Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Craig on August 08, 2004, 12:49:57 pm
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How does everyone here cut timber straight? I have a circuilar saw but don't have a fixed one with a work bench etc. I only have the saw and two stands to hold the wood. I am having a crap time cutting wood dead straight. Is there any tips you could give me?
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use a straight edge clamped to your board you are cutting. ( I am assuming you are talking about long cuts, for short crosscuts, use a miter box). You can use a long level, yardstick, length of steel (angle iron is good), or 2x4 (for wood, make sure to use the thinner dimension, as it is less likely to warp in that direction). You have to figure out how far away from your cut line to clamp it down, for my circular saw its an extra 1 1/4", so I draw that second line the same time I mark the line I want to cut.
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yeah you need a straight edge. You can buy these at any woodworking shop or sometimes at home supply store such as home depot. Else you can use a pice of wood that you know is straight but it may not be as manageable as something you go and buy.
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NOOOOOOOO!!!!
Don't cut up your Timber! Sell it to someone who will restore it!
;D
http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=10113 (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=10113)
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While perusing the net, I came across this: They call it a "Sawboard", althought I'd seen these numerous times, I hadn't come across them since finding BYOAC. I went through some old plan books, and for accuracy the most recommended piece for the "top" where the saw rides agains, use a piece of MDF, as the factory edges from those are usually straight, although not always.
When ya wanna cut away, just follow the directions from the site. Blam. Straight edges. (http://members.aol.com/woodmiser1/sawbd.htm)
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NOOOOOOOO!!!!
Don't cut up your Timber! Sell it to someone who will restore it!
;D
http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=10113 (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=10113)
LOL
Thanks for the help people.
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I thought of the same idea as that Sawboard. Trouble I had with it was that sometimes my saw would tip over a bit and cut into the sawboard. My circular saw is quite narrow and the blade is quite centered on the sole (so it tips over quite easily). The left side was supported by the "sawboard" and the right side was hanging free. To fix that you keep the bit they call "waste" and use that to support the saw on free hanging side. I have never had a crooked cut since.
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DONT LISTEN TO HIM!
Mame it if you want... Try and make it so you can recreate it if needed... But its your Timber cab and you can do what you want.
You will have to drill a few holes to get some buttons (unless you want a timber and Tutikan cab). Or you can just replace the cp with either a hotrod (brown + purple go GREAT together) or cut it out and build a giant cp over it http://jwz.livejournal.com/351759.html (http://jwz.livejournal.com/351759.html)
but don't let those classic wackos scare you into not doing what you want with what you got!
and last... clamping a 2x4 and running your circular saws base against it works great. Test it on another board to get exact sizes.. Then cut a 1x1 by the right size to what it actually cuts. You will get close by just measuring the distance... but it's not really exact. Measure a piece out and use it as a guide from that point on. Makes clamping it down to the exact spot MUCH faster and more accurate..... But finding a place for your guild so you don't have to create one every time is the hard part.
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This is a pretty good article on choosing & using a circular saw. Nice pictures too!
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/html/anniversary/toolguide/tools_part3.html
Edit - that first link didn't work, try this one. You have to go to the 2nd paragraph (picture of circular saw) and click on the article. That seems to work.
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Here's an article on making a guide for straight cuts using a circular saw. I've come across several articles in various woodworker magazines that use the same idea.
http://www.womeninwoodworking.com/tips/startingpoints7.cfm (http://www.womeninwoodworking.com/tips/startingpoints7.cfm)
Factory edges on plywood or mdf sheets are perfectly straight. This is a really simple jig to make.
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Thanks. :D It would work well.
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And another link on about the same thing:
http://members.aol.com/woodmiser1/sawbd.htm (http://members.aol.com/woodmiser1/sawbd.htm)
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Kiss the circular saw good bye and get a router and a piece of angle iron.