All About Circular Saw Guides

Working with a circular saw has a number of features: additional tools are required to ensure a correct, even cut. That is why the element called "tire" is so important. It effectively helps in work, makes it possible to correctly and accurately process any workpiece.

It is impossible to work productively without this element. It will facilitate the work, allow you to comply with safety requirements.

Tires are:

• double-sided;
• one-sided.

There is another differentiation of guide rails. They may be:

• symmetrical;
• asymmetrical.

And also there are tires of complex configuration, thanks to which it is possible to process workpieces of irregular shape. According to the method of application, the guides for the circular saw are differentiated into two types.

• Universal tires... This type of guide can be suitable for any units: both for circular saws and for hand tools.

• Tires can also be specializeddesigned to solve professional tasks that can only be performed with this equipment. Such devices only work with circular saws.

• Crossbar cutting bar Is the simplest device. With such a tool, you can make workpieces with an exact angle of 45 (90) degrees. The base is made of dense PCB or plywood. Support bars are 22x22 mm in size.

Before starting work with the tire, certain manipulations are carried out:

• the surface of the guides is checked for deformations;
• the reliability of the clamps is tested;
• it is checked how the tire corresponds to the material with which you will have to work.

A universal bar (rail) for a circular saw can be made of metal or wood, but most importantly, it should not deform.

The most commonly used tires are of the following configurations:

• profile "P";
• rail;
• corner;
• straight bars.

The guide elements are attached to the base with self-tapping screws, bolts and nuts, screws.

The main purpose of the tires:

• ensuring accuracy in work and quality of cutting;
• ensuring safe work;
• creation of various cutting configurations.

The thrust ruler can be used for the operation of such units:

• electric jigsaw;
• mechanical saw for wood;
• a circular saw.

To make a ruler for a safe stop, you should look for a strip of plywood... Its width should be 22 cm greater than the parameters of the platform. The ruler itself is made from this fragment, the rest of the material is used to create an emphasis in the base area, which are fastened with self-tapping screws.

Before starting work, it is advisable to test the structure by making a few test cuts on insignificant pieces of wood.

The test result makes it possible to understand:

• how the instrument behaves;
• vibration level;
• cut dimensions;
• what physical effort is required during work.

The mountings and stop for the end plate play an important role in the work. The mountings are:

• clamps;
• clamps;
• movable carriage;
• clamps.

All of them make it possible to securely fix the workpiece in the desired position. And also a reliable locking stop allows you to machine the material perpendicular to the wood fibers.

An emphasis made in the factory often does not meet the requirements, it significantly reduces the breadth of application, the manufacturer usually sets a rigid frame in length. For processing large boards, a support of other technical characteristics is required, so the craftsmen make such devices on their own.

When working, you should take into account the following details:

• dimensions of workpieces;
• technical features of the tool;
• the frequency of use of the tool.

And also during work it is recommended to control:

• cutting length;
• unit performance;
• what is the width of the groove;
• the specifics of using the saw;
• optimal cutting direction;
• permissible product density;
• the sequence of application of the security system.

When choosing the right tool, you should take into account the features of the working tool, as well as the material with which you have to deal. The most popular guides are tires made in Germany (Bosch) and Japan (Makita). Devices from these manufacturers ensure absolute precision of the cutting line.

Tires are not cheap, but over time they pay off if used in production.

Before buying a tool, you should make sure that it is free from defects (no curvature). Damage often occurs during transportation.

Interskol makes a good tool of domestic manufacturers. Tire sizes:

• 810х212 mm;
• 1410х212 mm.

The material of manufacture is aluminum with a special coating, there is a protective film that protects against damage. The bar is compatible in format with the DP-235 and DP-210 / 1900EM models.

A tire called “Saddle” is ideal for cutting a wide variety of bars. Consists of the following elements:

• back;
• two sidewalls (up to 6 mm thick);

The sides are sized to support the disc.

Makita makes guides for SP6000 and CA5000 devices. They can be connected to adapters that are suitable for hand tools.

Bosch manufactures 4 types of tires:

• 810х143 mm;
• 1105x143 mm;
• 1610x143 mm;
• 2110х143 mm.

There is also an adapter that allows you to compile the guides without any gaps. Manufacturers DeWalt, Elitech, Hitachi often make tires exclusively for their equipment.

First of all, you should correctly adjust the guide slot, which is located on the table and on the disc. For this, a dial gauge is used, which will make it possible to adjust all the slots on the table. The teeth are checked both from the front and from the rear. The error is no more than 0.051 mm.

You can also work with the protractor ruler, but its application requires good practical experience: the device can give a significant error.

Next, you should check the support part of the saw, while the error should not be more than 0.051 mm.If these parameters are not observed, then an unwanted offset will appear.

Next comes the cutter, which is called "wedging": it must be exactly aligned with the blade. Adjustment should be done on both sides by twisting special washers. If there is a need to remove the cutter, then remember the position of the adjusting washers.

Vibration inevitably occurs during machine operation. If the bolts are loose, the alignment of the rails will be compromised. Fasteners and clamps should be given special attention, they should be checked every time at the beginning of the labor process.

Branded tires from manufacturers are made in such a way that their borders coincide with the line along which the sawing takes place. Branded products are glued with a special tape, it prevents damage to the soft material. All these little things are convenient and necessary. This tire delivers performance, precision and comfort.

There are also disadvantages in such products: a brand tire may not always correspond to production tasks.

If the tool has to be used from time to time, then the purchase of an expensive tire is optional. The best option is to make a tire yourself. In terms of quality and functionality, such guides are often not inferior to the best world analogues.

To make a homemade tire, you need to take some durable material as a basis, they may turn out to be:

• corner;
• trim pipe;
• metal guide;
• laminate.

The material should not deform under the influence of excess moisture or temperature drops.

Guide drawings can be found on the Internet. Any sample you like is easy to bring to mind, adjusting it to the features of this equipment. In this case, it is important to comply with all sizes. Hand-held circular saws are often made with comfortable handles, which improves the quality of work and makes work much easier.

Materials that will be required to make a universal tire:

• plywood or chipboard;
• epoxy adhesive;
• self-tapping screws.

Of the tools you will need:

• clamps;
• turbine;
• ruler protractor;
• fine sandpaper;
• marker.

It is manufactured in the form of a rail miter box. The following items are required:

• building rule (2 meters);
• clamps;
• propylene fragments;
• corner or profile made of aluminum;
• wood bars 12 mm;
• chipboard plates;
• laminate.

Elements needed:

• metal corners of the same parameters;
• strong wooden base (chipboard sheet, board up to 3 cm thick);
• bolts and nuts.

The markup is being prepared, the places of the future attachment should be indicated. The immersion board must move freely parallel to the guide elements, the disc must not be too high.

To make such a node, you need the following elements:

• building rule (1.5-2 meters), which is used for plastering walls;
• clamps (their number depends on the attachment points);
• guides, which are made from the rule, clips and polypropylene elements.

The creation algorithm is as follows:

• handles are removed from the rule (if present);
• adapters are cut from dense PVC material, they should be slightly larger than the depth of the groove of the rule itself;
• the made structure is attached to a wooden bar.

To make a tire from an aluminum profile, you will need the following elements:

• profile "P";
• fastening fittings;
• sheet plywood (you can take waste).

And you will also need a tool:

• drill;
• wrenches;
• ruler or tape measure.

To create such a structure, two bars are used, the sizes of which are different. And you can also use a chipboard for these purposes. All wooden elements are fastened with self-tapping screws. The protruding parts are neatly cut off. Such an uncomplicated mechanism can also provide a perfect cut.

In this case, the small profile is installed in a large profile. The created structure is attached to the base of the circular saw. Such an installation provides the ability to move exactly along a predetermined line. The edge at the base must be perfectly flat to ensure a quality cut. The profiles form rails, which significantly reduces the amount of effort required to operate the unit. The smaller profile should not have gaps with the larger profile, but there should be free movement.

This material is cheap, it is not difficult to buy it, it is quite technological. The laminate is cut into two identical strips. One of them will be the main one, the second one will be auxiliary. All edges are ground and rounded. Using self-tapping screws, the material is attached to the base.

It is recommended to extend the tire as far as possible to ensure comfortable operation. With the help of a grinder, excess material on the guides is removed.

You will learn how to make a homemade circular saw guide rail in the video below.