I finally found a carpenter in Phoenix who showed me why my circular saw cuts were always off

Been framing decks for about 3 years now on the side. Always thought I just had bad eyes or shaky hands. Last Thursday this old guy Paul came by to check my work on a job near 35th Ave. He watched me cut one board, sighed, and asked to see my saw. Turns out the shoe was a full 2 degrees out of square. I never even knew you could adjust those. Now I gotta re-cut half the joists on this thing. Has anyone else discovered a tool adjustment they missed for years?

2 comments

2 Comments

spencerm461mo ago

Drove myself crazy for two years thinking I was just bad at cutting straight lines. Turned out my miter saw was off by a solid 3 degrees from the factory. I was out there measuring twice and still cutting wrong every time. Felt like a dummy when I realized there was a little screw to adjust it. Ever check your speed square too? Found out mine was warped from sitting in a hot truck.

tarag281mo ago

Man, @spencerm46 you nailed it with the speed square thing. I had one that was slightly bent from being tossed in the bed of my truck for a season, and it threw off every rafter angle I cut. I wasted a whole weekend wondering why none of my birdsmouth cuts lined up right. Tbh, that little adjustment screw on the miter saw is too easy to overlook. I'd bet half the guys out there have the same problem and just blame their hands.