How to Cut Lumber to the Right Size

Place the lumber on your workbench where it is flat and still. Lay your ruler or tape measure on the lumber so the edge of the ruler or tape measure corresponds with the edge of the lumber.

Make a pencil mark on the lumber at the point on the ruler or tape measure equivalent to the length of piece you want to cut. Remove the ruler or tape measure.

Lay your set square across the face of the lumber so the edge lines up with the pencil mark. Draw a straight line across the edge of the set square that goes through the pencil mark. Measure again to check the line is in the correct place.

Turn the lumber through 90 degrees. Hold the set square in line with the straight line you drew so you can draw another straight line along this face of the lumber. Draw lines across the other two faces too, if you wish.

Clamp the lumber on your workbench so there is enough room for you to operate the saw without damaging the bench. Use a crosscut saw to cut across the grain, say professional carpenters Gaspar J. Lewis and Floyd Vogt. Otherwise, use a ripsaw.

Begin sawing on the original line, letting the saw do the work and using the whole of the saw’s teeth. Keep the saw on the lines you drew to ensure the cut is true. Support the end piece as you get near the end of the cut, to make sure it doesn’t snap off and spoil the work.