Make This Circular Saw Track Saw Guide....With a Circular Saw!

This is the simplest and easiest beginner-friendly circular saw track saw guide you will find. This video explains why you need it and how to make it!

Check out all of the Free Out of the Woodwork project plans:

Don't waste your hard-earned money on unnecessary tools. My Free checklist will show you exactly what tools and accessories you need for the beginner to advanced woodworking shop. Download it Free:

Step-by-step details of this project:

Discounts on great products (Affiliate Links - I make a small commission at no extra cost to you):
Save 10% on TotalBoat epoxy with code 'otw10'
Save 15% on Starbond CA glues with code 'OUTOFTHEWOODWORK15'
Save 10% site-wide on great INTOTHEAM shirts and other clothing:

Circular saw crosscut and rip station:

Circular saw jig to cut bevels greater than 45 degrees:

Full circular saw tips and tricks explanation video:

Tools and other accessories I use:

Follow Out of the Woodwork on these channels:

Music:

About this video:
Breaking down plywood is an issue for most hobbyist woodworkers. I've done it on my table saw, but it's a 2 person job and even then it's a pain. The best I’ve found is to use a circular saw and some sort of straight-edge. So, I'm showing you how to build one yourself, as I build mine. I'll also explain the other options out there, their problems, and why you really need this jig.

[HHTTRRNN]

My dad was using these back in the 1950's but with a piece of 1/4 inch paneling (smooth / finished side up). The lighter weight of the paneling made it much easier to handle and the smooth surface made the saw glide more easily. He also made a short one (4 feet) for cross cutting plywood.

[scottlawrence]

I used this principle to make a double sided guide
One side suits my circular saw and the other side suits my router.
Whichever side I use the other side leaves room for clamps and I can use the router to clean up edges and/or cut grooves - I usually use 18mm mdf so the router guide was cut to suit an 18 mm router bit.

[rsjcloudnine]

I’ve been using these for 20 years. It has saved me so much time and the cuts always look great. I never make a cut without this guide.

[reddlief]

I watched your build for the crosscut rip station first...I should have started here. I made a comment and asked a question that is answered here. Thanks, your videos and FREE plans are a big help for a 71 yr old trying to rebirth his woodworking skills. Well done!

[armoredsaint]

I’ve been making these out a quarter inch vinyl/melamine for years easy to make easy to use and you can usually make them out of scrap around the shop! Gets the job done quite well!

[meanmazda]

Really good and simple to make. Was going to buy one but now I think I’ll make one. Thanks for the advice!

[johnvgig]

THANK YOU! Your circular saw guide is the only one that takes into account the clearance needed for future

[elchinodecai]

really easy and practical track saw guide.
Thank you mate, tomorrow I'll make one with some scrap pieces of plywood I've got somewhere.

[rayh]

Simplicity itself, great. Your explanations are clear and concise, much appreciated... thank you.

[richardmccann]

This is absolutely ingenious! I made my guide following your example from some old IKEA desk pieces I found in a skip =) just chipboard with laminate but the laminate made it all perfectly straight and smooth, perfect for the guide to slide across! Thanks so much for this fantastic idea mate, it's saved me having to buy a guide myself (or even a table saw!)

[satxtrap]

hmm... I need to make a couple of these. I've always used a straightedge but sometimes the start of the cut isn't exactly as good as it could be since the saw hasn't had a chance to let the straight edge "guide it" until I get a few inches into the cut. I think that when I make these I'll pull the starting edge of that top board back a couple inches (so it's protruding off the bottom sheet a bit) to let the saw have something to ride up against before the whirly bits start to do their job. By the time it gets to the other end of the sheet the blade will have already cut through before the saw runs out of guide.

[GlynisDance]

Thank you for clear and helpful video! I have some work tops to cut, and they need to be straight cuts - so this is just the video I needed. I like the way you don't have to measure the distance to the blade and square up every time. :)

[jonnycap]

This is simple and brilliant. Thanks for the instruction!

[Watson]

I really like this jig, easy to build and use, thank you for that. Cheers Wiz

[cpm]

I was looking which straight edge guide to buy, your guide makes me change my purchase decision and went ahead to local store to have them cut to sizes.
I needed to trim an 8 feet panel only by 1 1/2 inch and had no idea how to do it til I see your video.
Will also do for sure for a 4ft guide.
Thanks for precise explanations and instructions!

[piggly-wiggly]

I had an idea to build this very thing, having seen the cost of plunge saw guides and the fussiness of the clamp down guides. I'm glad to see I wasn't completely off base.

[gavinhiggins]

Thanks for this video. I have some 6x2 timber to tidy up before making a door to my shed. It's quite knotty so planing the edges isn't the best option, this type of jig will be just what I need to use my circular saw to skim a bit of each edge.

[Omniiibus]

Thank you for posting this video, it is extremely helpful and I will refer back to it in the future as a "circular saw guide" guide lol! II purchased some 2X8 and 4X8 wood, but had no idea how to rip it down to size to remove the curved edges, but this is perfect!

[TsunamiKitten]

Good process. I'd suggest using profile aluminum (80/20) as the fence and just run bolts flush to bottom on the ply platform guide. That way you can just swap out the ply if and when it gets damaged or worn. Thanks for producing the vid.

[danielmyers]

This will be perfect for me when I build my TV cabinet! Thanks for the great idea!