How to Make a Jig to Rip Wood With a Circular Saw

Pull a tape measure from your circular saw's blade to the outer edge of its base plate. If your jig will be on the left side of the saw, measure from the blade to the left edge and, if on the right side, measure to the right. Because the base plate's edge butts against the jig, this measurement represents the distance of the jig from the actual cut line.

Mark the position of the cut on both sides of the work material to ensure that your next building project stays straight and true. Stretch a chalk snap line between the two marks and pull the line taut. Pull the line away from the material's surface and release the line to create a chalk line that runs across the work material and through both marks.

Refer to your base plate measurement. Stretch a tape measure perpendicularly away from the the chalk line. Make a mark to represent the base plate measurement's from the chalk line.

Make a second, identical, mark at the opposite end of the chalk line. Stretch the chalk snap line between the two marks and snap the line to create a second chalk line on the material's surface. You now have two, parallel lines. The first represents the position of the cut and the second the position of the jig.

Place a straight edge over the second chalk line, the line that represents the jig. Align the straight edge with the line. Clamp the straight edge to the work material at each end.

Lift the saw onto the work material's end and position the edge of its base plate against the side of the straight-edge. While holding the saw in place, check the position of the saw's blade. If the saw's blade is aligned with the first chalk line, the cut line, then your jig is ready. If the blade is out of position, realign the straight edge and check again.

Position the edge of the saw's base plate against the side of the straight edge. Keep the saw's blade away from the material. Grip the saw with two hands. Activate the saw's blade. Push gently sideways, toward the straight-edge, with one hand; this force forces the base plate to remain parallel with the straight edge.

Maintain sideways pressure with one hand and use the other hand to push the saw blade forward and through the material.