Which Side of the Line Do I Cut On? PTR Ask the Pros

We received a great question from Ann, asking about which side of the line you should cut on when using a circular saw. It's a great question, and one that we ran by Tom Gaige, our resident Pro contractor to get his take. As it turns out, the answer actually starts with drawing the line.

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0:16 Make Sure Your Board is Square
0:53 Properly Making a Mark
2:20 Understand How Your Blade Relates to the Notch on the Saw
3:43 Lining Up for the Cut
4:14 Using a Square Along the Base of the Saw
5:07 Always Cut to the Far Side of the Line

[stevend]

I'll take issue with a couple of items. A single little straight line is all that is needed. If you want to make an arrow out of it then fine. It's basically doing what you are doing but not necessary. Also I usually would mark an X on the waste side of the mark similar to when laying out a wall as to what side of your mark you want your studs on. Secondly, your description of the kerf was very incomplete. Unless you are cutting with a hollow ground planer blade then measuring just one tooth will give you the kerf. But all other blades have a set to the teeth just like a handsaw. Some teeth go left and some go right. It is the total of both left and right that is the actual kerf of the blade.

[deborahschwenk]

I call that V a crows foot. My husband taught me that. Thanks for the info

[olgajoachimosmundsen]

I think the main idea is that you should always be mindful about the cutting-tool you're using and the fact that it removes material in the process of cutting. That will determine how you mark up your material and what you actually end up with. If you're mindless about this - then everything you cut will be short. More often that will cause problems. For me, cutting on the center of the line is faulty thinking as you now have to add to the length to make up for what you remove from the initial measurement. Sometimes remembering a measurement is difficult enough as it is, if not to always having to add a little extra. I actually started to use the v-method not long ago, and I think it is brilliant as I can also give away whatever I'm measuring to someone else who will understand what to do intuitively. Before I would draw up a line, and try to remember which side to cut on. The v-line takes away the need to be concerned with remembering more things than necessary.

[awesomeness]

It's worth noting you should always remove your battery before you start messing around with the blade

[dsimms]

you actually are supposed to measure once and cut twice. It's better to sneak up on a cut vs measuring twice. The crowsfoot I do use though.

[lesblack]

I don't like your method but it obviously works for you. I prefer to mark right on the length with a small square, then put a cross on the offcut side. Works for me.

[yobryan]

I always do 2 marks, each on the edge and use a square to trace the line

[ccadama]

@ Pro Tool Reviews. Thanks Kenny and Tom for the tips on making more accurate cuts.

So Kenny, is Tom on the hook to clean up since he didn't use dust collection?

Hope you guys and your families stay safe and well.

[flyersaz]

What if you needed the longer section to be the piece your using? (The 14" piece is the scrap). Where do you line up for that?

[shanemoore]

Great video and also how would you guys recommend making a rip cut with a circular saw, a accurate rip cut if a track saw isn’t present. Will love to get your take on the matter

[adamthewoodworkinglawyer]

Ok so I get the concept, but I'm confused on the two lines he draws to represent the 14 inch measurement line and the kerf line. So should I be lining up the blade with the first line he drew, or with that second line he drew to represent the kerf?

[lesblack]

Probably help if you moved the cloth out of the way!!

[johnklekotka]

Pro contractors, maybe, but not pro videographers!... you think you would move that stupid rag that was blocking the view of the action! 😱😱 Otherwise a good video! 👍

[Rujbkk]

Sure wish the rag wasn't there... ;)

[indieOttawa]

That cloth rag totaly photobombed your video. Just sayin'

[robeggers]

Wrong. Put the pencil EXACTLY on the measure and curve line to waist side ending with a little flag ", ". single mark is more precise than 2 marks and one mark takes less time. Over 40 years tells me it works

[gateslattes]

I like to leave pencil and draw line right away