The easiest way to create straight cuts with a circular saw is by using either a rip cut or a crosscut jig. If you do not have one of those jigs or are in the process of making a jig on your own, then you will need to find an alternative to make perfectly straight cuts and that’s why I made this article.
The two ways to cut completely straight with the circular saw without a jig are by using a leveler/ruler and using a combination square. I recommend using a combination square for crosscuts and shorter cuts and a leveler/ruler for rip-cuts and longer cuts.
In this article, I will go over both methods in depth and then go over the pros and cons of each method.
Directory
- Method comparison
- How to create cross-cuts using a combination square
- How to create rip-cuts using a combination square
- How to create crosscuts using a leveler/ruler
- How to create rip-cuts using a leveler/ruler
Method Comparison
| Crosscut Accuracy | Crosscut Efficiency | Rip-cut Accuracy | Rip-cut Efficiency | Ideal cut range | Crosscut Dimensional Lumber | Rip-cut Dimensional Lumber | Sheet material use | |
| Combination square | 4/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 1/5 | < 12″ | 4/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Level/ruler method | 4/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 9 – 72 “ | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Crosscut Jig | 5/5 | 5/5 | x | x | < 12″ | 5/5 | x | x |
| Rip-cut jig | x | x | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4 – inf “ | x | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Combination square method
Crosscut Accuracy and Efficiency
The combination square method uses the straight edge of the combination square to get very straight cuts with the circular saw. In addition, the 90-degree guide edge allows you to align the square on the edge grain of the wood to provide a 90 degree crosscut. The only issue with this method is the crosscut is in relation to that small section of wood. So, if the wood has a small dent or imperfection, then the crosscut can be affected.
Rip-cut Accuracy and Efficiency
The combination square method is not feasible for rip cutting lumber for two main reasons. The first is because the average combination square only goes up to 24″ in length. Dimensional lumber is commonly sold in 6, 8, and 10 ft, but can be bought much longer. Additionally, the combination square straight edge is an offset to the circular saw base and blade. This means that the edge of the combination square will not be where you cut the wood, but actually 3 to 3.75 inches over. For thinner width pieces of dimensional lumber, you will need support to create a level surface.
Sheet material
The combination square is better for cutting sheet material that is smaller in width widthwise. This method starts to lack when you create cuts longer than 11″.
Leveler/ruler method
Crosscut Accuracy and Efficiency
Using a leveler or a ruler to create cross-cuts for dimensional lumber is very effective. However, it may not be as efficient as the combination square method for dimensional lumber. That is because the leveler does not have a 90-degree face that can easily perform those straight cuts. However, some rulers are 90 degrees and L-shaped. Smaller rulers and levelers are better for crosscuts because larger rulers and levelers can be harder to work with.
Rip-cut Accuracy and Efficiency
Levelers and rulers can be adjusted to allow for precise precision when aligning the tool with the circular saw base. Longer levelers are ideal for cutting longer rip cuts. Some levelers and rulers go up to 10 ft. Levelers are thicker and easier to track along with the circular saw than the rulers.
Sheet Material
How to create cross-cuts using a combination square
This is the easiest method of creating a perfectly straight cross cut without a circular saw crosscut jig to use the square. That is because it will be easier to manage since you will not have as much excess material.
Steps
- First, you will align the blade and saw to the desired position
- Next, you will align the square base with the edge grain and the square edge with the base of the circular saw. Before aligning the square, check the edge grain for visible indents or curvature
- Now you will clamp the combination square to the workpiece and cut the wood. I like to use C-clamps because they hold tightly and the clamps stay out of the way of the saw motor
How to create rip-cuts using a combination square
Creating rip cuts with a combination square is much more difficult and takes more time. I do not like this method because it is more prone to errors. Additionally, it is not as adaptable in many scenarios because when you add extra-dimensional lumber and the combination square, you will have very specific cut locations that will be hard to change. But if you do not have a leveler or long ruler, then you will have to work with what you have.
Steps
- First, you will need to align the blade of the saw with the cut location. Then you will mark where the base plate ends and where the leveler needs to go
- As you get the general location, you will now add dimensional lumber of the same thickness to ensure the circular saw has enough flat surface to sit on.
- Now you will align the combination square parallel face on the edge grain of the wood.
- Lastly, you will clamp the combination square and proceed with the cut
How to create crosscuts using a leveler/ruler
You can also use a leveler or ruler to cut perfectly straight crosscuts. Larger levelers and rulers will be harder to work with, so the smaller tool that will allow you to cut the wood in one pass should be used.
Steps
- First, you will align the blade and saw to the desired position
- Before aligning the square, Check the edge grain for visible indents or curvature
- Next, you will align the square base with the edge grain and the square edge with the base of the circular saw.
- Now you will clamp the level/ruler to the workpiece. I like to use C clamps because they cold tightly and the clamps stay out of the way.
How to create rip-cuts using a leveler/ruler
Using a leveler or a ruler creates longer rip cuts because, with a longer leveler or ruler, you can cut in smaller iterations and potentially one pass. Additionally, with a leveler or ruler, you can adjust the tool to the desired location so that you can perform a precise cut
Steps
- First, you will need to align the blade of the saw with the cut location.
- As you get the general location, you will now add dimensional lumber of the same thickness to ensure the circular saw has enough flat surface to sit on
- Now you will flush the leveler with the base plate of the circular saw.
- Now you will mark the level location and make sure the level is parallel to the wood edge grain.
- Lastly, you will clamp the leveler and proceed with the cut.
Conclusion
In this article, we went two methods on how make perfectly straight cuts without a circular saw jig. The two methods that we went over was the combination square method and the ruler/leveler method. Each method has its pros and cons in different scenarios, so we went over when to use each method. At the end we went over the steps on how to do the combination square and leveler/ruler method for crosscuts and rip-cuts.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article and I wish you luck on your woodworking journeys!
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