The Pool Noodle Hack You Need To Try Before Hanging Up An Unprotected Saw Again

When TikTok user @jmg8tor tosses a saw into his truck (or over his shoulder, as he does at the end of this video), he likes to know the saw and everything it comes in contact with are protected. But, strangely, handsaws don't always come with any sort of protective cover for their blades, and when they do, the protection is often fragile and easy to lose. Surprisingly, a pool noodle is just the item to keep things safe and working smoothly when it's time to transport your saw or hang it up at the end of the day.

Pool noodles are great for storing cleaning supplies, lawn-care implements, and other tools, but this must-do hack solves a couple of important saw-specific storage problems. It should go without saying that saws cut things. Sure, they cut lumber and molding and PVC pipes, but they'll also make short work of your finger, the cord of your $1600 Festool miter saw, and anything else they become entangled with. The pool noodle will protect the blade of your handsaw, and anything that rubs up against it. If you've ever spent half a day sharpening a crosscut saw, you know how important protecting its blades can be.

The pool noodle saw guard couldn't be simpler to make or use. Cut the noodle to length with a sharp blade (probably not your handsaw) and you're most of the way there. The cutting edge of the saw should be slipped inside a slit that runs the length of the pool noodle. Unless you have a pool noodle that already has a slit (some do), you will be able to easily create one with that same blade you used to cut the noodle initially. In fact, noodles that come built without slits probably have the best holding power because you can ensure the opening isn't too wide.

Another way to improve the hold your noodle has on your saw (bet you haven't read that phrase before) is to cut it a little longer than the blade. On most saws, the adjacent handle or other parts of the saw will be thicker than the blade itself. Your pool noodle will get a little more firmly attached if it's long enough to reach those parts. Keep your cut-off noodle pieces for other DIY projects, like @jmg8tor's hack for protecting outdoor extension cords.