaller board and use screws to stabilize the construction.
Still with us? The next step you have to make is clamping down the larger wood with the table as hard as possible. Do a plunge cut, and place the base of your circular saw on the smaller board to cut the rest of the larger one.
The last thing you can do is smile and congratulate yourself. To cut a piece of wood, you simply need to place it beneath the track you’ve just built and clamp it tightly. Doing that will ensure you do your job accurately, even without a table.
The Takeaway
If you’ve been wondering how to use a circular saw without a table, we hope that we’ve helped. As you can see, it’s possible. Moreover, you even have two options to choose from.
But before you start your circular saw massacre, make sure to take some necessary precautions. Wear proper gear, including safety glasses, gloves, and ear protection. Also, read the manual carefully, and inspect the saw before using it.
Remember that circular saws are not toys, and not preparing carefully for the job can put you in danger.
Always use your circular saw with caution. No piece of wood should be a problem, no matter whether you have a table or not. And good luck with your DIY adventures!
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