Abstract: A guide for a hand held power cutting tool of the type having a blade extending through a base plate, includes a stem element having distance gradations thereon and a cutting tool guide piece attached to an end of the stem element. A shoe element is provided for engaging surfaces of a work piece and an anvil element is adjustably connected to the shoe element whereby the anvil element is movable longitudinally with respect to the shoe element. The anvil element engages an upper surface of the shoe element to form an opening therewith through which the stem element slidably passes so that the stem element is adjustable longitudinally with respect to the opening to position the guide piece at a location whereby when an edge of the base plate engages a front face of the guide piece, the blade will cut the work piece at a desired length.