Build a DIY Cutting Fence

Build DIY Cutting Fence - Building Plans by @BuildBasic www.build-basic.com

Cutting a perfectly straight line with a circular saw or jigsaw is nearly impossible. The trick is to create a “fence” for the saw to run alongside. That way, the cut stays straight, and you can concentrate on operating the saw instead of staring at the cut line. Check out the steps below to get it set up. Once you get the hang of positioning the fence, using it becomes second nature. And, most importantly, you’ll be much happier with the final cut.

Cost: $0

Time: 5 Minutes (First-time set-up)

Difficulty: Easy. Positioning the fence is quick and easy, and results in better final cut.

Tape Measure

Framing Square

Circular Saw (or Jigsaw)

Hand Clamps

(1) 1 x 5 Board (I like this size because it’s wide enough that the body of my saw doesn’t get hung up on the head of the clamps.)

None

Steps

1. Measure the Saw’s Footplate

Unplug the saw, and then place a tape measure along the front edge of its footplate. Measure from the 0-degree marking to the edge of the footplate. If I’m standing behind my saw, I’m measuring to the left of the blade. Personally, I prefer to keep the waste side of my cut line to the right of my blade so that the majority of my footplate is resting on a solid foundation that won’t fall away once the cut is complete. Either way, just note that you’ll be placing the “fence” board on whichever side you measure on the footplate.

DIY Cutting Fence by Build Basic - Step 1

2. Mark the Fence Placement

Place one leg of a framing square along the cut line. Along the adjacent leg, mark the width of the footplate measured in Step 1. On my saw, this distance was 5 1/8-inches. Mark this distance near the start and end of the cut line.

DIY Cutting Fence by Build Basic - Step 2

3. Position the Fence

Position the cut line over the edge of a table or up on blocks. Align the edge of the “fence” board with the marks made in Step 2. Allow several inches of the fence to extend beyond each end of the piece being cut. This will help start and end the cut squarely. Clamp the fence in place. Make sure the piece being cut is secure as well.

DIY Cutting Fence by Build Basic - Step 3

4. Make the Cut

Place the saw’s footplate against the edge of the fence. Check that the saw’s blade lines-up with the cut line. (Don’t forget to adjust the depth of the blade to about a half-tooth deeper than the thickness of the material.) Plug in the saw. With the saw in place against the fence, and the front of the footplate resting on the material, start the saw blade. Now push the blade slowly into the material to start the cut. Run the blade through the material, with the footplate against the fence, until the blade fully exits the material.