Precision cuts with a circular saw are easy to make but to cut large blocks of wood, you need to be careful. Otherwise, it can ruin the quality of your cut.
So, how do you cut large pieces of wood? In today’s post, we will explain how to cut a 6×6 piece of wood with a circular saw.
Quick Summary
We’ll go over the following topics in this post:
- Guide to cut a 6×6 with a circular saw
- Safety tips
- Frequently asked questions
Without further ado, let’s get you started.
Guide to Cut a 6x6 Wood Piece with a Circular Saw
There are many hardware tools you can use for a 6×6 cut. However, a circular saw is highly convenient for this task because of its ability to move around easily.
Even though there are about 7-½ inches of blade to work with, you can only cut 4-½ inches of a 6×6 wood piece at one time.
Why can’t I make a 6-inch cut in one go?
It is impossible to get a 6-inch cut in one go because of the attachments around the circular saw. Mainly, the motor gets in the way if you go beyond the 4-½ inch mark.
So, how do you get around it? At first, it might seem like a difficult task but you can follow the steps given below to get it done in no time.
Here are the steps:
Step#1: Mark Your Wood Piece
The first step is to mark your wood piece with a carpenter’s pencil or marker. Draw a clear line on the side you want to cut.
But that’s not all, you need to extend this line on all 4 sides of the wood piece. Make sure that the lines are wide and clear.
Step#2: Clear Your Work Space
The next thing you need to do is clear out the workspace for the piece of wood. Make sure that you choose a strong and flat surface for the task.
It is important to do so because such a large block of wood can create a lot of vibrations. There is a potential risk that your cut won’t be precise due to these vibrations.
How can I reduce vibrations?
An easy way to greatly decrease the vibrations is through a rubber mat. You can use any rubber mat but it must be at least ½-inches thick.
Rubber is a good material for this purpose because it is extremely lightweight and has built-in vibration absorption capabilities.
Step#3: Make the Cut
After your station is all set up, it is time to cut the wood piece. Start from one side and cut all the way down. You’ll be able to reach the 4-½ inch mark easily.
Bring the saw back up and clear the wood piece of sawdust. Use the saw again on the same spot to smooth it out.
Should I do this for other sides as well?
Repeat the process for each side and you will be able to cut 4-½ inches on all 4 sides. However, there are still about 1-½ inches left to cut.
For this purpose, use your hand saw to cut the last 1-½ inches. You can either cut from one side or make small cuts on all sides to remove the excess piece.
Step#4: Final Adjustments
The last step is to smooth out your cut. You can use sandpaper or a jigsaw for this purpose.
We suggest that you use sandpaper because it is easy to work with. A jigsaw can do the task in half the time but it requires a lot of precision.
What sort of sandpaper should I use?
Mainly, you’ll require two different grit sandpaper for this. For initial sanding, use 40-60 grits sandpaper. For smoothness, you can use 8-120 grit sandpaper.
There you go. This is all the information you need to cut a 6×6 piece of wood with a circular saw. Let’s check out some tools you need to make this sort of cut.
Tools You Need
The tools we are about to mention aren’t necessary besides the circular saw. However, you can use them to greatly reduce the work time.
Let’s take a look:
- 12-inch circular saw
- Carbide-tipped steel blade
- Handsaw
- Clamps
- Pencil/Maker
Besides that, you will also need some safety gear to keep yourself safe from splinters and sawdust.
- Hardened gloves
- Safety goggles
- Face mask
- Safety helmet
- Earbuds
Important Things to Keep in Mind
Circulars saws are quite easy to work with but there are some tips you can use to further streamline your task at hand.
Let’s check them out:
- Always use a flat surface for large pieces of wood. Even a slight jerk from the saw or unwanted vibrations can mess up the entire block of wood.
- Clean your blade before you start the task at hand. Sometimes, sawdust from the previous cut can interfere with the precision.
- Wear protective gloves at all times. It is quite easy to hurt yourself with splinters especially when you work with a high-RPM circular saw.
- Always use your saw in a slow and linear motion. If you try to go fast, the edge of the wood piece will have a lot of splinters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Now, let’s take a look at some commonly asked questions from around the web.
What is the optimal RPM for circular saws?
The RPM is a direct indicator of a saw’s power and ability to cut. For circular saws, you should go for higher RPMs for better cuts. The optimal range is between 2700-5000 RPMs.
Should I oil my circular saw?
In most cases, a circular saw doesn’t require oiling. The only place you should clean and oil is the saw blade washer. Frequent cleaning will keep your saw in good shape.
Can I mount my circular saw on a table?
The main advantage a circular saw has on other saw tools is its mobility. However, you can mount it on your table with the help of clamps for clean and stable cuts.
Wrapping Things Up…
With this, we come to the finish line of our article on how to cut a 6×6 wood piece with a circular saw. We hope this information proves to be beneficial for you.
Circular saws can cut all sorts of sizes whether it is a small wooden plank or a large block. All you have to do is follow the steps in the right order and your cut will be done in no time. Moreover, you don’t need additional tools to cut.
Do let us know what type of tools you use for large wooden blocks.
Tools Advisor Pro has more informatio about circular saws.