Apparatus for guiding a portable power-saw

Abstract

The invention provides a method of guiding a portable power-saw across a workpiece being sawn. Apparatus for use in this method comprises a guide member which has a substantially flat surface which may be placed on the flat surface of the workpiece. The guide member has a straight edge and located on the flat surface of the guide member is a rod-holder which is orientated at a right angle or any other desired angle to the straight edge. A rod of material such as wood or plastic is inserted in the rod holder so that the rod extends therefrom for a few inches. The power-saw is then run along the straight edge of the guide member, with the sole plate of the saw maintained in snug contact therewith, until the rod is severed. Then the distance from the severed end of the rod to the straight edge is exactly the same as the distance between the sole plate edge and the saw blade. The guide member is then transferred to the workpiece and the rod end is aligned with the line of cut to be made, with the straight edge of the guide member parallel thereto. By moving the saw across the workpiece -- with the guide member positioned as above and with the sole plate of the saw maintained in contact with the straight edge of the guide member -- the saw will automatically follow the line of cut. This technique eliminates the unstable method of guiding the saw solely by hand and also obviates the need for relatively unstable or complex devices as have been previously used for the present purpose.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.