Cutting wood in a straight line is important in woodworking and home repair projects. Learning the techniques to cut wood in a straight line are not difficult, although you must be careful to control the saw in order to cut the wood in a straight line. This method works with any saw that allows you to see the wood ahead of the blade, such as a table saw or handheld circular saw.
Measure each end of the wood with a tape measure. Mark the places to be cut with a pencil.
Have someone hold one end of the chalk line at the pencil mark. Pull the chalk line toward the mark on the opposite end of the wood.
Hold the chalk line on both marks, and lift the line. Drop it back down, snapping it against the wood. This should leave a visible chalk line along the length of the wood.
Reel the chalk line back into the box using the wheel on the side.
Line the saw up on the chalk line. Turn the saw on, or begin sawing (if the saw is manual).
Cut along the mark left by the chalk line, carefully holding the wood in place.