Cutting the end boards to length with circular saw

[oohsam]

Hey guys
Im about to cut the end of the deck with a ciruclar saw so the boards are all nice and straight.
Im having some trouble.
I dont like using a chalk line coz I find that my hand is not that steady and the line comes out not so straight.

I was told to nail a straight peice of wood to the decking and that way the side of the saw could rest on it and use it as a guide, and when I cut it will always be straight. but im having some trouble getting the measurements right...
I cant meausre from the ends of the deck coz the boards are all different lenghts, and I have no where else to measure from?!

Not sure how to do this. can someone help?

[Gaza]

need to meaure from your blade to the back of the metal base plate on the saw.

[oohsam]

Yep, I've got that, but I cant get to the last joist to measure from there coz none of the boards are cut to size? Do u see my issue?

[mugwoody]

Hi Oosam,

As long as your joists are square with the line you want cut just project a line up from the joist face and mark you line or place your timber liner-upper in the appropriate position to give you the cut. Measure from the shoe of the circ saw to the blade edge for the offset.
Make sure you cut in the right direction for the offset cos the shoe is not even both sides of the blade.

Peter
Mugwoody

[Gaza]

measure of your nails cause the joist should be stright and the nails should be in the center of the joists.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Surely you left gaps between your boards and can see the joist?

To be accurate you can do as Peter suggests by dropping a square between the boards, sliding it up against the joist face and flat on top of the deck, to transfer the joist position onto the decking with a bit of chalk. Repeat this in a few places along the deck and you'll have a reference line.

If you want a more permanent reference (something that'll last days, rather than until the first rain or kids with drinks ) you can do the above and then measure back to the middle of the joist so you can drive a screw into it between the boards. I use one screw at each end, leaving them slightly proud so I can run a string line between 'em. Simply screw them down flush at the end of the day so no-one has a "bare-foot accident," and back 'em out again at the start of the next working day. (Oh... and don't forget to remove them altogether once you've finished. )

You can do as Gaza suggests and measure off the nails/screws, but I'd recommend saving that as a last resort. I've seen all too many decks where the nails form meandering lines... and working out the "average line" doesn't guarantee you're finding the centre of the joist at any given location.

[oohsam]

Ok, I've just done it all. Didnt take long once I knew where to measure from, once I used the square between the boards...
Thanks guys.

[billbeee]

Hi oohsam,
last time I did this I actually used a jigsaw, with a nice sharp blade and still running along a straightedge clamped to the boards.
A few less splinters and spelches than with the circular saw.
Also easier when passing uprights.
Could be different if you have a razor sharp circular blade though.
Cheers
Bill

[oohsam]

Yeah i was considering the jig saw.....
I found a newish blade in my garage with lots of teeth on it..no splitners...well maybe just a few but only I can notice it...

[brynk]

gday oohsam

look forward to seeing some photos of the finished product! dont forget to seal the cut ends of the decking board with decking oil or similar so you don't get lift &/ twist!

r's brynk

[oohsam]

Thanks brynk, check out my other thread "deck building has begun" for updates on pics.
I forgot to seal the ends, I'll run out there now and smear some on....