How to use a compass saw

Before you begin

Secure your material

You may find it helpful to secure the material you want to cut in a clamp. This will prevent it from moving around while you are working.

Mark and scribe your material

For accurate results, you should mark out in pencil the lines you want to cut and then run a scribing knife along them.

The saw teeth will sit in the thin indentation made by the knife, which will help to guide the blade when you make your first cut.

Create a starting edge

If you are cutting shapes on the interior of a material, you will need to pre-drill a hole to give yourself an edge from which to start sawing.

Should you push or pull?

On most compass saws, the teeth point away from the handle, meaning that the saw cuts on the push stroke.

If the saw cuts on the push stroke, you should only apply pressure to the saw when pushing it through the material, and ease off the pressure when pulling the saw back.

Starting your cut

Step 1 – Rest blade against material

Hold the blade against the work surface.

Step 2 – Pull saw towards you

Pull the saw back towards you, applying very little downward pressure, in one long, slow stroke. Although the blade cuts on the push stroke, pulling it towards you for the first cut makes it easier to achieve a straight line.

The first cut can be difficult and the blade may jump around if you apply too much pressure.

Practice makes perfect

If you’re not an experienced hand saw user, getting a feel for the amount of force needed can take a bit of practise, but don’t be put off.

Once the first cut is made, you will find that sawing becomes much easier.

If you mess up a cut, don’t throw a tantrum – Try, try, try again!

Speed things up

Once the first cut is established, the saw will begin to guide itself, and you can increase the  sawing speed until you have a steady  rhythm.