Most portable circular saws come with a rip fence that gives an accurate cut, but having one attached to your saw can be very inconvenient. Usually, you are switching back and forth between crosscutting and ripping, so you end up ripping freehand. The problem is how to make a true, straight rip.
As long as you have a saw with a foot that extends completely around the blade, you can use the fingers on your left hand (if you are sawing with your right) as an accurate rip guide. Hold the foot plate firmly at the front, allowing your fingers to extend below the plate enough to provide a pressure guide against the wood.
If your reaction is “that’s dangerous,” study the situation with the saw unplugged. You have a solid two-handed grip on the saw, and your fingers are well clear of the blade. If you also loop the cord around the thumb of the hand that’s acting as the fence, you’ll know if the cord catches on something before the saw is pulled off the cut.
—Kendall Gifford, Putney, VT
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding magazine
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Is Kendall's nickname "lefty"?
Have used this method for years with great results and still have have all my finger tips.
If you're concerned for your fingers, just clamp vise-grip style pliers on the front of the sole plate in place of your finger. Takes a bit longer, but is arguably safer. (Suggested in another tip- not original with me.)
Great tip! My fingers won't ever be that close to the blade while the saw is running, but sure I'll clamp a tool there any day.
I have done it as shown with my hand (it's safe) and with ViceGrips for years. I would only add that wearing gloves will make it a whole lot less painful. (Sherman Homan 061222)