Follow this Method to Make a Perfect Plunge Cut With a Circular Saw

At first, you might think that you wouldn't ever have a need to make a plunge cut, but as your skills improve and you begin to take on more complex jobs, the need jumps up, and you're not prepared. For example, you might need to cut out a rectangle out of a piece of OSB, maybe for a window for that addition you're building. Well, here's the solution.

1.      Mark out the rectangle with either chalk or a pencil.

2.      Using your non-trigger hand, pull the blade guard back out of the way.

3.      Place just the toe of the sole plate on the material. The back of the saw should be off the material with the blade positioned just above it. As best as you can, position the saw so that as you lower the heel, the blade will be on your cut line and close to the perpendicular cut line.

4.      Hole the toe stationary, and pull the trigger. Slowly lower the blade onto the wood, let it make a slight test cut. Look to be sure that you're exactly lined up on your cut line. If not, make the necessary adjustment by moving either the toe or heel or both.

5.      After lining up your cut line, watch the back of the blade and see where it's going to come down relative to the spot where you want your cut to begin. If it looks like it's too far back, nude the saw forward a little bit. If it's too far ahead, life the heel of the saw and move it backwards.

6.      Now slowly lower the blade again, making another test touch to be sure you're still lined up on the cut line.

7.      When you're sure that everything is lined up, lower the saw until the sole plate is flat on the surface and the back of the blade barely cuts into the perpendicular line.

8.      If the base plate is now flat on the material and the saw is properly positioned, left, right and back, lower the blade guard and begin to push the saw forward as you normally would.

Caution: You will find that as you lower the saw blade into the wood, the blade will try to force the saw backwards. This is controllable, but you do have to exert some muscle to counter the backward force. If that isn't working, raise the heel of the saw, make the adjustment and start the plunge cut again. Don't ever, ever let the saw gain control and start going backwards by itself.