[dylan604]

>I have a circular saw, but it both scares the piss out of me and is hard to keep on the line.

Nothing to be scared of, respected yes. to aid with straight cuts, you can clamp down a straight edge (2x4, level, etc) to let the base of the saw glide against. make sure what ever you are cutting has proper support so that the weight doesn't cause the material to sag at the cut (pinching the blade is big factor in kick backs and stalls)

i also find it similar to driving a car. if you look at the road directly in front of you, you'll swerve more than if you look further ahead. don't watch where the blade is cutting, but the notch in the frame of the base. you'll get the hang of it to the point you'll be able to cut a 4'x8' sheet of plywood length wise without issues

[Fjolsvith]

The other tip that helps with cutting straight with a circular saw is to set the cut depth just shallow enough to go through the material. If the blade is deep, it is harder to turn.

[war1025]

> Nothing to be scared of, respected yes.

That's more accurate. I was probably overselling my fear of the saw. Mostly I find it to be more of a bother than it's worth for what I've been doing.

Really, a miter saw would be the power tool that would have been useful for me given the project's I've been working on recently. But also cutting a board to length isn't hard and it's kind of nice to see yourself get better making square cuts.

Edit:

Also thanks for the tips. Appreciate it.

[dylan604]

You're next project you'll find yourself buying the chop/mitre saw. Then you'll find the cut it can't do for the next project, and you'll see yourself getting a router, and then a routing table, and then... Next thing you know, you can't park your car in the garage anymore because it's no longer a garage. it's now a woodshop!

[war1025]

A boy can dream, but we're low on space as it is. It's part of the reason I've been sticking to hand tools.

Also just being enamored with the stuff I see on The Woodwrights Shop. Quick plug that PBS has the most recent ten season of The Woodwrights Shop available on their website [1]. I always changed the channel when I was younger and it came on. Not sure if it's just an appreciation that comes with age or if I just didn't give it a fair shake before, but it's really a great show.

[1] https://www.pbs.org/show/woodwrights-shop/

[godelski]

> a miter saw would be the power tool that would have been useful for me given the project's I've been working on recently.

Most of the projects I've done and did with my father when I was younger we done with a miter. If you're just making straight cuts on 2x4's, a miter is safe and easy to use. They are more expensive, but great tools, though they aren't as versatile as circular saws. Remember that every tool has a different job. If you have the money, it is always worth buying the tool than just winging it with what you have. I'll admit, and anyone that has used power tools will, that the close calls and dangerous stuff I've done is generally from a winging it situation. You shouldn't be scared, but you should always be paying attention and try to always use the right tool. Especially when the wrong tool doesn't work the first time. It is better to trade a few beers with your neighbor for a few hours with their tool than to get injured.