When I first got into woodworking, I quickly realized that almost every project relies on the same four basic cuts: rip cuts, crosscuts, miter cuts, and curve (or circle) cuts. Mastering these is like learning the ABCs of woodworking — once you know them, everything else becomes easier.
The good news? You don’t need a huge workshop full of expensive tools. With a table saw, circular saw, jigsaw, or bandsaw you can make all of these cuts. Add a few simple jigs — many of which you can build yourself — and the accuracy of your cuts goes way up. (If you’re new to jigs, check out my guide on what is a woodworking jig to see how they make life easier in the shop.)
In this guide, I’ll walk you through each cut, show you how I make them in my own shop, and explain where they’re most useful. If you’ve ever been confused about the difference between a miter and a bevel, you’ll also find my breakdown in miter vs bevel cuts helpful. By the end, you’ll know not just what each cut is, but also when and why to use it.
Table of Contents
- Basic Woodworking Cuts — Quick Comparison
- Rip Cuts
- What is a Rip Cut
- How to Make a Rip Cut
- Crosscuts
- What is a Crosscut
- How to Make a Crosscut
- Miter Cuts
- What is a Miter Cut
- How to Make a Miter Cut
- Circle (Curve) Cuts
- What is a Circle/Cut Cut
- How to Make a Circle/Cut Cut
- Beginner’s Guide to Tools and Jigs for Each Cut
- Common Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
4 Basic Woodworking Cuts — Quick Comparison
Here’s a fast overview of the four basic woodworking cuts. Use this table to see how each cut relates to the grain, which tools work best, and what each cut is commonly used for.
| Cut Type | Direction vs Grain | Primary Tools | Best For | Accuracy Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rip Cut | With the grain (lengthwise) | Table saw + rip fence, circular saw + straight-edge guide, bandsaw | Resizing boards, making strips, breaking down wide stock | Keep fence parallel to blade; use push sticks/blocks |
| Crosscut | Across the grain (widthwise) | Miter saw, table saw + miter gauge / crosscut sled, circular saw + square guide | Cutting boards to length, squaring parts | Use a crosscut sled or stop block for repeatability |
| Miter Cut | Across the face at an angle | Miter saw (table pivots), table saw + miter gauge / miter sled | Picture frames, trim, box corners | Make test cuts; aim for perfect pairs at 45° |
| Curve / Circle Cut | Curved (ignores straight grain lines) | Jigsaw, bandsaw, trim router + circle jig | Arcs, circles, cutouts, decorative shapes | Go slow; use a circle jig for perfect circles |
With the differences clear at a glance, let’s walk through each cut in more detail—how I set up the tool, the jigs I use, and where each cut shines in real projects.
Rip Cuts
A rip cut goes with the grain, lengthwise. This is the cut I use the most when preparing stock — whether I’m narrowing down boards for a project or breaking down large sheets of plywood.
My go-to method is using the table saw with the rip fence. It’s accurate and repeatable, and with the GRR-RIPPER push block (👉 my full review here), I can keep my hands safe while feeding even narrow strips through the blade. For large plywood sheets, I often switch to my circular saw paired with a homemade straight-edge guide. It’s much easier to handle sheet goods this way, and the guide keeps the cut perfectly straight.
💡 Pro Tips
Use a dedicated ripping blade (24–40T) for clean, efficient cuts.
A zero-clearance insert reduces tear-out.
Push blocks or push sticks are a must — they keep hands safely away from the blade.
Rip cuts are the bread and butter of furniture and jig building. Whether I’m preparing face-frame parts, ripping stock for tabletops, or resizing boards for a cutting board project, this cut shows up everywhere.
Crosscuts
A crosscut goes across the grain, shortening a board or squaring its ends. Along with rip cuts, it’s one of the two fundamental cuts you’ll use all the time.
My preferred way of making crosscuts is with a table saw and a crosscut sled — honestly, I consider this jig a must-have in any workshop. It guarantees dead-square cuts and makes repeatability effortless. I also built a simple crosscut fence, which is quicker to set up and perfect for general use. You can use a miter gauge, but for me, it’s the least accurate and least enjoyable option.
Here’s a quick look at the crosscut sled I built and use in almost every project:
For ad hoc jobs and shorter pieces, I like using my circular saw crosscut jig or even my jigsaw crosscut jig. Both are easy to build, save setup time, and get surprisingly accurate results. A bandsaw could also work, but I’ve never felt the need to add one to my shop — unless you’re cutting taller stock, you can get by without it.
💡 Pro Tips
Always use a sharp blade designed for crosscutting (more teeth = cleaner cut).
A stop block on the sled or fence helps with repeatable lengths.
Support long boards with outfeed or side support to prevent binding.
Crosscuts show up in nearly every woodworking project. Whether I’m trimming boards to size for a cutting board, squaring up stock before joinery, or breaking down lumber into manageable pieces, this cut is always part of the workflow.
Miter Cuts
A miter cut is any angled cut across the face of a board — most often 45°. I use them all the time when making picture frames. If you’ve ever been confused between a miter cut and a bevel cut, check out my detailed guide: Miter vs Bevel: Understanding the Differences.
For smaller frames and shorter stock, my go-to setup is the miter sled add-on for my table saw crosscut sled. It locks in at 45° and makes cutting pairs of identical miters quick and dead accurate. When I’m working on larger frames, I switch to a dedicated picture frame jig. It’s fixed at 45° and handles longer stock better.
Here’s a quick look at the miter sled addon I built:
If I need angles other than 45°, I like using my jointer sled (which also works as a taper jig) with an adjustable fence. It’s more versatile than the fixed jigs, though not as fast to set up. You can also use a standard miter gauge, but honestly, it’s my least favorite option — I find it less reliable and more finicky.
Other Saw Types
Yes, you can make miters with a circular saw or jigsaw and a square guide. But in my experience, they don’t deliver the precision you want for most woodworking projects. They’re fine for rougher construction jobs, but if you care about tight-fitting corners, stick with a sled or jig on the table saw.
💡 Pro Tips
Cut miters in pairs (left and right) for the best fit.
Always use a stop block for repeatability when making multiple identical cuts.
A sharp crosscut blade gives cleaner results and fewer gaps at the corner.
Miter cuts are essential for clean, professional-looking joinery. From picture frames to trim work, this cut comes up again and again, so having a reliable jig or sled for them is one of the best investments you can make in your workshop.
Curve (Circle) Cuts
Curves and circles open the door to more creative woodworking projects — from serving boards to decorative furniture details. I cut a lot of circles in my shop, and over time I’ve tested almost every method.
My go-to method is using a router circle jig. I’ve built several variations of this jig, and they’re all easy to set up, accurate, and compact enough to store without taking up valuable space. The only limitation is cut depth, which depends on the length of your router bit.
When I need to cut thicker stock (around 8 cm) — for example, when preparing blanks for bowl turning — I switch to my table saw with a homemade circle jig. It handles heavy stock surprisingly well and produces a clean, accurate circle.
A jigsaw can cut deep, but in my experience, it only gives you a rough circle. The blade tends to wander, the cut skews, and you’ll often end up with beveling along the edges. A bandsaw with a circle jig can give great results even in thicker material, but not many small workshops have one on hand.
👉 If you want to explore all the options, check out my guide on different methods how to cut a circle in wood.
💡 Pro Tips
Go slow with the router — rushing can burn the wood or snap thinner bits.
With the table saw jig, always secure your blank firmly and keep the rotation steady.
Sand the edges lightly after cutting to smooth out tool marks.
Cutting circles isn’t something you’ll do on every project, but when you need one, accuracy makes all the difference. From cutting boards to turned bowls, the right jig turns a tricky cut into a repeatable process.
Beginner’s Guide to Tools and Jigs for Each Cut
If you’re just starting out, knowing which tool and jig to use for each cut can save a lot of frustration.
This quick reference table shows the best beginner-friendly approach for each type of cut, how easy it is to make, and what to keep in mind when you’re learning.
| Cut Type | Best Tool | Beginner-Friendly Jig | Ease of Cut | Notes for Beginners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rip Cut | Table Saw | Straight edge guide / Rip fence | Moderate | Use push blocks for safety, start with shorter boards. |
| Crosscut | Table Saw or Miter Saw | Crosscut sled or fence | Easy | A sled is safer and more accurate than a miter gauge. |
| Miter Cut | Table Saw | Miter sled / Picture frame jig | Moderate | Fixed 45° jigs are very accurate; great for picture frames. |
| Circle Cut | Router | Router circle jig | Moderate | Router is most accurate; practice on scrap before real projects. |
Now that you’ve seen the tools and jigs that make each cut easier, let’s look at some of the most common mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Learning the four basic woodworking cuts is exciting, but it’s also where many beginners trip up. I’ve made a few of these mistakes myself early on, so here are the most common ones and how you can avoid them:
Skipping Jigs and Guides
Many beginners try to cut freehand with a circular saw or jigsaw. The result is rarely straight.
👉 Using simple jigs like a crosscut sled or a straight edge guide makes a huge difference in accuracy and safety.Forgetting About Safety Gear
Gloves and goggles aren’t optional. I’ve seen how quickly dust and splinters can get in the way — always put on your safety glasses before making a cut.Rushing the Cut
Pushing wood too quickly through a table saw or forcing a jigsaw around a tight curve often ends with a rough edge or even binding the blade. Take your time and let the tool do the work.Using the Wrong Blade
A fine-tooth blade for crosscuts, a ripping blade for rip cuts, and the right router bit for circles — each cut needs the right blade or bit. Using the wrong one will lead to tear-out, burn marks, or wobbly cuts.Not Measuring Twice
I can’t count how many times I cut a board too short when starting out. Always double-check your marks and angles before powering up the saw.
Final Thoughts
Once you get comfortable with rip cuts, crosscuts, miters, and circles, woodworking suddenly becomes a lot more fun. These four cuts are really the foundation — I use them on nearly every project, whether I’m breaking down plywood for a jig, crosscutting boards for a cutting board build, or dialing in precise miters for a picture frame.
When I was starting out, I didn’t have a shop full of tools, but learning how to make these cuts with just a table saw, circular saw, and a few homemade jigs gave me the confidence to take on bigger projects. The truth is, you don’t need fancy equipment — just the right technique, a reliable jig or two, and some patience.
If you’re just beginning your woodworking journey, my advice is to practice these cuts often and invest a little time in building simple jigs. They’ll not only make your work more accurate but also much safer.
📌 Looking for inspiration? Check out my collection of woodworking jig builds where I share step-by-step plans you can download and build yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 4 basic cuts in woodworking?
The four essential woodworking cuts are rip cuts, crosscuts, miter cuts, and circle (or curve) cuts. Mastering these will cover nearly every project you take on, from simple furniture to detailed joinery.
What tools do I need to start making basic woodworking cuts?
You can begin with just a circular saw and a jigsaw. Add a table saw as your workshop grows, since it’s the most versatile and accurate tool for rip and crosscuts. A router with a simple circle jig is great for cutting perfect circles.
Do I need a table saw as a beginner?
Not right away. A circular saw with a straight edge guide can handle most rip and crosscuts in the beginning. That said, once you get a table saw and build a few basic sleds and jigs, you’ll notice a big improvement in accuracy and ease.
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