No-Mar Circular Saw
Use tape to covered the little scratches and dings that add up over time.
Once I saw an old-timer reach for a roll of painter’s tape when he had to cut the bottom off a door. As shown in the drawing, he ran the tape lengthwise to cover the entire base of the saw. The tape covered the little scratches and dings that add up over time, protecting the door from being marred. If my saw were dedicated to rough carpentry, I wouldn’t need this trick, but for finish carpentry work, the taped base works great.
— Roberto Roman, Gualala, Calif.
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #269
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View Comments
Alternatively, I sometimes put the tape on the door.
@Cornelius99,
If you're only doing one, it doesn't make much difference, but after that, taping the saw may make more sense.
OTOH, using a shooting board and putting the tape on the cutting line can reduce splintering.