Don't Try This DANGEROUS CUTTING TECHNIQUE! (Here's How To PLUNGE CUT W/ Circular Saw Instead!)
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Don't Try This DANGEROUS CUTTING TECHNIQUE! (Here's How To PLUNGE CUT W/ Circular Saw Instead!)
I'm focusing on controversial cutting techniques this year, and one circular saw method in particular is very worrisome. It's called LOOSE PLATE CUTTING. This short video will explain what it is, why it's dangerous, and how to avoid it by using proper plunge-cutting techniques!
A PLUNGE CUT is a cut that starts in the field of the board, rather than at the edge.
Loose Plate Cutting is a technique of cutting with the circular saw where the operator loosens the sole plate, and uses the free-swinging action of the plate to make a plunge cut into a piece of wood.
This is especially dangerous because the sole plate is a crucial safety feature on the circular saw (sometimes called a skilsaw or skill saw). It helps maintain stability, and also CONTROL DEPTH.
Loose plate cutting is dangerous because the loose sole plate wants to slide around, and it's very hard to control depth as you sink the circular saw blade.
DON'T USE IT! Instead, set your sole plate depth, and make plunge cuts the right way...
Use the front of the sole plate as a pivot point for the rest of the saw. Lift the blade guard lever, and establish that the blade is positioned at your cut line as much as possible.
DON'T have the circular saw blade in contact with the wood surface when you pull the trigger. Instead, make sure it is slightly above the wood surface, then pull the trigger. Let the saw spin all the way up.
Slowly lever the saw down into the material, sighting down the wall of the blade to make sure it is indeed cutting at your marked line. Lower until the sole plate is sitting flush on the wood surface, then begin driving the cut forward like normal. Cut until you reach a stop-mark, release the trigger, let the saw spin down, and remove the blade from the material.
That's the right way to make a circular saw plunge cut.
Thanks for watching!
The Honest Carpenter
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This is such a great channel... practical, no gimmicks, and I especially appreciate the fact safety is always there... sometimes front and center as with this video, or in the background of other videos... but never too far away.
Thank you, Paul! It’s always been one of my top priorities, and always will be 🙂
totally agree, straight to the point, helping to save our fingers, super clear explantations and demonstrations → total gold
@@TheHonestCarpenter hey, just letting you know, there’s someone pretending to be you spamming your channel. They’ve sent several “you’ve won,” messages
Totally agree. Also, he's got the best theme music on TH-cam.
As a DIYer, I've done the loose plate method once. It worked, but something about it didn't seem right to me. I figured out the better method on my own. I'm glad you're putting this kinda info out there.
Yep, there’s something just insecure-feeling about it Bruce! One of those things you can’t pinpoint until a really bad kick happens when you’re right in the middle of a cut 😬
Grateful for your channel-especially for the videos regarding safe techniques. Safety is often neglected in this line of work. We get confident using our shortcuts when accidents don't occur. Gives us a false sense of security, and we stop being careful. As soon as that happens, injury becomes a matter of 'when' rather than 'if'. Sure, shortcuts potentially save time, but they can also take things that time won't give us back.
Looking forward to the next one.
And for someone like me that doesn't use a circ saw regularly, knowing the safe way to do things is critical. I don't want to 'learn the hard way'. lol
I'm not exaggerating when I say this but yesterday I had to do several plunge cuts into plywood and I used the exact method you described. Measure the depth. Pivot on the plate. Go slow. Lift your cut material off the surface.
Everything worked perfectly.
First and only time I’ve ever seen this technique is on another TH-cam channel. I started as an apprentice in 1972. Id never seen this and it really made me think. The carpenter doing it was very comfortable with the technique and obviously had been doing it for years. I tried it but did not like it. I don’t frame so much now anyway I build cabinets and do finish work. Love your channel.
Thank you, Bob! That’s how I felt about it when I first tried it-just didn’t feel quite right. I appreciate you watching and writing in!
I just went out and got the Makita plunging track saw a couple of years ago. My favorite tool in the shop by far.
Thank you for your insight. I must say that I don’t perform a lot of this type of work but am a diy type of guy and always feel more confident after having watched your videos. Appreciate the safety
I have never done loose plate cutting and it never occurred to me to even attempt it. I plunge cut the safe way that you mentioned. Thanks for the tips. I love this channel.
Love your safety tips. Of course my heart is always in my throat when you demonstrate what not to do. Can't even imagine the number of DIYers who have been hurt with by improper use of cutting tools. I realize now that I was doing a bunch of unsafe things with my table saw. I'm so grateful I didn't irreparably harm myself before I found out how to execute a proper cut.
Thank you, Jonesy! I’m really glad the tips are helpful-and that you’ve remained safe this far. Keep it up in 2023!
If you run you cut lines out beyond the corners of your cutout it’s easier to see where to stop cutting. Sometimes after making a the initial cuts I lower the blade to get closer to the corners after making sure there is clearance. Haven’t tried the loose shoe trick but you definitely want the toe of the shoe registered on the material.
Excellent advice as always. I've seen loose plate plunge cuts done but would never try it myself. Thankfully I have a track saw which is perfect for plunge cuts because it's made for it. Love your channel 👏👏
Thank you, JJ!
Practical, well thought out, and right to the point. Every...single...time. Love your channel.
Thank you, Jonathan!
In 1976 I joined the Carpenters Union and began framing tract homes in So Cal. Back then everyone used the Skillsaw 77 with guard held up with a 16d nail. No hard hats. In the summer we all wore shorts and tennis shoes. No handrails. We walked the tops of the walls for rolling joists and setting beams and rafters. I did this for 14 years. After that I was a Licensed Contractor until 2013. I am very glad to see that today all that has changed.
I’ve seen a LOT of that same stuff myself, Joe. I too am glad safety is getting a bit more of a look these days!
I agree with the comments about your channel being safety considerations foremost and appreciate learning from you. Great video Ethan.
You have provided us with very good explanations and guidance, and we thank you for such training.
I have used a circular saw, both casually and professionally, for over 30 years; often on sheet goods and occasionally requiring a plunge cut. I have never heard of the loose plate method and certainly would never attempt it. The way you show has always worked for me.
Beginner here. Helpful video. I have a plywood floor down in my minivan and want to cut access holes to underfloor storage but keep the "lids" intact. Was trying to figure out how to get started. Plunge cut was recommended to me but I couldn't visualize it. Now I can.
Great job! As a professional carpenter, I was always taught never to use the loose plate cutting method as an apprentice. The master that taught me told me to think of the circular saw as a portable table saw. You never would use a table saw with a loose table...
Perfect analogy.
Good advice! I use your method exactly. I've never felt unsafe making a plunge cut.
It’s very stable with the right technique 😄
I've never seen or will use the loose plate plunge. I do mine like you do, line up my front plate notch & my blade (adjusting my kerf with my line) then start the blade. I find plunge cuts are easier with my Skil worm drive than my M18 sidewinder. Another great video.
I found plunges easier with the skil worm too until I started clamping the blade guard open. Something I would strongly advise against any diyer doing and any pro making a habit of it. I will never clamp a worm drive open and probably not even a corded sidewinder. My M18 fuel though... That thing is so fucking smooth and has never kicked on me.
This saw th-cam.com/users/postUgkx84IcU5pbZd1Qrz8u4-YRLmJax7kdRi7B comes in handy in many ways. When I had a small (dead) tree fall I started the process of disposal by using this saw and cutting off the small branches. Then slowly work on the small trunk with undercutting and letting it fall down. With many trees on acres of land paying for a tree service can be expensive. It also is nice in that it can be used in hard to get areas like along my creek. It's also safer and quieter than a chainsaw. It obviously can't cut down massive trees but it does work fine for small ones or brush. And of course since I already own a Black
I've used the tilt and drop method for almost 30 yrs for cutting out windows, medicine cabinets, vents for a roof, etc. It's the only method I use, even when I started carpentry this method just seemed logical. It is a good practice to use and safer, I've seen other people try the other two ways where the saw does kick back or tweeks the blade. Great video.
I've been a carpenter for 35+years and never even heard of anyone doing loose plate cutting. I plunge cut exactly as you showed in this video. Good job! PS: if money is no object...buy a Festool circular saw... it does plunge cutting with ease.
absolutely correct!!!
plunge cutting with ease into wallet! sorry, could not help myself
@@sergeyn.syritsyn6748😂😅🤣😭exactly
As a DIYer I have done quite a few plunge cuts over the years. I always used the correct method you showed because that is how I instinctively did it. Never even thought about other methods cause it worked well for me.
I have never heard or even considered this loose plate technique, I guess that is a good thing but always good to learn something new (even if it is something NOT to do). Keep up the good work on the channel and its content.
Totally agree, never heard of this either
It sounds to me like a solution to a non-existent problem. You can pivot on the front of a locked plate just fine, so why would you even bother to loosen it?
Another suggestion for alignment, Measure the distance from back of blade to front of sole plate. Draw a perpendicular line to each cut line at this distance from the back line. Line up the front of sole plate to this line when beginning the plunge cuts
Spot on advice! I'm a professional carpenter and remodeler, and I couldn't agree more with everything you said in regards to plunge cutting! Play it safe y'all, some things in life are worth the risk, playing games with circular saws isn't one of them!
I've learned that you can TRUST Ethan's channel for solid advice on carpentry and proper use of the tools.
I have used a skill saw more then most people and I completly agree with everything said in this video. Good advice.
I agree 100% - loose plate cutting is only for people who don't want their fingers any more
btw: I find a line perpendicular to the intended kerf, about where the toe of the sole plate would be, helps line up the cut. you don't have to line up with it perfectly but it helps
oh, and watch out where the rear of the blade is. it's easy to start too far back and make a mess of the corner
I hardly ever start a cut in the classic style when I'm cutting sheet material because it's so easy to have the edge tear out, making an ugly corner
Soooo.... the guy with 11 fingers tired of getting teased by the other woodworkers? ;^)
This is the only way I learned, never considered doing it any other way. Well done!
As a beginner woodworker I'm glad I did it like this from the start intuitively. It's kinda reassuring that there's some common sense in me. Thanks for this video, I'll have to check out your channel!
I have always done it the way you recommend here. Of course, that might be because I had not thought of the loose plate method.
I'm 71 and not a pro by any means. I've not done that many plunge cuts but the ones I've done have all been your way, I have never ever even thought about using a saw without everything being tightened down properly. A coworker used to chock the blade guard up on his saw and still did it even after setting the still spinning blade down on his thigh. Nasty gash, some people are just stubbornly ignorant.
I learned carpentry from trial and error so it’s always refreshing to hear the technical terminology. I often make plunge cuts but never without the bottom plate secure.
One way to help get the cut lined up is to put a reference line on the piece. Figure out about where you are going to start the cut, make a mark on the piece at the front of the sole plate, then mark a line 90 degrees to the cut line at that point. Then you have a reference line to put the sole plate on when you start the cut.
THANKS ETHAN,GREAT ADVICE FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL…ESPECIALLY NEW ONES 👍💚💚💚
Good video, I'm a 23 year pro and your advice is right on.
Loose plate is not only dangerous, You can damage expensive material. Exactly how I teach my guys to plunge cut.
Good to hear, Al!
Great video many thanks. For an amateur would it be worth screwing a fence to the floor before starting the cut?
Yes! There are some folks out there who are going to keep their fingers because of this video. Thanks Ethan.
I've been working in residential construction for over 10 years, I had never heard of this! Of course you set the plate depth, always! Any lower and you're wasting energy and material of whatever is below
Thanks for this! Was able to safely (and quickly) notch the back face of a vanity drawer to make clearance for a drain line using your technique.
Thank you, great video and well done for showing the controlled kick backs!!
I attempted plunge cut without knowing the proper technique 😱 and got a lot of kick back and wood damage. After watching this video and applying what I learned, plunge cut on point. Thanks honest carpenter!
Great channel and goood advice. Is there any reason you couldn't attach the saw to a guide rail that is clamped to the stock and then do a loose plate cut? Obviously making sure there is nothing beneath the stock? Thanks!
All really good advice! Retired carpenter here.
I've used loose plate plunging for years, it was certainly VERY uncomfortable (read, scary!) for a long time.
Your tutorial is thorough and accurate.
I still use the 'learner' way, as it is so much more stable. I could see that when you knew there would be kickback it was still horribly quick and unexpected
Keep well, and thanks for your video
Yep, I hate making the saw kick for these videos, don! But I see it as important to get it in camera so people can see how fast and nerve-wracking it is 😓
Great video - thanks. It made me think about a few times I've had to do this and yes, some of them ended in kickback and a messed up piece. I went out and tried something - clamping a wood baton at right angles to a cut line on a board, and bracing the sole plate against the corner between the baton and the board. It worked a treat to make the first cut and it lines the blade up exactly. Here's exactly what I did - 1 set the cut depth to be 1" below the board, 2 clamp the baton at right angles to the intended cut, 3 place the front of the saw sole plate into the corner between baton and board, 4 turn on the saw on and gently lower to make the plunge cut, 5 turn saw off and remove baton, 6 reduce the cut depth to 1/2" below the board, 7 with saw still off, drop the blade into the cut with the reduced depth giving enough blade clearance front and back to avoid kickback on startup, 8 complete the cut. This all takes a minute or two longer, but I got three perfect cuts out of three. I hope that helps somebody!
Great solution imho
Good video thanks. Need to discuss holding open the blade guard. Holding the guard-lever while you cut removes one hand from controlling the saw, not good. I understand wanting the blade guard to return as soon as you remove the saw from the wood. If we had an electro-magnet to hold the blade-guard open while cutting, it could drop automatically when the trigger is released.
Thanks for a great video Ethan. Plunge cutting is something as a noob DIYer, I avoid. At my skill level too much can go wrong.
It’s never a bad idea to err on the side of safety, John!
Great content. No nonsense and no fancy tools or trying to sell stuff thx a ton
I've done a cut like this one. But I didn't have any problems. Thanks for the tips on cutting it like this. It's very helpful. 😎👍
Hey Ethan, can you still use a circular saw blade with a broken tooth?
Very good advice.
I rate the dangers of a circular saw right up there with a table saw. But with a few precautions (such as what you just explained) Both saws can be relatively safe. Great video btw.
Table saws can be very good at launching missiles, but they'll never kick back and slam a spinning blade into you.
We can't thank you enough. So helpful. You are a master
I've never cut with a loose plate. Blade depth needs to be adjusted at some point for the best chances of getting a clean cut without binding and hacking my guts open, and it just makes more sense to make that adjustment when my eyes aren't focused on a spinning blade, as I was taught in trade school. Messing around with blade depth or any other adjustment while the blade's spinning just increases the risk. I take risks on site, sure, when it's absolutely necessary. Plunge cutting isn't a situation that requires sacrificing intelligence for convenience.
Great video. I really appreciate all the info you provide, and the clear and concise delivery.
Given the risks involved with plunge cutting using a circular saw, is there perhaps a safer tool for it? Maybe use a jigsaw? Something else?
skilsaw is safe to do a plunge cut with if you are comfortable with the tool and have some experience. If not, best to drill out the corners and use a jig saw. it will take more effort to keep a nice strait line over any distance though.
As a noob, I like my fingers and hands. Valuable tips. Thank you!
Never really saw the need to cut with the plate loose before and can't see what the advantage would be now. Tipping in works great; way more controlled and definitely more deliberate.
Great video, as always, Ethan
Thank you, Deutsch! It’s never made a ton of sense to me either, but some framers especially just seem to prefer it. It might be sliiiightly faster than setting up for a tip-in…🤔
if your plunging overhead, loose plate is seemingly more "safe"...
Thanks for the video. I learn more every time I watch a new one.
Thank you sir, of all the power saws I find the circular saw the most difficult to learn to use safely and effectively. I greatly appreciate all the tips and tricks you provide! And yes, as a noob I have not yet spent enough hours to develop the fine motor skills required to use this saw professionally, so my attempts at long straight cuts do get "squirrelly" haha
You’re welcome, Bruce! It’s the most dangerous saw, so it’s the one I cover most thoroughly 👍
@Bruce Le Smith find a good straight edge and, with it clamped down securely, run the plate of your saw along it to make long, straight cuts. I was nervous of it myself at first, but once I learned the dos and don’ts and had some practice, I became more confident. That’s not to say that you should ever get so confident that you stop following safety rules! I’m sure you’ll be running nice, straight cuts in no time. 🙂
Great stuff. Easily overlooked in your video is the bit where the work piece is clamped down. I have seen WAY to many sketchy things on job sites where guys have plywood on top of rickety horses or a small piece sitting on a drywall bucket and everything is skating around.
Doing plunge cuts are a recipe for disaster if you don't have a stable work piece AND total control of the saw.
Great and useful recommendations !
(Made some mistakes explained in the video...😮💨)
Thank you Sir !
Regards from Belgium.
Great video, when l plunge cut l clamp a piece of wood across the timber i'm cutting through so the plate has something to pivot against
Learned plunge cut decades ago. Never loosened base plates. Never had a problem. Always set the blade depth before cutting.
Excellent video! Anyone who works with wood or who want to work with wood should see this and then get trained on how to use a saw. Loose plate cutting is dangerous so I would avoid it
I have a circular saw that works with a guide rail. Would loose plate cutting be appropriate there? It seems safer in terms of the plate not moving around as compared to the method you outlined here. And because the guide rail will be aligned well with the blade, I won't need to make any corrections to the angle or the position. But on the other hand I'd still have to contend with the blade likely being deeper in the material than it needs to be. (And just to have said it: It's not a plunge saw.)
Great cannel with loads of good information.
Spinning-disc tools are sooooo exciting to use....tears and lacerations always a heartbeat away!
Great advice for DIYers.
I’ve only done a handful of plunge cuts with my circular saw, but I used the pivot method. I’d never have thought to loosen the plate - seems a bit risky! Reading the comments though, I guess I can see an occasional need for that method…but I’ll leave that to the pros! Thanks for another great video. 🙂
By the way, it seems (again, from other comments) that you have a collection of “JJ’s” on your channel. Just thought I’d mention that I’m close - our granddaughter calls me JoJo. 😊
I guess I did this "the safe way" all the time and I didn't even knew it but I must admit that I still get some kickback from time to time even with the fixed plate method.
Very informative video, as always. What would be your thoughts on this: I have ordered a DeWalt DWE576K with a guide rail. do you think it would be safe to use the loose plate technique when said plate is resting on the track, or would you still recommend the tilting method? It seems the tilting method might risk cutting into the track?
I always love right tool for the right job
We cut alluminium with a circular saw at my workplace up to 150mm and have plunge cut 50mm we clamp a straight edge on the material and use that for a fence. Up to 100mm we use a makita saw and the thicker stuff we use a festool saw that is massive but slow as it has some sort of thermal cutout and it stops and you have to wait. The makita saws are very good
I haven’t done loose plate plunging, but have had the plate loosen. Not great, but I usually have stuff clamped down when doing that. This gets way more important when doing a bevel plunge.
Cutting short hip rafters, same thing. Clamp it. It’s cheaper than hiring a guy to hold the other end.
I’m a DIY’er and have done plunge cuts, I have never thought to loosen the plate or just float the blade down. I love my hands and fingers.
You can also drill holes in the corners for that nice finish.
Concise and common sense advice s always, thanks The Honest Carpenter.
I have never "loose plate" plunge cut before in all my years of cutting. I was taught to adjust the plate to the depth of your material. Pretty much common sense if you ask me.
I have a question. Are circular saws even necessary for the average DIYer? Or should we instead put the money toward a track saw that can be used on or off the track (e.g. Festool, Kreg, Makita, and Powertec)? It just seems that a track saw can do most of the things a regular circular saw can do but a whole lot more (and more accurately), especially when we use them with parallel guide systems like TSO's using the 20", 30" and 50" track options which can essentially replace a table saw so long as the workflow isn't too heavy (which usually isn't a problem for DIYers).
Thank you for the video. Good warning and guidance as always. Appreciate it.
شكرااا يا مبدع .. انت حقا تنفع الناس بارك الله فيك 🥰🥰
Valuable information. I never try that plunge cut ...
I notice a worm drive saw in the background, wouldn't this plunge cut be easier with that saw as you would not have to constantly look over the saw to see the blade?
If you're gonna need a jigsaw to finish the corners of a circular saw plunge cut, you might as well make the entire cut using the jig saw. I think it's safer and easier to drill two holes in opposite corners and use a jig saw to make cuts away from the holes before cleaning up the two corners that have the drill holes with the jig saw. I used to hate my jig saw, but learned that using a short blade and cutting slow yields nice straight, square cuts.
I agree, that is exactly what I would do.
And a lot safer too.
Depending on the depth, you might just need a hand saw for the corners. Also, maybe use a circular saw for the initial cut, and then a jigsaw for the rest.
Over any sizeable run the jig saw always gonna have some waviness even with the steadiest of hands.
You Can never cut as straight with a jigsaw as with a circular Saw - unless you use some kind of guiding rig
HEY! What do you think about clamping down a piece of wood square to the cutline so you can rest the saw sole plate against it, reducing the number of degrees of freedom. ?!?!?!?
It’s always good to get a refresher thanks
Great advice, I’ve never needed to make a plunge cut with a loose shoe plate.
Good tips if you have to use a circular saw, but plunge (track) saws are not expensive these days (if you don't need a Festool!). I have both, as I like to choose the best tool for a task.
Window cutouts with this technique? I've heard to use a router, but this could work as well if you're cutting a new window out of OBS after you've framed the inside. Thoughts?
You could, Chris! Just set the blade to 1/2” and mark your corners. But a router works great too 👍
I've done a few plunge cuts before with pretty good results, but I never heard of loose plate plunging. Looks like an accident waiting to happen. Also do you go anywhere Western Blvd.? The news just said it will be Wednesday before that mess is cleaned up, maybe.
Always enjoy your your tips and techniques. Thank you for them
Thanks for this info. Makes total sense. I’ve always done this the risky way.
You do an especially good job on your presentation videos. Additionally, for a rather young man you seem especially well versed and level headed in all things carpentry. Congratulations and keep on keeping on.
Thank you, Mustang! I’ve gotten a lot of good guidance from many older tradespeople over the years, starting with my dad when I was a kid on job sites in the 90s 🙂
I always plunge cut but I never do it with a loose plate and have the blade only as deep as necessary. Also no plunge cuts for finish work unless I am using a track saw.
I've got that same saw and have a question about it. The sole plate looks like it could have been rectangular except someone has cut the rear left corner off. Is there a reason it is shaped like that?
One thing that you may have included was the reason why you don't ever run the saw BACK into the stock after the plunge. For anyone wondering, the blade will have a tendency to climb on top of the stock and kick back.
30 years running circular saws of all types, and I rarely if ever do a loose plate plunge cut. It really isn't necessary. I also use worm drive/hypoid saws almost exclusively over sidewinders, but that seems to be more of a personal preference.
As far as circular saws go I generally use either my M18 Fuel or an old Skil worm drive. The M18 I have has some computer chip and programming I guess and I've never had it kick back on me. With that saw, I will ignore the traditional and common sense safety rules for circular saws occasionally and am comfortable in doing so (I still make sure to think it through and acknowledge shit still could happen. Worm drives on the other hand... I don't go as far as clamping down what I'm cutting and holding the saw with two hands, but I don't get crazy by any means.
Really well done, thanks!
Thank you for these safety videos
Always great and safe hints. Thanks!