1: Examine the saw.
2: Select suitable support for timber to be cut.
3: Grasp the saw.
4: Saw the timber.

1: Examine the saw.

	(a)	Select suitable type. If to be used for cutting across the grain, a saw having five to six teeth to the inch is suitable. If to be used for ripping (cutting along the grain), four teeth to the inch is usual for soft woods with more teeth to the inch for harder woods.
	(b)	Check blade is not buckled and that teeth are correctly set and sharp.

2: Select suitable support for timber to be cut.

	(a)	Raise timber and place with position of cut overhanging the edge on any suitable support or supports.
	(b)	Support should be low enough to permit the left knee to be placed on the timber but sufficiently high to allow the saw to travel the full length of the blade without fouling the ground.

3: Grasp the saw.

	(a)	Grasp the handle with three fingers through the hole provided and the forefinger extended along the handle in the direction of the blade. This grip is used to control the saw and ensure greater accuracy when cutting along a guide line.
	(b)	Hold firmly without strain.

4: Saw the timber.

NOTES: (i) Do not try to saw too quickly. Steady long even strokes make full use of the saw with the minimum of energy. (ii) When ripping a long board, the saw cut frequently closes gripping the saw blade. This difficulty may be overcome by following up the saw with a narrow wedge or screwdriver blade inserted in the cut. Remove wedge before finishing cut to prevent wood splitting. GENERAL Note: When using saw with the left hand, body positions stated should be reversed.

	(a)	Place left knee on timber where supported to hold it steady, right leg in a comfortable position and the head and right shoulder over the line of the cut. Hold saw in right hand.
	(b)	Position saw on outer edge of timber to be cut and on waste side of cutting line.
	(c)	Grip timber with left hand close to cutting line with thumb against the saw blade.
	(d)	Draw saw upwards two or three times to make a start using left thumb knuckle as a guide for the blade. Do not attempt to start on a downward stroke as the saw is liable to jump and damage the left hand.
	(e)	Move thumb away from blade and commence sawing with light strokes.
	(f)	Keep blade upright in the cut. Lengthen stroke and increase pressure on the downward movement until an even swinging motion is obtained, using the full length of the blade.
	(g)	Finish cut cleanly. Either turn timber over and finish cut or move left hand over to support waste and finish with light strokes.