How do I rip cut narrow wood using a circular saw?

Question

I need to rip a 1" x 4" in half, and I'm not sure how to secure the piece of wood...if I clamp it down, the clamps get in the way of the saw. Does it make sense to screw the piece to a scrap board and leave enough overhang so that the saw blade can travel? There has to be a better way, right?

Answer 1

Certainly a table saw would be the better option, but your notion does work. I do it often.

The issue might equate to screwing the 1 x 4 from the Bottom (The side that might not be seen in whatever purpose you intend)... to a piece of material large enough to accept the clamps without interfereing with the width of the saw PLATE. You might also consider a piece of 1x for the opposing side of the saw plate to glide over in a cut, to maintain stability. Obviously the CUT itself may not be as smooth as from a table saw, but that's why sandpaper and planes were invented. The BRACE board need not be anymore than a piece of Luan or scrap plywood, etc. as long as it allows CLAMP space.

You could also perform the same process by clamping at an end, to midway, saw to the clamp. release the clamps; reset them BEHIND the cut, and proceed.

I guess I'm curious about the WHY of this? I'm going to assume you have a piece of 1x4 that needs to be 1x2~ +/- To FIT somewhere, and don't have a 1x2 of the same material, like a piece of golden oak for cabinetry, etc.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

Circular Saw Rip Fence

Answer 5

Yes you can cut a circle out of wood with circular saw without bending the blade but it needs some techniques too and you have to be good with that.

Answer 6

You can mount the circular saw to the bottom of a scrap 2x12 with short screws and then turn it upside down. (You will have to make a plunge cut in the center of the 2x12). Then clamp another straight board to the 2x12 to use as a fence. This would create a sort of homemade table saw. It might be overkill for cutting a 1x4, but you can save the setup to use later.

You can also clamp the 1x4 towards one end, cut the board to that point and then move the clamp to the other end.

Answer 7

rip cut narrow wood circular

Answer 8

I have had to do this on job sites before as a handyman. The first thing you want to do is to make a jig. To do this take a piece of plywood I used 3/4" about 12" wide and as long as needed I used 96" for length. Then take a 1'x6" and screw to plywood screw each end and one in the middle. Now take your 1"x 4" and put double stick carpet tape in 4 places cross the board now stick to plywood against the 1"x6" fence on the jig this will hold while cutting set you rip guide on your saw and set depth of cut just below the 1"x4" and rip in half. then remove from jig and remove carpet tape. You can get carpet tape at any big box store in your area.

Answer 9

i'd just go out and buy some larger stock, like 1X8, or 1X10, and safely rip that down instead! it's cheaper than your fingers being sewn back on at the emergency room! if you have to use the wood that you have so that it matches something, then screw it to a larger piece of wood that you don't care about, from underneath, like a 2X4 or 2X6, using 2" screws, then rip cut it. even then, i'd center it on the 2X and cut through it into the 2X a 1/4" or so. good luck, be careful.

Answer 10

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