Toolbox: Handsaw Safety

Now the first thing you want to do is always clamp your wood down on the surface very tightly. After you take care of that, mark it where you need to cut it. What I usually do is place the middle of the saw blade next to the line because I'm gonna cut and leave just a small fraction of the line there. I push the tip of my thumb against the blade and use it as a guide. Begin with short strokes; just bring it back a couple of times to get in the groove. It may take three or four times. Once you get in the groove, just go with the flow. Always make sure that you move your thumb away from the blade, and use your hand as extra support for the workpiece. Always watch your line and when you get close to the end, go slow. Let it drop off; check out your cut.

Now if you have to make short quick cuts--if you're cutting molding or baseboard or trim--use a backsaw, which is basically a crosscut saw with a reinforced spline . Start out with short strokes 'til you get going real good, and then use long strokes --and you'll get a nice smooth cut every time.