When you decide to complete some DIY tasks, it can seem like a good idea at the time.
However, when you start using tools you have never used, it can be very intimidating and difficult to get your head around alone.
If you have never used a handsaw before, you are not on your own. It is important to be very safe when using sharp tools, but you also want the job to look professional and well done.
You can use a handsaw to cut a piece of wood, but how do you use it?
This article will explain how to use a handsaw to properly cut timber straight to make sure that you are happy with your work.
You will feel more confident using this equipment and will be using it safely and correctly, which is very important.
What Type Of Handsaw Should You Use?
Lots of people assume that choosing a handsaw requires you to find the best handsaw for the job that you are doing.
However, the way that you should choose the right handsaw for you is to choose a saw based on the cuts that you will be making.
You should always choose a handsaw based on the direction in which you are cutting the timber.
If you are cutting with the grain, a standard handsaw will allow you to do the job properly.
However, if you are cutting across the grain, you will need to explore some options to help make the job easier and cleaner for you.
A crosscut saw can be used, but it takes practice to be able to cut in a straight line using it.
Avoid saws with a thin blade, like a coping saw, as this hand saw blade won't be able to handle the thickness of timber.
How To Cut Timber In A Straight Line
The process of cutting timber in a straight line can be difficult, so people need to make sure that they are confident and are working precisely, but what is the process?
Prepare Where You Will Be Working
If you have the right space to work on when cutting timber in a straight line, you will find it a lot easier to execute properly, no matter what type of saw you use.
Firstly, you need to find a flat surface to use that is stable. If the surface is uneven or unstable, your precision will be faulty.
After you have found a flat surface, you will need to attach clamps to the workspace. This will hold the timber in place so that you can make an accurate cut.
Without clamps, the timber would be unstable and difficult to cut. You can also use a miter box to help make straight cuts.
The work surface that you choose needs to be long enough to hold the timber. If too much hangs off the ends, it will make the cutting process unsteady.
Draw A Straight Line
To make sure that you have an accurate base to follow, draw a cut line on the wood using a ruler and a pencil.
Mark the line that you want to cut in the timber as this will give you a greater chance of executing it perfectly.
If you guess how straight the line will be, the chances are that it will not be accurate.
Attach a straight board to the piece of timber that you are cutting and clamp it down. This will help to keep your handsaw straight when you are cutting the line.
Cut The Timber
Hold the saw blade straight over the cut line, and then begin to make a saw stroke across the timber, applying even pressure on the saw plate.
You need to start with a push stroke first before the pull stroke. If the wood begins to splinter, adjust the angle of the saw teeth.
If no splinters appear, you can begin to use full strokes to cut through the timber.
Keep in mind that a rip saw can only cut on the push stroke.
As you near the end of your cut, make shorter strokes so that it cuts through the wood quicker.
Bowing is very common at the end of the process, so you need to make sure that you maintain the quality of the cut and prevent the wood from splintering or breaking.
What To Avoid When Cutting Timber Straight
There are a lot of things that people get wrong when they are cutting timber with a handsaw. You want to make sure that you avoid these mistakes as they can affect the quality of your work.
Do Not Guess Your Measurements
It can be very easy to draw a straight line on a piece of timber and think that it is straight.
It may look straight from a certain angle, but once you cut the timber, you may notice that it is not straight.
If you do not have a straight marking to follow, you will struggle to achieve a neat straight cut.
Prevent The Straight Board From Moving
When the straight board moves when attached to your timber, it not only affects the quality of your cutting, but it can be very dangerous.
If the board is moving, there are high chances that the saw can move out of the grooves.
This needs to be prevented as it could cause an injury if the saw is not secure when you are cutting. This is where miter boxes come in handy.
Do Not Rush
When you rush the process, accidents are more likely to happen.
You need to be aware of your surroundings and the equipment that you are using as you are using sharp tools that can cause serious injuries.
Take the time to carefully plan out the task and make sure that it is executed not only correctly, but safely.
Be Precise When Cutting
When you are cutting through the timber with the saw, most people think that if you start straight, it will end straight.
You need to pay attention the whole time, as if you cut out of place, it can ruin the whole cut.
You need to saw in strokes to make sure that you maintain the same straight cut as the rest of the process to ensure precise cuts and a straight edge.
Be Safe
When you are using tools like handsaws, you need to make sure that you are wearing the right safety equipment.
Protective gloves are important as you need to make sure that your hands are safe, so you will need to focus and wear protective gloves.
This will also help to increase your grip on the wood, resulting in a cleaner cut.
Eye protection is very important as sawdust can irritate. Wearing goggles will protect your eyes from this and will allow you to focus on the task at hand.
You will not experience any irritation, meaning that you will be safe holding the saw as you will be able to see clearly.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, it can be intimidating to use a handsaw to properly cut timber straight if you never have before, but you can achieve it if you are precise and organized.
Choosing the right saw is important, but you also need to make sure that you mark a straight line on the timber to use as a guide.
Saw in strokes to make sure that you maintain a straight line and do not rush. The more you rush, the more likely you are to have an accident or to go off track.