16k-zx81

I'm making birdhouses out of various types of wood such as whitewood, pine, and oak. I'm currently using a jigsaw to cut the wood. They're coming out fairly well, but I'm having trouble cutting very straight lines. I use a carpenter's square, clamp it to the wood, and cut with the saw along the square. Is there a better way to cut wood very straight? I was thinking a miter saw, but these pieces of wood are 1 x 10s, so I'd probably need a sliding miter saw. Bear in mind I have to do my woodworking inside, so I need something not too big. Any suggestions?

Beckers

I use a sliding miter box. They are 18 long and break down into 12.
I tried doing it on thecheap before it just didn't work well.

EricS

What about a jig saw or a skill saw with a fine cutting blade? You can buy bags to attach so the saw bust goes in there instead of on the floor. It doesnt all go in the bag but it helps.
A miter saw will work too but more expensive. Mine came with a bag but again it doesnt get all the bust.

BrianG

Your best way of cutting wood for your bird houses is with a table saw. They are available for less than $100.00 when on sale. You can set the miter gauge to cut angles, or set the rip fence to cut parallel pieces. They are very dusty though..

Table saws are also good for making long strips to be cut shorter later.

campasano

Draw a line on the wood with the square and cut it with a nice large hand saw. You will cut it plenty straight for a bird house.

blaynem

My favorite saw IS the jigsaw. I find that when I'm in too much of a hurry, my lines aren't straight.

Rather than the square, I mark the edges at equal distance from the end of the board, clamp the board, snap a line and use that for my cut.

Definitely a table or miter saw would be helpful; I prefer the jigsaw.

Just my thoughts

BigGreg

Carl has the right answer here, in wood shop way back when, we used the square, marked the line and held the handsaw right on top on the pencil line, moves the saw slowly back and forth until the teeth chewed up the line and then started apply more force to make the cut. Start slow, and keep the blade right on top of the pencil line.

You need a straight hand saw, get one with smaller teeth for a fine cut, and don't use so much force you flex the saw blade and warp/bend the blade.

Jig saws, table saws, etc are all nice if you have the room, or can go outside. Best saw I have bought is a compound miter saw, but it is only for shop use as it kicks out a lot of saw dust. But it did help me cut out out 6 birdhouses pretty quickly.

Dj4Resa

There are several ways to improve your work. For what your doing, one of those little portable table saws would do just fine. Without knowing what tools you have, its hard to give you a reasonable answer, other than buy some tools, for the job you want to do.

But in the mean time, try this, draw your line, cut on the outside of the line, do not cut on the line, then sand down to your line. and your pc will be nice and straight.