Step 1 Prior to doing any cutting, carefully inspect the wood for nails and screws. Since we reuse so much lumber, it is very common to have fasteners left in. Be especially aware of nails or screws that have been broken off below the surface of the material. First, with the switch off, line up the saw, making sure to line up the blade on the waste edge of your mark. If you don't line up on the waste edge of the mark, your cut may be 1/8" short due to the "kerf" of the blade (the thickness of the blade itself).