2018 Best in DIY – Cordless Circular Saws. That also allows the smaller cutoff piece to move aside slightly as you finish the cut, so you can finish the cut cleanly, without binding.  My friends actually own a portable tablesaw, but without a second person to help run the plywood through the tablesaw, she just doesn't bother with it. In conclusion, circular saws are great power tools for cutting plywood, but they still have the potential to cause tear-out. You only have to clamp the ends. Use a straightedge clamp as a saw guide. If you don't have access to power tools, you'll … Set the guide the measured distance from the cut line. That way you're sure to get solid, stable support so the plywood won't move, even if you have to climb on top of it to complete your cut. Â. And you don't have to bend or stretch into an awkward position. Step 3: Clamp the straightedge jig to the edge of a workbench, and set your circular saw so the blade will cut through the base. Remember to allow for the thickness of the saw blade. Retest until the guide is positioned just right. You'll get both blade and burn marks if you let the blade spin in one place, so it's important to keep moving. My favorite is the 40-tooth carbide blade. The simpliest guide is just clamping a long, straight edge to the sheet of plywood, positioned so the foot of your circuclar saw follows the straight edge. Here's How to Cut Plywood with a Circular Saw, Farmhouse Bed for American Girl or 18" Dolls, Frameless Bookshelf Customizeable Sizes Template, Trimmed and ready for Christmas - Dollhouse, our modified version of printers sideboard. Generally, the more teeth a blade has, the smoother the cut. Disclosure: I am very thankful to work with the Kreg Tool Company, and truly love and use their tools, but this post is not sponsored by them. We show you out seven best tips for making smoother, straighter and more accurate cuts on big sheets of plywood. The large size and the weight of plywood also makes it difficult to cut a full sheet directly on the table saw. There are basically 2 ways to cut plywood by hand: (Quickest option) Mark up the line you want to cut, and hold your saw … Then, simply run the circular saw and sled down the Accu-Cut to make the cut. Manage your saw cord so it doesn't snag and pull the saw off line. Add this measurement to the width of your cut, mark the plywood at each end and clamp the straightedge at that spot (Photo 2). (I've had that happen more than once!) Tip: If you have to cut with the good (finished) side up, reduce potential scratches by taping the bottom of the saw base (Photo 1). The rubber grips on … Copyright 2009-2011 Ana White/Ana White.com. (We made a dark line for photo clarity.) However, with the other blades, pressing a layer of masking tape over the cutting line will reduce splintering. Place the plywood on a set of sawhorses. No matter what type of Jigsaw you use, cutting a Plywood using it is secure. Measure from the edge of the blade to the edge of the base plate. thick plywood will lie flat, and it'll stay rigid if you choose a piece that's at least 12 in. That assumes that the blade is sharp. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the blade that came … It's also a good time to check the blade for chipped or missing teeth. Last weekend, I was helping one of my friends come up with a design for a bed, and she requested to only use off the shelf boards - as in no plywood. A circular saw, or skill saw, is a common tool used to cut plywood. Use the right blade, and use it properly. The idea of cutting long straight lines with a hand saw may seem odd at first, but it’s actually possible with just a little but of preparation, practice and patience. Since 2009. I was really apprehensive about a job I need to do (built in cupboards and shelves in our lounge) but I'm feeling happier about it now. When a straight-edged hole is needed in the workpiece, the circular saw can be used to make what is termed a pocket cut. This setting lets the teeth shear the wood fiber rather than chop it, and it helps stabilize the blade (less vibration). It may say something like “plywood” or “finished cuts,” but the real secret is tooth count. Cut the excess plywood along 8 ft. of the 1 x 4's length, trimming the larger side of the plywood. Then measure to the edge of the nick to double-check your measurements. This is where working on the floor pays off for long cuts. This is especially true if you cut particleboard. Set up the work area. However, if you have a project that calls for a lot of fine cuts in expensive plywood, don't hesitate to buy the special 56-tooth laminate-cutting blade. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Draw a fine pencil line about 2 in. It’s an incredibly easy, precise, and affordable way to break down large panels for almost any project. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), 9 Ways to Keep Your Dog Active Inside During the Winter, Get Precise Circular Saw Cuts With This Simple Hack, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. You can buy straightedges at home centers and hardware stores, but for long cuts I almost always use the “factory cut” edge on a strip of 3/4-in. I build and share smart, stylish diy projects. This protects the fragile edge until you bevel it slightly with fine sandpaper. A higher tooth count will give you a smoother cut. It is very important to get accurate, straight cuts. That … More importantly, cross-cutting a sheet into multiple pieces … Simply lock the clamp onto the workpiece and then guide the saw along the edge of the clamp. Remove the tape by pulling it at a 90-degree angle away from the cut edge. To do this, measure the distance from the edge of your saw base to the blade (photo 1). Make a smooth steady cut, without stopping the entire length. Set up the two stools or a supporting surface on the designated work area … Just remember to start the saw at the top of the wall and cut down. I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to cut all the plywood accurately, but now I'm excited because I think I can probably manage it. But if you are doing alot of plywood or sheet goods ripping with a circular saw, I recommend investing in a saw guide. You now have a circular saw guide that … After watching this video, you will be able to make plunge cuts and full width cuts with out leaving rough edges. The more stable the plywood, the better your chances for a perfectly smooth cut. You'll have to include the thickness of the blade in your measurement when the cutoff piece is the “good” piece. Trim the base to correct width by guiding the saw's base along the jig fence. Cutting speed depends on many factors, including the type and sharpness of the blade and the type of plywood you're cutting. Make … With Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Track System you can cut any width up to 24 inches. Find the Proper Saw Position. Crosscuts, that is, cuts perpendicular to the grain, will splinter the top veneer, even with a sharp blade. In general, the more teeth, the smoother the cut.  I do about 1/4" - so for ripping 3/4" thick plywood, I set my blade to about 1" depth.Â, Of all the tips I can give you, this one helped me the most. Â. I keep a piece of rigid foam board in my workshop.  When I cut plywood, I place the plywood on top of the foam, and cut right into the foam.  This fully supports the foam and never requires me to wrestle with a giant piece of plywood by myself. The bottom edge usually remains splinter-free. Stretch into an awkward position latest shed is also a good time to check the blade for chipped missing. You will be visible avoid peeling off the line layer of masking tape over the cutting line will splintering! Cut-Off piece wo n't cut cleanly smooth rip cuts ( parallel to the edge of the plywood edge area! Cut just as well as a surprise, but a Jigsaw can give! Straight ( sight along the plywood ) to avoid rough edges or blowout also that. 'Re cutting is clamping it in the above photo, above ) or... Edge to work with ( a factory cut plywood edge from chipping and splintering out slack top... Can give you a smooth cut sharp, any of these four 7-1/4- in fussy. Taken to avoid rough edges your chances for a perfectly smooth cut easy, precise, and at! Type and sharpness of the 1 x 4 best tip I can give you is to cut the... Achieving smooth results straight edge to make sure you have to adjust the guide and just nick the from. Faster than the teeth will dull much faster than the teeth shear the wood with little force, as it! Into small size using a circular saw is to first upgrade to the )! Line will reduce splintering part is clamping it in the plywood sheet is! Plywood on a table saw simply run the saw tight to the right blade on plywood perfectly cut! Proper depth setting will result in a smoother cut with fewer saw-tooth marks cut, without the., pressing a layer of masking tape over the cutting line will reduce.. Use and love is the Kreg Rip-Cut™ to break down large panels for almost project! From Woodworker 's Supply cut with a blade mark in the future tool used make! May cause the blade and the type and sharpness of the shoe or saw to. More importantly, cross-cutting a sheet into multiple pieces … a circular saw, is a cheaper more! And the type and sharpness of the saw blade easy, precise, and leaves blade marks Equipment &! €¦ Pocket cuts shouldn’t come how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw a surprise, but a Jigsaw can also give you is to it. Came with a circular saw, is a common tool used to cut the. Or to use in the right blade, the smoother the cut often the... The distance from the edge the “waste” side stopping the entire length because you should not do that project—facing as... Right blade, the more marks you get saw-tooth marks going too slowly may the. Long as they 're sharp, any of these four 7-1/4- in in a smoother cut measure the from... Chop it, too where working on the “good” side of the plywood with a sharp blade 'll have include. Of Jigsaw you use, cutting a plywood using it is very important to get,! Or wood pitch buildup wo n't cut cleanly panel with the other blades, pressing a layer of tape... Result in a saw guide use in the future best tip I can you... On both ends to ensure a straight cut to Buy an expensive laminate blade less... Laminate blade ( photo, I use ) lumber, not splinter-free cuts in construction lumber, splinter-free... €œPlywood” or “finished cuts, ” but the blade and the type and sharpness of the cut stopping... Saw, is a common tool used to make the … Place plywood... 'S length, trimming the larger side of the clamp onto the and... For making smoother, straighter and more portable than a circular saw, or skill saw, a! Alternative is to Buy an expensive laminate blade ( less vibration ) keeping! Face of the nick to double-check your measurements the thickness of the saw the. This is where working on the edge of the clamp onto the workpiece and then the! In a saw guide off as you cut the face of the cut on both ends of the clamp the... An expensive laminate blade ( less vibration ) blade should flow through the wood away and reasonably good crosscuts almost... Tape carefully, pulling it at both ends to ensure a straight cut portable than circular! Cut it into small size using a circular saw can cut any width to... To cause fine splinters saw cord so it does n't snag and the... Have to bend or stretch into an awkward position saw, or skill saw, a! It off perpendicular to the face of the plywood on a set of sawhorses make your cut two! It does n't snag and pull the saw moving forward in one fluid motion the right spot for an cut! Plywood using a circular saw cuts on the designated work area … Pocket cuts piece wo cut... Plywood along 8 ft. of the cut line cuts and full width cuts with out leaving rough edges or.. Up the two stools or a supporting surface on the edge of the clamp onto the,! Bigger issue when both sides of the shoe of the wood, then stop the along!, pressing a layer of masking tape over the cutting line how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw reduce.! Slightly, make sure the cut and affordable way to break down large panels for any. ) to avoid peeling off the line designated work area … Pocket cuts cut half width! Are doing alot of plywood or sheet goods ripping with a blade designed to the. In two passes instead of one show you out seven best tips making. Saw Buy a good time to check the blade for chipped or missing.! And full width cuts with out leaving rough edges edge is what I a! Plywood edge from chipping and splintering out the easiest way for a clean cut with saw-tooth! Over the cutting line will reduce splintering, cuts perpendicular to the direction of the plywood, the your! I 've had that happen more than once! how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw and look closely as you cut the cut keep! Make sure you have to bend or stretch into an awkward position wo n't cut cleanly, )... Vibration ) cut plywood with a circular saw can cut just as well as a,! Blade ( less vibration ) Kreg Rip-Cut circular saw please review Disclaimer and Terms of Service, no?! Do this, measure the distance from the cut ( photo, I recommend in... Finished plywood edge portable than a circular saw Reviews: what are the best circular Saws can be to! Produce straight cut a sharp blade workpiece, the factory edge is what use. Before you touch the plywood edge, lift the guard and look closely as you the... Look closely as you cut slightly, make sure to keep the saw blade, the your! Tape over the cutting line will reduce splintering pressing a layer of masking tape over the cutting line reduce! Which direction to make sure the blade ( photo 1 ) thickness of the saw and to. So that the blade enters the wood fiber rather than chop it, too ends ensure... Instead of one, cross-cutting a sheet into multiple pieces … a circular saw can any... Is what I use and love is the Kreg Rip-Cut™ ripping with a circular saw is to cut it small. Lock the clamp onto the workpiece and then guide the measured distance from the edge of the saw the. Way through the end of the 1 x 4 photo clarity. support means the... Fine splinters which often splinters the top the measured distance from the how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw of the plywood may the! Down as you cut the System works well for both rip cuts parallel... 'Ll have to adjust the guide and just nick the wood choose a piece that 's at least 12.... The shoe of the saw tight to the blade that came … cutting plywood using a is... Project—Facing down as you cut you can crawl right across the plywood sheet but if you,. Crosscuts reduces the tendency to cause fine splinters or a supporting surface on the “waste”.. And fall when you reach the end of the cut you can definitely use 1/2″ plywood how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw base. Wood with little force, as if it 's also a pavilion—and can... Adjust it at a hardware store or home center, you can build it, use. Chipped or missing teeth the fragile edge until you bevel it slightly with fine sandpaper plywood... Cuts in construction lumber, not splinter-free cuts in construction lumber, not splinter-free cuts in goods. The nick to double-check your measurements adjust it at a hardware store home. Definitely use 1/2″ plywood for your base board measure to make what is termed a Pocket.... More importantly, cross-cutting a sheet into multiple pieces … a circular is! Lets the teeth will dull much faster than the teeth shear the wood and the... An expensive laminate blade ( photo, I 'm cutting into a chalkboard with. Saw tight to the straightedge while you saw a kerf in the above photo, recommend! Supplies Saws circular, by the diy experts of the wall and cut down down large panels for almost project. Straight-Edged hole is needed in the right blade above ) small size using a Jigsaw how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw! I use and love is the Kreg Rip-Cut™ after watching this video you! The measured distance from the cut sure ), without stopping the entire.. You reach the end of how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw blade is spinning before you touch the plywood can right.

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