Circular saws are great tools for cutting wood. They’re versatile and easy to use, but they can be dangerous if not used correctly. In this blog post, we will talk about how to rip narrow boards with a circular saw.
We’ll cover two methods: the most basic ripping using a straight edge and a more advanced technique that uses a rip fence or guide rail and straight edge for increased accuracy. You’ll also learn the difference between a crosscut (cutting across the grain) and a rip cut (cutting along the grain).
What is used to rip a narrow piece of board?
Typically a table saw is used to rip a narrow board. However, it can be cumbersome to rip a long narrow board on a table saw. So, you can also use a circular saw to rip boards. You may need a few extra tools.
To rip a narrow piece of board with a circular saw, you need: a circular saw with a sharp blade, a narrow board, a platform or flat work surface to put the piece of wood, an angle or measuring tape, a pencil or marker, clamps, and safety gear.
What you need to get started
- Circular Saw
- Safety Gear (goggles, gloves, respirator or dust mask) Whenever you are using a power tool and may be exposed to flying debris, it’s always recommended to wear safety goggles or glasses. These will protect your eyes from any particles that might fly off the surface of the board when cut. This is especially important if the boards are made of a material that can shatter or splinter when cut.
- Narrow Board
- Measuring Tape
- Marker or pencil to mark the cut line.
- Straight Edge-This will help you keep your boards straight as you cut them. You can also use a scrap piece of wood for this if it’s easier or more convenient.
- Clamps or C-clamps to hold the boards in place while they are being cut, but these can also be used for crosscutting purposes if desired.
How to Rip Narrow Boards with a Circular Saw: Step by Step
Step 1: Safety
Keep safety in mind; wear protective eyewear and gloves and hearing protection when working with power tools.
Step 2: Create a Platform
Make a stable platform to cut on. You can use a longer and wider board than the one you are cutting, a sacrificial board, and lay it over your work table or 2 sawhorses.
Step 3: Mark Your Lines
Put a straight edge down on the board, parallel to the desired width of your cut—Mark your cuts by tracing the straight edge. Make your lines as accurate as possible.
Step 4: Place Clamps
Clamp your piece of wood to the sacrificial board and the platform you made. This keeps your board from moving while you are doing the narrow cut. Use 2 to 3 clamps down the piece of wood for the best stability.
Have the board you are cutting overhang the sacrificial board so your blade can go all the way through the board you are cutting. Move the clamps as you go, replacing the clamp on the side you already cut once you pass the clamp to ensure the whole board doesn’t move and you get straight lines.
Step 5: Make Reference Cuts
Use a reference piece of wood to determine the width of the saw. You want to make sure you are using the correct blade and that you adjusted your measurements to accommodate the width of the saw. Cut a piece of wood to see where the blade actually cuts.
Step 6: Adjust Depth of the Blade
Set the depth of the blade by raising or lowering it so that it is cutting through only the board’s thickness. Make sure it is not going to cut through your sacrificial board or worktable.
Step 7: Prepare to Cut
Ensure the blade is at the correct position and lock it in. Make sure the laser is locked onto the cut line, lock the rip fence into place, or use a straight edge guide.
Step 8: Slide the Saw Along Your Cut Line
Align the blade, switch on the saw, and hold the circular saw with both hands as you firmly slide the saw along the marked line. Move clamps as you approach them and replace them behind the saw to keep the board firmly in place. Keep to the side of the saw to prevent kickback.
Step 9: Remove Saw and Remove Clamps
At the end of the board, turn off the saw, allow blades to stop, and then remove the saw.
Tips to Improve Accuracy while Ripping Narrow Boards with a Circular Saw
The versatility of a circular saw also comes with the added difficulty of not easily adjusting the depth or angle like you might do on a table saw. It’s important to use quality blades and measure carefully, so your cuts are accurate every time, but here are a few tips to help you improve accuracy.
- Make sure all measurements are clear when making cuts. If you’re setting up inside a room, use the corner of your eye to gauge how far away from each other boards are when lining them up for cuts.
- If you’re using the rip cut, use a straight edge to guide your saw. This will allow for more accurate cuts and minimize any time spent trying to square up boards after they have been ripped.
- Get a circular saw with laser light to ensure you are cutting a straight line.
- Use a rip fence/guide or a guide rail when doing your rip cuts.
What is a Rip Cut vs. Crosscut?
A crosscut is when the wood needs to be cut across the grain. This cut usually produces a straight line and cleaner edges than other cuts like diagonal, shear, or plow.
A rip cut is an edge-to-edge sawing motion used on boards that are wider than they are thick. When done accurately, this type of cut produces long straight lines.
You can use a circular saw to make a crosscut or rip cut, depending on the blade size and orientation. It would be best if you also considered a dado set for wider boards that need an accurate edge-to-edge cut, like making shelves for bookshelves with finished ends.
To make a crosscut, align the center of the saw blade with one edge and use the other hand to guide the board through. To make a rip cut, line up one side of your cutting mark on the left-side bearing before pushing it past this point.
What is a Circular Saw Guide Rail?
A circular saw guide rail or circular saw track system are tools that you can use with your circular saw to make precise cuts. Some guide rails even have anti-splinter protection, so your cuts are clean.
Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide
A Rip-cut circular saw guide can turn your circular saw into a precision edge-guided tool. You can then cut straight, accurate, and repeatable cuts in any wood with ease. This setup allows you to make multiple pieces to the same size easily.
Circular Saw Straight Edge
How to Rip a 2×4 with a Circular Saw
You can use the same steps as above to rip a 2×4 with a circular saw. They can be a little trickier since they are thicker than other boards you may be ripping. Make sure you are using the correct blade for the thicker piece of wood.
Another key to remember is the actual measurement of a 2×4 is actually 1.5” x 3.5”. So if you measure to mark a straight line to cut it in half, you will mark at 1.75” not 2”.
Safety Tips when Cutting Boards with a Circular Saw
You may also want to consider some safety measures for your circular saw while ripping narrow boards with it:
- Always wear eye protection when operating a power tool and keep any loose clothing away from moving parts of the machine.
- Empty all excess debris, dust or dirt that may have accumulated on the floor around you to increase safety.
- Always use a sturdy work surface when ripping boards with a circular saw and make sure it’s at least one foot away from anything else in your workspace. This will help avoid any accidents as well as protect other items that might be nearby, like furniture or walls.
- It’s also important to make sure the blade is sharp and aligned properly before using it for any cuts, especially when ripping narrow boards with a circular saw. A dull blade can cause accidents or lead to poor quality work that may need additional finishing down the line.
- Stand on the side of the saw as you guide it along the board instead of behind the saw in case of kickbacks.
- Use hearing protection to avoid permanent damage to your ears.
- Use a good respirator and dust mask for the saw dust blowing up in your face as you saw. Dust from lumber, especially treated lumber can damage your lungs.
FAQ’s about ripping a narrow board with a circular saw
1. Is it difficult to rip narrow boards with a circular saw?
No, not at all. A circular saw is designed to handle ripping narrow boards with ease and accuracy. One of the benefits of using a circular saw for this type of project is that it gives you greater control over how wide your cut will be. In contrast, ripping narrow boards with a table saw is more cumbersome as it requires you to make many passes to widen the cut. If this type of rip were performed on a very long board, for example (longer than 12 feet), it would take an excessive amount of time and effort.
The other benefit of using your circular saw is that the blade guard can be adjusted to a 45-degree angle. This will give you greater protection from kickback and splinters when ripping narrow boards with your circular saw.
2. Is it safe to rip narrow boards with a circular saw?
Yes, it is safe to use a circular saw for this type of project.
When ripping narrow boards with your circular saw, the key safety measure is using push sticks (to keep fingers away from the blade) and wearing goggles or glasses that shield your eyes from kickback and other dangers. The reason these are so important is that you’re more likely to lose control of the saw, and it’s also more likely that you’ll have an accident if your vision isn’t clear.
3. What is a crosscut?
Crosscuts are made by cutting perpendicular to the grain, as opposed to ripping with it. This type of board can be used for flooring or other surfaces that need a stronghold and don’t require very many joints in between boards (such as paneling). A good example of a cross-cut would be cutting two by fours to make floorboards.
Conclusion
As you can see, the circular saw is a useful tool for ripping narrow boards of any size or shape. The most important safety measures are push sticks and goggles to protect your eyes from kickback and flying debris when using one. When ripping boards with a circular saw, you need to make sure your cut line is accurate.
Be sure to wear all your safety protection while using a saw. A guide rail or rip-cut saw guide can help you improve your accuracy and allow you to cut multiple boards to the same narrow width quickly.
