How to Rip Narrow Boards with a Circular Saw?

If you are bothering how to rip narrow boards with a circular saw, then let me tell you that this is not the toughest job. With the help of this handy machine, you can do it on your own. A long-board can be cut into pieces within a short time making the narrowest margins.

You might have doubts regarding the circular saw and the table saw. But from my experience, a circular saw can do almost the same jobs that a table saw can. Here, we are going to discuss a few tricky tips to make it easy for you to rip narrow boards with a circular saw.

How to Rip Narrow Boards with a Circular Saw

A circular saw can cut different materials by using the toothed or abrasive disc or the blade. The power of it generates from the rotary motion that spins around the arbor to make the cutting effortless. Though a hole saw and a ring saw have the same rotary motion, the operation process is completely different comparing a circular saw. 

As a primary portable cutting tool, the circular saw is the most effective machine for every worker. For precise, straight cuts, and in all kinds of building materials, this tool is irreplaceable. The powerful motor and fast-spinning blade make all the ripping tasks easy and swift.

If you want to make straight cuts on boards or sheets of any length, a circular saw will be enough to do so. It is a powerful cutting device for any woodworking job.

Using a circular saw is not a difficult thing at all. Even if you do not have a table saw, the circular saw can be a good substitute to complete home tasks or DIY. To rip narrow boards easily, this tool will work great.

Necessary Tools to Cut the Narrow Boards

• A circular saw
• A circular saw tracks
• Measuring tape
• A sharp circular Blade
• A marker or a pencil
• A working table
• Clamps for attaching
• Stand

Ripping Narrow Boards with a Circular Saw

The working process to rip narrow boards is pretty simple and easy. Once you have a circular saw, you can do the ripping job effortlessly any time when you need.

1. Set an Accurate Platform: The platform you are choosing should hold the board properly. So, it must be long and straight enough. The best option is to pick a slab or a plank wood. You may have to use several slabs based on the height. If the slab is longer than the board, it would be easier for you to rip off.

The most important thing to maintain is the slab height. It is mandatory to keep the slab height more than the piece as you are using a circular saw. Otherwise, you will not be able to maintain a proper balance.

2. Use the Clamp to Tighten the Circular Saw: Now use the clamp to tight the circular saw properly with the platform. The best is to use two clamps on different sides so that the saw and the platform are attached tightly.

If the clamp is not tightening enough, use a few more pieces of wood in between them. Remember that the sole grip must hold the platform tightly. If it is not tight, then due to vibration it may lose its position.

3. Make a Trail: You have to determine the front side of the circular saw. Usually, the push inside part is the front side of it.

You have to make sure yourself of this. The wise thing is to make a trail to confirm the measurement of the thickness of the cut. So, start the machine and apply it through one corner of the board.

You have to change the front side of the circular saw if the thickness is not right. For a beginner, it might take a couple of attempts to obtain the desired thickness. So, there is nothing to lose hope.

4. Positioning the Circular Saw Blade and the Platform: If the trail is over, you have got the perfect measurement. Now, you have to adjust a couple of things before start ripping.

The platform and the saw blade must stay in a parallel position. Otherwise, there is a chance that the blade would wrap and disrupt the process. It may break the wood piece also. The worst scenario is the damage of the motor and the saw blade as well.

If you are having a problem while positioning, the better is to do another trail run. Use the front side of the saw to feed the blade with a piece of wood. Then turn it over and make another cut. As a trial, you can cut anywhere to balance the cut position.

Adjusting the blade is necessary, if you are not getting the expected results. For this, lose the clamp and fix it again tightly. If the trail cuts come to the same point, then you can stop as they are completely paralleled.

5. Adjusting the Blade Height: Adjusting the height of the blade is very essential. As you are going to cut the wood pieces at the top surface, it needs to be in the same position as the platform.

At first, place the saw blade on the surface. Now take a thin paper and place it under the blade. Take a close look at the paper as it is passing below the blade or not. If it is passing, then a proper adjustment is done.

5. Readjusting in Parallel: While doing all these, the body and the sole of the circular saw can make an angled position. If it happens, then you have to adjust them in parallel again. Placing the blade perpendicularly is a perfect way.

6. All Set to Start Ripping: If you have done all the above adjustments, you can start ripping narrow boards. The user manual will help you to operate the machine. Just push the trigger of the saw and keep it locked. Now start feeding the blade with your narrow boards.

Ensuring Safety While Using a Circular Saw

We are done with the guide over adjusting and operating a circular saw. Another important fact is the safety issue that we must maintain while using it.

• Going through the user manual is a must thing before using the circular saw. It will ease the process for you.
• Before start cutting, you should check the machine. The blades need to be in good condition and sharp and the machine must be fully charged.
• Make sure that the cords are not overlapping the cutting lines. Turn off the machine when you’re not using it.
• Using a face mask and goggles is recommended. Both these equipment will ensure safety of your nose and eyes from particles that are flying.
• Use your both hands perfectly so that you can operate the machine safely.

Conclusion

If you can make the adjustments and the settings properly then ripping narrow boards with a circular saw will be a simple job to you. But before going for the cut, a safety check is vital to know that the machine is running properly or not.

Cutting lines will be helpful and will not let you make any errors. So, you can make the cut lines to avoid trials. Just like any other saw, a circular saw will do almost all the cutting jobs that you want to do at home or your workshop.