When remodeling or building additions, it is often necessary to cut existing clapboard siding along a vertical line. Problem is, the saw’s shoe wants to hang up on the protruding lower edges of the clapboards, which in turn makes the blade dip into the sheathing underneath it. To ensure a cut of even depth, I tack a 3/4-in. thick base strip to the siding, as shown in the drawing. Then I set the saw to cut a depth equal to the thickness of the base strip plus that of the siding. As the saw’s foot rides on the base strip during the cut, a constant depth is maintained. To make the cut even more accurate, you can tack a guide for the side of the saw’s shoe to the base strip.
Loran Smith, Dover, NH
