Cutting Notches Out of Wood Planks

Secure the 1-by-6 board to a sturdy flat surface such as a workbench. Use the clamps to make sure the board does not move. One of the long edges of the board should overhang the bench.

Draw the notch on the board using the speed square. A speed square is a metal right triangle with two 45-degree angles and a 90-degree angle. Line up the 90-degree angle side with the edge of the board. This will show a perfect 45-degree line. Draw a line using the speed square as a straight edge to the center of the board. Turn the speed square and repeat the step drawing the second side of the notch. When complete, the notch will look like a small triangle with one side as the edge of the board.

Cut the notch with the jig saw. Follow the line and make straight smooth cuts up to the intersection of the second line. Cut that line up to the intersection. The notch may or may not fall out. If it does not, use the chisel and hammer to chisel out the rest of the notch.