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How to Cut Wood Without a Table Saw [3 Ways]

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V Susan
Hi! I'm Susan. I am passionate about woodworking, general DIY and home improvement. If you'd like to connect with me or talk about something you like at mellowpine, drop me a mail at susan@mellowpine.com

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How to cut wood without table saw
How to cut wood without table saw -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

If you need to cut wood but don’t have a table saw, there are other less expensive and simpler options available.

Now, depending on the cut you wish to do, the choice of tools can change.

In this guide, I’ll show you three ways of cutting wood when you don’t have a table saw.

Things You’ll Need

  • Circular Saw/Jig Saw/Hand Saw
  • Speed Square
  • Carpenter’s Pencil
  • Masking Tape
  • Quick Grip Clamps
  • Sacrificial board (MDF or Plywood works well)

Method 1: How to Cut Wood using Circular Saw

In this method, I’ll be showing how to make a simple cut using a circular saw.

Begin by placing a sacrificial board on top of the work surface.

The sacrificial board protects the work surface from cuts.

placing the sacrificial board on the work table
placing the sacrificial board on the work table -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Place the wood to be cut on top of the sacrificial sheet.

wood placed on the sacrificial board
wood placed on the sacrificial board -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Fix masking tape on the wood before drawing a cut line on it.

fixing masking tape to prevent splinters
fixing masking tape to prevent splinters -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Using a speed square and a carpenter’s pencil, draw a cut line along the length/width for cutting depending on how you want it.

drawing the cut line on the wood
drawing the cut line on the wood -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Set the depth of the blade using the edge of the wood as a reference.

The blade should be deep enough to make a through cut in the wood while grazing the sacrificial board underneath.

setting the blade depth of the circular saw
setting the blade depth of the circular saw -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Measure the offset distance from the base of the saw to its blade.

The offset distance is needed to know where to place the guide for the circular saw.

In this example, I’ll be using a speed square as the guide to cut straight.

measuring the offset from blade to edge of base plate
measuring the offset from blade to edge of base plate -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

The offset distance measured in the previous step should be transferred to the wood piece.

Measure from the cut line and mark a point at the offset distance.

This is the point where the speed square should be placed to align the blade with the cut line.

marking the offset distance on the wood
marking the offset distance on the wood -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Clampdown the wood along with a speed square or a level to guide the saw.

Clamp the wood piece at the middle and end as well.

clamp the wood piece and the speed square
clamp the wood piece and the speed square -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Align the blade with the cut line and plug in the saw.

aligning the blade of the circular saw with the cut line
aligning the blade of the circular saw with the cut line -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Remember to cut on the scrap side of the cut line to get the exact dimensions needed.

This is to account for kerf loss (due to blade thickness).

Turn on the saw and cut along the marked line.

cutting the wood with circular saw
cutting the wood with circular saw -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Once the cut has been made, smoothen the edges using sandpaper.

Smoothing the edges using sandpaper
Smoothing the edges using sandpaper -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

With that, the cut is completed and ready.

Wood cut using circular saw
Wood cut using the circular saw -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

For ripping using a circular saw refer to this- How to Rip a 2×4 with a Circular Saw

Method 2: How to Cut Wood using Jigsaw

For cutting with a jigsaw, you shouldn’t use a sacrificial board.

Instead, clamp the wood near the edge of the table with the scrap side sticking out for cutting easily.

First, place the wood on top of the work surface.

Wood to be cut placed on the work surface.
Wood to be cut placed on the work surface. -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Fix some masking tape on the wood before drawing the cut line on it.

fixing masking tape to prevent splintering
fixing masking tape to prevent splintering -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Using a speed square and a pencil, draw a line for cutting.

marking the cut line
marking the cut line -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Next, measure the offset distance from the edge of the base to the jigsaw blade.

The offset distance is needed to know where to place the guide for the Jigsaw.

offset distance from blade to edge of base plate
offset distance from blade to edge of base plate -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Transfer the offset from the saw to the wood by measuring from the cut line.

marking the offset on to the wood
marking the offset on to the wood -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Clampdown the wood along with a speed square or a level to guide the saw so that it overhangs from the end of the work surface.

Now, unlike the circular saw it is important to make sure the cut line is in the overhang as the blade of the jigsaw extends much beyond the thickness of the wood.

Clamp the wood at both ends.

clamping the speed square on the wood
clamping the speed square on the wood -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Align the blade with the cut line and plug in the saw.

aligning the blade with the cut line
aligning the blade with the cut line -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Remember to cut on the scrap side of the cut line to get the exact dimensions needed.

Turn on the saw and move it along the cut line drawn earlier.

Make sure to press the jigsaw firmly against the fence to maintain a straight line.

cutting the wood with Jigsaw
cutting the wood with Jigsaw -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Once the cut has been made, smoothen the edges using sandpaper.

sanding the wood for finishing
sanding the wood for finishing -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

With that, the cut is completed using the Jigsaw.

Wood cut using the Jigsaw
Wood cut using the Jigsaw -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Method 3: How to Cut Wood using Hand Saw

A hand saw is also a reasonable option for cutting wood.

However, it’s difficult to get smooth and precise cuts using a hand saw.

Begin by placing a sacrificial board on top of the work surface.

placing the sacrificial board on the work table
placing the sacrificial board on the work table -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Place the wood to be cut on top of the sacrificial sheet.

Fix masking tape on the wood before drawing the cut line on it to prevent splintering.

fixing masking tape to prevent splinters
fixing masking tape to prevent splinters -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Using a speed square and a pencil, draw the cut line along the length or width for cutting.

drawing the cut line on the wood
drawing the cut line on the wood -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Clamp the wood at the middle and end.

Clamping the wood before cutting with hand saw
Clamping the wood before cutting with hand saw -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Align the saw blade with the cut line.

Make sure to place the saw blade just next to the line (on the scrap side) to account for kerf loss.

If you want an angled cut, use the miter box that came with your hand saw.

Placing the handsaw on the cut line
Placing the handsaw on the cut line -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Begin cutting along the line.

Cut carefully, keeping a straight and vertical line.

cutting the wood with hand saw
cutting the wood with hand saw -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Once the cut has been made, smoothen the edges using sandpaper.

sanding the edges after cutting
sanding the edges after cutting -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

With that, you have completed cutting the wood using a hand saw.

Wood cut using hand saw
Wood cut using hand saw -Credit: John Abraham/mellowpine

Tips for Accuracy when Cutting Wood

  • While using the hand saw remember to support the wood using one hand and cut using the other.
  • While marking, never mark just as a point. Instead, mark it as a ‘tick’ mark or a ‘crow’s foot’ mark. Doing so helps in identifying the point to be cut easily.
  • More teeth on the saw blade means better cut but takes longer to cut and large teeth means quick but rough cuts.
  • If you are using wet wood or treated lumber, use a blade that’s appropriate for that purpose.
  • Make sure to cut outside of the line, so the wood piece that you intend to use has the correct dimensions.
  • Use a rasp to clean and smoothen the cut after sawing. Alternatively, A hand sander or sanding paper can also get the job done.
  • Masking tape helps in highlighting the cut line in case of darker woods.
  • Use a sharp blade with an appropriate number of teeth.
  • Using masking tape before drawing the mark on it can help reduce splinters and lend a more pleasing finish.
  • Remember to support the board equally over the sawhorse so as to prevent it from falling over.

Tips for Safety when Cutting Wood

  • Never stay right behind or too close to the running blade to avoid injury in case of kickback. Kickback is extremely dangerous and must be prevented at all costs.
  • Make sure the saw teeth are facing in direction of rotation. (Anti-clockwise direction in case of circular saw).
  • Once the saw is turned on, keep it steady but never try to force it back in case it veers off.
  • If the piece completely seperates from the wood, let it fall. Never try to catch it while holding a runnning saw in your hand.
  • Make sure depth is set all the way down before you begin adjusting.
  • Using excessive force will create pinch points in the wood leading to damage for both the user and the saw.
  • If you can smell something burning, immediately stop sawing and re-adjust the mask and saw blade.
  • Inspect the power chord for exposed wire and cuts. If the insulation is removed or exposed, consider changing the power chord immediately.
  • Before cutting any material, especially wood, make sure there are not obstructions such as nails inside the wood.
  • Using masking tape before cutting can help reduce splinters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is resawing lumber?

Resawing is the process of slicing the timber along the grain direction to reduce it to thinner sections or to make veneers. Resawing is a type of rip cut, but they are not the same.

How thick a Wood can a bandsaw cut?

A band saw can cut through wood four inches thick, and bigger saws handle up to six-inch cuts.

Why does my hand saw keep getting stuck?

While cutting using a handsaw, remember to keep your hand steady or else the blade will bend and result in an uneven cut. Using a dull blade leads to the blade being stuck in the wood and only yields rougher finishes.

V Susan
Hi! I'm Susan. I am passionate about woodworking, general DIY and home improvement. If you'd like to connect with me or talk about something you like at mellowpine, drop me a mail at susan@mellowpine.com