How to Use a Circular Saw as a Panel Saw

Turn a circular saw into a panel saw with a straightedge.

A panel saw is a saw mounted on a large frame. The saw rides on movable beams in a straight line. This enables you to cut large pieces of plywood perfectly straight. The circular saw is handheld. It's difficult if not impossible to cut straight lines with a circular saw unless the saw has something to guide it. You can use a circular saw as a panel saw by clamping a long straightedge to the wood being cut.

Things You'll Need

• 3/4-by-48-by-96-inch plywood
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• 96-inch straightedge
• 2 hand clamps

Instructions

1. Lay the plywood across two sawhorses. Measure 24 inches over from one side, at the top corner, and make a mark. Measure 24 inches over from one side, at the bottom corner, and make a mark.

2. Lay the straightedge on the plywood and align the edge with the marks. Clamp the straightedge securely to the plywood using the two hand clamps.

3. Set the front edge of the circular saw on the plywood. Align the saw base to the straightedge. Pull the trigger to turn on the saw. Begin cutting down the fence, pushing the circular saw against the fence and letting the saw glide along the fence as it cuts.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a table saw to rip a 96-by-3-inch straightedge from a sheet of 3/4-inch plywood.

• The plywood and the 24-inch measurement are examples. You can clamp the straightedge to plywood or any lumber at any measurement you want, including those that run perpendicular to the grain.

• Always wear safety glasses. To avoid kickback, never tip a circular saw sideways.

References

• Sawdust Making 101: Circular Saws