I need to cut out a square out of a plank of wood. My only tool is a jigsaw.
How do i get it straight at the end?

Do i just cut multiple slices and then use a flat screw driver to scratch away the remaining? Unfortunately i don't have any wood cutting tools.

Drill 4 holes at each corner. Take 2 clamps and clamp a metal ruler along the border of your cut between the 2 holes. Repeat 3 more times. Voila!

I don't tell trade secrets

If you don't have a drill, keep making close parrallel cuts until you clear a section wide enough to accomodate the blade for the cut on top.

A jigsaw with a decent blade will go around pretty tight corners. Just cut it out with rounded corners first, then go back and touch up the corners.

Straight cuts like you have done will make things easier.

Thanks for the replies everyone! Wil rep each of you. Appreciate it.

If only a jigsaw then cut an x then cut the sides. Then take out the last triangle. I'd just make a couple small cuts in the corner first, enough to turn the blade. Jigsaw blades are more flexible than you'd think. You can do the way you are talking about too, which I'd do if I only had a skillsaw but use the blade back and forth at the end like a grinding wheel.

Also, tape.


Inb4 splinters.

Cut from corner to corner bottom left to top right etc. Then cut out the obvious triangles done.

This is what I would suggest

You need to know what kind of wood you’re working with first. Each one is a bit different but you need to feel the grain, gently stroke it, and after about ten minutes it should reveal itself to you if you haven’t done so already.

Once that’s established, you’ll need a few more things...your jigsaw alone isn’t going to cut it (pun intended). First I’d recommend getting a decent pair of bolt cutters. Don’t cheap out...you’ll use them for other things. Then I’d also get 10 grit sandpaper, but make sure it’s gluten free or it’ll leave residue all over your wood. An optional but worthwhile investment for this project is also a 220 mig welder...preferably Lincoln brand.

Once you’ve gathered all of this, you first need to take the piece of wood and mark out what you’re cutting. You want to measure it once because you can always cut it twice if you need to. Once you have it drawn out, take it outside and put it in your car. Then I would deliver the artifact to a professional tradie, tell him where you went wrong in life, and then proceed to beg him to do this task for you. Be sure to stay after the credits for the woodsman moggining