I'm looking to make a circular saw guide that stretches 12 feet long, but I'm unsure how to tackle this tricky project. I want to use uninterrupted 11-foot boards for a clean, straight edge. I've seen a lot of folks using 8-foot MDF sheets with the factory edge, but nobody seems to be going longer than that. I'm really cautious about making two cuts after shifting my materials, given that it's led to a non-straight and unflush situation before.
Is it possible to use 3/4" x 6" x 12' MDF moulding or baseboards with a clean edge? Could I just clamp it down and run the saw along it? I would greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks!
3 Answers
You could go for a simpler method by marking a straight line on your board with a chalk-line or string. Attach tile edging along that line, then cut the board to make your own straight cutting edge. This method gives you a DIY guide without the fuss of a complicated track. For visual guidance, check these videos: [Video 1](https://youtu.be/DOWMtyq1n-I) and [Video 2](https://youtu.be/T0oMbdP8AL0).
If you have access to a table saw, that could be the way to go! But if you're making a track, make sure it's secure—maybe glue a 1x6 to a larger piece like luan, cut it along the edge, and you'll end up with a shoot board that's super helpful. Just clamp it down and cut away. It's all about keeping things stable for a clean finish!
I've built a similar setup before, using a 12-foot piece of HDF for the guiding edge. It really made the cuts smoother! You can use a track saw for easier handling instead of a table saw, especially for such a long piece. I secured the HDF to a longer piece of plywood to create my own track system—it worked really well for me. Here's a link to a video showing a similar setup if you're interested! [YouTube Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxO1rczieLg)