WHAT EVERY CIRCULAR SAW NEEDS - Straight Cuts Every Time!

Back to Basics Today! I often get questions about "that piece of wood you put your saw on". So here is a very simple look at what it is and how to make one yourself. Nothing fancy but gets the job done! :-)
Sure, a track saw is more accurate, better dust extraction, etc, etc It's on the wish list, but for now this is just fine. ;-)
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[@peterbarlow8912]

Have a couple I’ve had for years made with aluminum fences. A 2 piece 100” guide that was a gift but the joiner clip flexed provided the fences. I attach them to thin plywood with small flat head bolts plus washers and wing nuts up through the bottom. I find I have to move the fences periodically to freshen the edge as it wears. I keep a couple 2” C-clamps clamped to the them and some small screws on a magnet on the fender washer. Sometimes you have to screw them to some work.

[@gregghernandez2714]

You are right, there are a ton of these videos on you tube, but there is one critical difference with yours. Currently the price of some woods including plywood that has jumped to approximately 300% in price in some areas of the USA! That is just ridiculous! Most tutorials suggest using plywood for these types of jigs, which many can't afford at this time. Making jigs like this using laminate is a great idea. Materials such as laminates can be found at places like the Habitat For Humanity store and other products like aluminum strips can be used for the guide/straight edge so thank you for that recommendation. Great video.

[@FredWilbury]

Just made one these wish I’d seen this before instead of the chunky thing I made lol. 40 + years of diy projects and just purchased my first circular saw,why was I struggling all those years 😂. Anyways have shall have a good look at all your projects. 72 year with loads still to learn 😎👌 regards fred

[@in-the-vanpeter5157]

Simple but a must for those cuts thanks for sharing never thought of using laminate but it’s probably the best as it allows the saw to glide easier I know what I’m doing tomorrow. Thank you 😊

[@starseeddeluxe]

You know, this guide also prevents tear out of your plywood, etc., on the top surface, as you're cutting, by providing a backboard with a zero clearance. Don't use cheap finish grade plywood with fir or birch veneers for the jig, because the saw blade gently grazes against it with each cut, causing severe splintering and it looks horrible. I think particle board is probably best, or maybe glue an edge strip of hardwood on the part that contacts the blade.

[@bscott77]

I’ve done exactly the same with a length of spare laminate flooring although the top rail was taken from another piece of laminate to get that perfect straight edge. It’s also worth gluing a few course sanding sheets to the underside as anti slip. Never need to use the clamps now

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Had some thin strips of draft excluder door seal tape on the last one which worked great, sand paper good for cutting ply but needed rubber for trimming worktop. 👍

[@jaymiddleton772]

Thanks, that is helpful. I've been clamping a length of timber to use as a guide and measuring the offset each time. This will be much easier.

[@pabt02]

Thank you I made a short one with a lip on the bottom edge so it sits square (like your speed square) for cutting fascias up a scaffold it has been a life saver, literally. Thank you.

[@peterbarlow8912]

One of the beauties of these guides it they reduce the tear out that circular saws make in the front surface.

[@felixreali7101]

the laminate flooring piece is actually ideal for this cos it's nice and smooth and it will let your circular saw slide really easily. great tip

[@ZuluWood]

Very good ! Congratulations from Brazil

[@politicalpartyagnostic268]

YAY, that is just the thing I need right now!!!! THANK YOU!!! 👍🏻😁❤️

[@Donya_jaan]

O my God what a useful hack. I wish i could have seen it last year for a kitchen project.

[@johnvickers5750]

Always the man of invention. I did see Rutlands have a saw & track system on offer at the moment £89 looks the part.

[@catabaticanabatic3800]

Two big "Pony" orange spring clamps and away you go, Job's a belter! Do the table-saw cross-cut jig and you are a cabinet shop in your garage. Absolutely no need to buy gimmick tools/ attachments. The art of being a craftsman is to know the tricks. To know the specials. The time-savers. the ergonomics of work station positioning. The stuff that shaves time as well as timber. That is the knowledge. That makes you the money. That gets you the gig that makes you the money

[@TheRestorationCouple]

My table saw sled was a game changer, so much better than the mitre saw for precise work. 👍

[@kenz2983]

Thank you. Perfect solution for what I need.

[@iamneallyons4263]

What do you think of the erbauer saw? Is it decent?

[@TheCountryCottageGardener]

I cut a lot of fence panels and normally attach a bit of wood to the bit am cutting off. Never thought of making a jig up. Simple and effective, that'll make a job that little bit quicker. Thanks Tim 👍👍

[@tonywilliamson1474]

That’s the best video I’ve seen there many videos on line but complicated thank you Tony

[@02shredder]

Well that was really helpful, as a Mechanical Engineer I have struggled with circular saws on 2.4m sheets to get that straight line many thanks!

[@bscott77]

For some reason the plate on most battery powered circular saws (I have a dewalt) is the wrong way round compared to corded and only gives you a thin plate to use right handed. However, this new one you have seems the correct way to use the wider side. Too late for me now as I’m too invested to dewalt batteries and chargers etc to change

[@TheRestorationCouple]

I know my Bosch is the other way round and it winds me up! Thought it was just me. 😂

[@bscott77]

The Restoration Couple at one point I even thought I’d bought a left handed version 🥴

[@starseeddeluxe]

So, right blade saws (stupidly called "Sidewinder" in America) held in your right hand, although it is harder to see the cut line, they are far better to use with jigs, or guides, because they have a sawdust ejection port on the right side of the guard, which nobody talks about, and it blows all the dust away from you, even if you put your head right next to the saw during the cut. The "Worm Drive" saws with their left blade, they are easy to see, but they don't have an ejection port for dust, and they blow dust straight in your mouth. I can't personally tolerate being instantly covered in dust, it's a 95% difference in dust between the two.

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

I have used laminate flooring for my poor mans track saw guide, works a treat. Always great info on your videos. Your nail gun take nice short nails too, love that thing, on my Christmas list.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Works great doesn’t it. The short brads were for a job on the van conversion but ended up using them quite a bit for thin material. 👍

[@clydedecker765]

This was my first jig -- before I had to break down any plywood. (except the piece of hardboard I used.)

[@thereds32]

Hi, thanks for the great video, new diyer here. I have bought the same erbauer circular saw but the blade and laser is not level? Found nothing on instruction? Any advise please? Thank you

[@JonehJozieTM]

Thanks a lot mate. I need this. New sub from North Borneo here. Keep it up. Staysafe. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@markmiller6402]

Excellent. Going to make mine tomorrow. Thanks mate

[@vikingofengland]

Keep meaning to make one of these. So far I have been using heavy duty Uni-strut as a fence held in place by quick clamps and that has worked well but it takes a bit longer to setup.

[@screwssawdust9992]

You got a new circular saw? Is the erbauer one better than your Bosch? Where was this video before I brought my Kreg accu cut lol cheers for another great video you should have a short video series called Tim’s Tip’s

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Testing it out for an Erbauer build video next week. 👍

[@kearl8047]

Fantastic. I've been looking for a solution to squaring up pallet boards.

[@welshnutterz]

Tim I wonder if you could stick a bit of your left over EPDM rubber roofing to the bottom of that laminate. That would keep it in place.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Great shout! Have used door seal tape in the past but have plenty of epdm strips I knew I was hoarding for something. 👍

[@welshnutterz]

@@TheRestorationCouple ye I'm the same. EPDM gets nice and sticky if scour pad it up with washing up liquid

[@yourtruckerfriend1584]

So my question..being left handed I end up using my saw backwards ..it works for me. is this unsafe?

[@elliotazus6258]

Great idea!! 💡thank you!! God bless🙇

[@FinnReaper1]

Nice video, and thanks for the tips!

[@deaosatori216]

I made a guide but I sort of messed up the very start of the final cut, so the zero clearance edge is a bit wobbly right at the start. Is this to be expected to some degree, as the saw's plate has not yet got full contact with the fence?

[@peterbarlow8912]

Make your fence longer at entry so your registered before you get to the workpiece. Don’t glue the fence so you can move to back to freshen the edge.

[@auntievax8728]

Absolutely brilliant.

[@SimonKentucky]

Could you please do a review of your Erbauer brushless saw?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Give me a couple of weeks to give it a good run first. Impressed so far, will feature lots in next week’s build.

[@SimonKentucky]

@@TheRestorationCouple Thank you, please do keep an eye on battery heat. Really wanted to switch to EXT range due to the price and variety of tools on offer

[@thanxx]

nice trick. love your vids...been watching from day one

[@dawidone]

Great idea, will do that for my makita saw

[@mrsb2914]

Really great idea thanks Tim, I'll be making one

[@JG-fv9bv]

As a right hander be nice to have the blade on the other side ...only thing putting me off getting this saw

[@samnewman5129]

Can I trim my internal house doors with 23 teeth saw or do I need more teeth ? Thanks

[@SirShoX0r]

I don't have the same issue with mine. It sits flush and my first use of the saw removed a good 1mm of the black plastic trim..

[@paulknowles9727]

I'm a joiner and never even considered making one. lol. I'm clearly shite!. Thanks.

[@aloysiusjones3985]

Saw one in Bunnings $37.00 I think. Put sand paper on the base then you avoid the need for clamps.🇦🇺👍

[@jamesphoenix3697]

Hi I have the same saw but find it tears out so much so after trying to find a better blade I realise that they do not make one for this saw any ideas?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Not sure, must do though. I just got a refund it and ended up with a used festool instead. That said a good blade in there should certainly help.

[@ninzb9502]

Love all your videos please keep the videos coming, good work

[@GregWallis]

If you can find one, you can get the Titan/MacAllister track saw from B&Q for £80. I've just picked one up and it's a gamechanger.

[@bren106]

I have a set of MacAllister cordless tools (hammer drill, nail gun, reciprocating saw, and an LED light). Within a year the charger burnt out and they (B&Q) are unable/uninterested in supplying another. It would appear they are just job lots, generic branded, with an all encompassing name of MacAllister. Their disinterest may have cost me the price of what is now a useless box of still shiny tools, but over the years since I've spent many, many hundreds of pounds at their main competitors - Wickes. One day I'll get around to converting them to lithium 18650 cells

[@GregWallis]

@@bren106 Well it might be branded MacAllister but it's actually a Titan unit, normally sold by Screwfix for £110. Watch the Peter Millard video review and you'll see it's pretty good. And a 2 yr warranty.

[@MarcusT86]

Hi Tim, why do you need that extra bit for clamping? Can't you clamp to the raised strip on top?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Depends on saw, motor housing hangs over on some and clashes on deeper cuts.

[@MarcusT86]

@@TheRestorationCouple thanks for the reply. I'm buying my first circular saw soon so this is really helpful :)

[@Pecke1234]

What do you think about erbauer brand?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Great value for money, new EXT kit is good.

[@Pecke1234]

@@TheRestorationCouple 👏👏👏🥰🥰🥰

[@jstinchcombe1]

How is the new Erbauer EXT was looking the range at Screwfix this week?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

So far very impressed. Will be testing quite a few in next weeks video. Battery life seems better than other brands I have had too.

[@welsh0001]

I've got the drill set, and I think they are great! The batteries last forever, and they are much cheaper than the big brands!

[@HappyAccidentVideos]

Works with angle cuts?

[@stodulskim]

Just a question off topic, don't you think it is a bit of waste having different cordless systems? You have bosh, makita, ryobi.. Just a general question, otherwise big fan of channel!!

[@TheRestorationCouple]

I try and stick to the same for cordless to keep on one battery. There are tools which are not available on the Bosch line up, or at least not on my budget hence why the ryobi nailer and hitachi framing mailer. Corded it doesn’t really matter unless you are trying to colour theme your workshop! 😉

[@kira-fireellis634]

Thank you!

[@airspike1]

Noticed the Erbauer ECS18 was the saw used, can I be cheeky, what is it like as I am thinking of purchasing one?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Not great. Fine when cutting but stalls easily and won’t start up with slightest bit of resistance, ie mid cut. Battery great though.

[@pavoltrisc9880]

@@TheRestorationCouple Thanks for that. I couldn't find any reviews of that saw on KZbin. You could make a video about the saw . A lot of people would be interested to know if its any good

[@b.michaelbrown1117]

I need that shirt! 😎

[@normanboyes4983]

It’s a great idea and well explained - however with amount of remodelling you do a quality tracksaw would earn its keep very very quickly.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

I’m sure it will and it’s on the list, just a few other bits that are more of a priority for now. 👍

[@AC-dl5yh]

Brilliant... Thank you!

[@waltermessines5181]

A man with a Japanese saw, what is there not to like?

[@createdezign1840]

I got the track for a battery saw I use for £10 at Lidi.

[@superiorbeing95]

Titan tracksaw on offer in B&Q at mo for £75, bargain!

[@SuperKiko112]

That saw is impressive? Is that Bosch?

[@JUBA223]

I wouldn't say poor mans I'd smart mans

[@johnyhenderson2961]

should have mentioned how to make sure the piece of wood on top is actually square. Might sound simple and obvious but the people watching this sort of video are probably beginners (like me)

[@jakeqwaninne8502]

GOOD GOD MAN, is that circ saw jet propelled and launch missiles, that thing looks wikked

[@Justin-cl7lg]

I can t keep a straight piece of wood in my saw bag and when I’m out in bum fuck nowhere and my boss wants me to cut the ply wood or board straight in 2 minutes or less I can’t do all this shit, how come I can find a video that will just show me how to guide the cut and cut straight without spending 5 minutes prepping for the cut