Replies

1. 
   AndyE | Mar 09, 2005 02:03am | #1

   Could be a few different things at work. Possibly a saw blade that isn't sharp enough, or if the cut edge of the 2x is fuzzy, your wood might be pretty wet. If you are getting splintering at the end of the cut, you may be turning your hand as you push towards the finish, or your cutoff piece might be tearing away as it falls. Try supporting it on a sawhorse.
   I like to use a tri-square as a fence with a circ saw.

   There is alot of good advice floating around, welcome to the boards,

   AndyE

1. 
   lpr | Mar 11, 2005 12:09am | #3

   Thanks AndyE.  I found out my saw blade was diry. I bought a new blade with carbide teeth and the cuts are smooth. But  I still get splinters at the end of the cuts when the break off piece is long.The next time I cut some 2x4s I will use support the breakoff end.

1. 
   AlanWS | Mar 17, 2005 07:22pm | #7

   Supporting the waste as you cut should help avoid splintering as the piece falls off, but make sure to support it so the main part does not move. The worst way to do it is to support at the ends and cut between, so the sagging work pinches the blade. The foam method mentioned above is a very good idea, as it supports everything.

2. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 09, 2005 03:35am | #2

   Dumb here but I'm a Yank so forgive me... What is a circular side winder saw?

   I guess a carpenters saw as I call them... I have had that same problem for years!

   Just a thought.. Lay the 2x4 on some ridgid foam and adjust the saw so the teeth just exit to underside of the wood by a small amount ( the tooth depth) and cut..

   Helps support the cut-off and reduces the kickback you sometimes get..

   Or a good chop-saw!

   Just me....

1. 
   MarkRD | Mar 11, 2005 03:39am | #4

   I'm guessing a worm drive circular saw...Mark

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

1. 
   mike4244 | Mar 11, 2005 04:08am | #5

   He is speaking of a regular old handheld electric circular saw, they are referred to as sidewinders as opposed to worm drives. Up until a few years ago all side winders had the blade on the right. Porter cable and others now make side winders both ways. I prefer the blade on the left. To my knowledge ,all worm drives still have the blade on the left.

   mike

2. 
   lpr | Mar 12, 2005 11:20pm | #6

   A side winder circular saw has the motor to the side of the blade instead of to the rear of the blade like a worm drive circular saw.