The circular saw acts as a sort of high-speed handsaw and is a great timesaver. It's portable, versatile and safe when used properly. Although these tools aren't suited for precision cutting, they work well for "rough" work such as cutting the ends off deck boards. Before you start cutting, adjust the depth selector (figure A) so that the blade will be about 1/2" deeper than the thickness of the board. If you're following a cut line, use the guide (figure B) on the front of the saw. If you try to use the blade itself as a guide, you'll probably cause it to bind in the wood. Another feature to help you cut straight lines is the rip fence (figure C), which slides along the edge of the board you're cutting. Most rip fences include measuring guides to help you make the cut at the proper width. If you do a lot of cutting outside the house, consider purchasing a battery-powered miniature circular saw (figure D). Although it isn't as powerful as the larger saw, it includes all of the larger tool's safety features and is more portable.
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