I'm looking for some advice on how to cut a 20mm x 20mm square cleat into four smaller 10mm x 10mm pieces using just a circular saw. I don't have access to a table saw and I'm really keen on getting straight cuts. Any techniques or tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
3 Answers
If you really need to cut the cleat to make it narrower, consider using a fine-bladed hand saw instead. It’s way safer and gives you a better chance of making straight cuts. Plus, it’ll take less time than trying to rig up some complicated jig for the circular saw!
I totally get that you don’t want to buy new pieces and want to learn cutting skills. But trying to cut that with a circular saw can lead to accidents. If you do go that route, make sure to secure your piece properly to avoid it moving around while you cut. Just a heads up!
Honestly, trying to make those cuts with a circular saw isn’t going to get you the precision you want. The saw blade removes material, so you'd probably end up with pieces less than the desired size. We always recommend looking into building a jig to help guide your cuts, but it could be more hassle than it’s worth, especially if you can get something closer to the size you need rather than cutting it yourself.