How to Make and use a Rip Guide for your Circular Saw

A rip guide is used to cut accurate and straight cuts using a circular saw.

A simple rip guide can be made using a scrap ripping leftover from a paneling job or ¼” plywood. You will need at least one edge that is straight or a factory edge. The guide is made using two pieces. The base piece needs to be about 12” wide and the top piece with the factory or straight edge should be about 6”.


Start by laminating the two pieces together lengthwise with the out side long edges directly on top of each other. Install the straight edge on the top with the straight side on the side of the bottom that reveal. Use glue and short staples or brads that don’t completely penetrate the two pieces. Allow the glue to set before continuing.

After the glue has se,t clamp the guide to a work bench or suitable support. The clamps need to be on the side with the two layers and as close to the edge as possible. Rip the lower edge of the guide using the same saw that will be used while using this guide. Be sure to keep the base plate of the saw tight against the factory or straight edge of the guide. I recommend using a new high quality blade in the saw and using that blade anytime you use the guide. This step will cut the guide exactly where the saw will cut in the future.

To use this guide, mark the work piece at both ends. Clamp the guide on the marks. Keep in mind which side of the work piece that you are keeping or you will cut the piece short by the width of the kerf.

Guides like this can be made to use with routers, however they are tool specific. If you make one for a router it needs to be made for that particular router and what ever cutter that will be used in that router. It works great with a plunge router to make flutes in columns.