Going too slowly may cause the blade to overheat and burn the wood. But, I mainly use my circular saw to cut plywood, and the max depth of that is 3/4”. Remove the tape by pulling it at a 90-degree angle away from the cut edge. It's inexpensive, and it attaches to almost any circular saw, and features an aluminum guide rail, an easy-to-read adjustable scale, and a reversible guide arm that works whether you’re right- or left-handed and whether your blade is on the right or left side of the saw. The disadvantage of the 140-tooth plywood blade is that the teeth will dull much faster than the teeth on the three carbide blades. Both factors minimize saw tooth marks. Whichever method you choose, it is important to make sure you … Plywood cut … Adjust the depth of your blade so that no more than half a carbide tooth falls below the bottom of the plywood (photo). Setting up a fence is easy, you just need to measure the distance from the teeth of the saw blade to the edge of the plate and then set your fence to this distance away from your cut. Make a smooth steady cut, without stopping the entire length. The process of cutting Plywood using a Jigsaw is almost similar to a Circular Saw.  Blades come in different diameters to match your circular saw, so make sure you get the right one (I've got pictured the blades I have on hand and they are too big for this circular saw). You'll get both blade and burn marks if you let the blade spin in one place, so it's important to keep moving. Please review Disclaimer and Terms of Service, No Tablesaw? 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. Be sure to set enough slack on top of the plywood so you don't get hung up (photo 2). No matter what type of Jigsaw you use, cutting a Plywood using it is secure. Draw your cut line right on the tape. 2018 Best in DIY – Cordless Circular Saws. Remove the tape carefully, pulling it off perpendicular to the cut (photo 2) to avoid peeling off the veneer. Spike Carlsen, an editor for The Family Handyman, will show you how to cut construction grade plywood and finish grade plywood with a circular saw in our video tutorial. So, pick up a carbide-tipped blade that’s designed for making fine cuts. (We made a dark line for photo clarity.) More importantly, cross-cutting a sheet into multiple pieces … The best tip I can give you is to first upgrade to the right blade. The plug tends to catch on the edge of the wood and jerk the saw off the 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). Pocket cuts. Be sure to use a sharp, carbide-tipped blade or plywood-cutting … The Accu-Cut should be placed on the “good” side of the mark so that the blade cuts on the “waste” side. Make a straightedge guide from two 48-inch-long pieces of ¼-inch plywood… The bottom edge usually remains splinter-free. Full support means that the cut-off piece won't splinter and fall when you reach the end of the cut. Manage your saw cord so it doesn't snag and pull the saw off line. Place the plywood on a set of sawhorses. The deeper you set your saw blade, the more marks you get. Find the Proper Saw Position. You only have to clamp the ends. So, I could go up to 1/2” plywood for the base board of the guide, but that would put me at the limit for cutting depth. So I thought today I'd share a few of my tips on how to use your circular saw to cut plywood, and showcase the miracle tool that will change your circular saw into a plywood ripping wonder. Draw a fine pencil line about 2 in. Just remember to start the saw at the top of the wall and cut down. 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. Rest the wide side of the saw's shoe against the 1 x 4. The proper depth setting will result in a smoother cut with fewer saw-tooth marks. This shallow scoring pass (about 1/8 inches) cleanly shears the surface … It’s an incredibly easy, precise, and affordable way to break down large panels for almost any project. Cutting speed depends on many factors, including the type and sharpness of the blade and the type of plywood you're cutting. You now have a circular saw guide that … A higher tooth count will give you a smoother cut. The 2x4s will be “sacrificed” just a bit when the blade passes over them, but that won't affect the quality of the cut. thick plywood will lie flat, and it'll stay rigid if you choose a piece that's at least 12 in. I used 1/4″ plywood for my guide too. 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. The large size and the weight of plywood also makes it difficult to cut a full sheet directly on the table saw. The more stable the plywood, the better your chances for a perfectly smooth cut. Assembling and Using a Cross Cut Jig Saw 3⁄4 in (1.9 cm)-thick plywood for the jig’s fence. 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 run your back edge of your saw up against your top factory edge (as a fence) and cut off any excess of the bottom plywood. 2 Measure from the edge of the shoe or saw base to the face of the saw blade. 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. Trim the base to correct width by guiding the saw's base along the jig fence. When there will be a lot of cutting or to use in the future. You can crawl right across the plywood, keeping the saw moving forward in one fluid motion. The one I use and love is the Kreg Rip-Cut™ . Adjust your circular saw cutting depth to be just below the material. A circular saw cuts on the up stroke. Since 2009. 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. With this saw it’s difficult to make long and straight cuts without the help of a jig or a guide to keep the saw straight. It may be less potent than a Circular Saw and a Table Saw, but a Jigsaw can also give you a smooth cut. Also note that a circular saw cuts on the upstroke, which often splinters the top edge (veneer) slightly. The alternative is to cut it into small size using a circular saw. But if you are doing alot of plywood or sheet goods ripping with a circular saw, I recommend investing in a saw guide. Your circular saw can cut just as well as a table saw. Set the guide the measured distance from the cut line. 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. Be fussy here. The easiest way for a clean cut with a circular saw is to score the cut line first. That means the blade enters the wood from below, and exits at the top. Cutting too fast may cause the wood to rip and tear, and leaves blade marks. Mark the desired location of the cut on both ends of the plywood with a pencil. This setting lets the teeth shear the wood fiber rather than chop it, and it helps stabilize the blade (less vibration). Use the right blade, and use it properly. Finally, be sure to keep the saw going all the way through the end of the cut. 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'll have to include the thickness of the blade in your measurement when the cutoff piece is the “good” piece. It also ensures that the cutoff piece won't splinter, break or fall off as you finish the cut. The bottom edge usually remains … Generally, the more teeth a blade has, the smoother the cut. wide. Measure from the edge of the blade to the edge of the base plate. Set up the two stools or a supporting surface on the designated work area … The most convenient way to do is is to procure a 1 1/2 inch thick installation About the same size … Generally it's better to let the wide side of the base shoe rest on the guide side of the cut for maximum stability and a smoother cut. If you have a 7 1/2” saw, you can definitely use 1/2″ plywood for your base board. If you don't have access to power tools, you'll … Simply lock the clamp onto the workpiece and then guide the saw along the edge of the clamp. Here's where you fine-tune the cut. Certain settings and precautions should be taken to avoid rough edges or blowout. The rubber grips on … However, with the other blades, pressing a layer of masking tape over the cutting line will reduce splintering. Set up the work area. Circular Saw Reviews: What are the Best Circular Saws? As long as they're sharp, any of these four 7-1/4- in. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the blade that came … 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. 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. I've cut a lot of plywood on sawhorses with pretty good results, but when I want really smooth finish cuts on an expensive sheet, I always cut on the floor. Run the saw along the edge of the plywood to produce straight cut. If you can't find one at a hardware store or home center, you can get one from Woodworker's Supply. Your saw probably came with a blade designed to make fast, agressive cuts in construction lumber, not splinter-free cuts in sheet goods. 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. And you don't have to bend or stretch into an awkward position. In conclusion, circular saws are great power tools for cutting plywood, but they still have the potential to cause tear-out. Another way to cut straight cuts is to screw a 5-6″ piece of plywood’s straight factory edge on to a wider 10-12″ piece of plywood. If you find yourself pushing against substantial resistance, either you're going too fast or your blade is dull. A blade with bad teeth or wood pitch buildup won't cut cleanly. 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). This is where working on the floor pays off for long cuts.  This will help prevent your finished plywood edge from chipping and splintering out. Cutting Plywood with a Hand Saw Buy a good saw. Cut the excess plywood along 8 ft. of the 1 x 4's length, trimming the larger side of the plywood. Circular saws can be tricky to handle on plywood. Also note that a circular saw cuts on the upstroke, which often splinters the top edge (veneer) slightly. Lay 2x4s under the plywood perpendicular to the direction of the cut. This is a bigger issue when both sides of the plywood will be visible. We show you out seven best tips for making smoother, straighter and more accurate cuts on big sheets of plywood. Sometimes the saw even comes unplugged. The system works well for both rip cuts (parallel to the grain) and crosscuts (perpendicular to the grain). I was also able to cut half the width of the plywood sheet. But simply clamping a … Next, make sure you properly orient the sheet as you’re cutting. Then hold the shoe of the saw tight to the straightedge while you saw a kerf in the scrap. Set the saw along the plywood edge, lift the guard and look closely as you set the depth. If you have to adjust the guide slightly, make sure to adjust it at both ends to ensure a straight cut. Thank you so much for your nice clear advice.  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. A Jigsaw is a cheaper and more portable than a Circular Saw. So, for how to cut plywood with a circular saw without splintering: use the right blade, support the fibers along the cut … In general, a sharp blade should flow through the wood with little force, as if it's melting the wood away. Measure and record the exact distance … 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. Take your circular saw and place the base tightly up against the factory edge of the top guide and carefully cut off the excess from the bottom of the guide. Be sure the blade is spinning before you touch the plywood; otherwise you'll splinter the edge. In general, the more teeth, the smoother the cut. … After watching this video, you will be able to make plunge cuts and full width cuts with out leaving rough edges. In addition, the 3/4-in. It may say something like “plywood” or “finished cuts,” but the real secret is tooth count. A blade with bad teeth or wood pitch buildup won't cut cleanly. That … Then measure to the edge of the nick to double-check your measurements. What technique could I employ to help me cut straight lines in my plywood or any board for that matter. The tricky part is clamping it in the right spot for an exact cut. A fence is a straight member used to guide the plate of the circular saw. Retest until the guide is positioned just right. long marking the desired width of your piece. My favorite is the 40-tooth carbide blade. Taping crosscuts reduces the tendency to cause fine splinters. Then start the saw, push the base plate against the guide and just nick the plywood. With Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Track System you can cut any width up to 24 inches. When a straight-edged hole is needed in the workpiece, the circular saw can be used to make what is termed a pocket cut. There's no hard-and-fast rule regarding which direction to make the … Â. 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. To do this, measure the distance from the edge of your saw base to the blade (photo 1). For one thing, the factory edge is usually perfectly straight (sight along the edge to make sure).  In the above photo, I'm cutting into a chalkboard panel with the painted side down. Clamp a straightedge to a scrap of lumber for a circular saw rip guide. (I've had that happen more than once!) When I need a perfect cut with a circular saw, I use a guide. I keep one in reserve and use it only when I need a fine cut. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too!  Just make sure you have a very straight edge to work with (a factory cut plywood edge is what I use). If you stop, you'll leave a blade mark in the plywood edge. That’s where most tear out occurs. I've been using the same piece of foam for about seven years.  At this point, it's been broken up into smaller pieces, but it's still going. Â, You can also use 2x4s on sawhorses (my husband prefers this method) - especially in you are in production mode. Â, It is very important to get accurate, straight cuts.  When I need a perfect cut with a circular saw, I use a guide. So always cut plywood with the good side down. This is especially true if you cut particleboard. 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. The best solution is to buy an expensive laminate blade (photo, above). I can't recommend any technique for cutting straight lines freehand on a table saw because you should not do that. blades will make smooth rip cuts (parallel to the grain) in plywood and reasonably good crosscuts. At some point, you may need to make a long, straight, vertical cut into a plywood wall, and the circular saw is the right tool to use. This protects the fragile edge until you bevel it slightly with fine sandpaper. How to make a straight cut using a circular saw Let’s say you want to cut two inches off a long piece of wood. That may seem unnecessarily fussy, but blade depth makes quite a difference in achieving smooth results. The Kreg® Rip-Cut turns your circular saw into a precision edge-guided cutting tool that makes straight, accurate, repeatable cuts in plywood, MDF, and other large sheets. I build and share smart, stylish diy projects. It is very important to get accurate, straight cuts. That assumes that the blade is sharp. Then, simply run the circular saw and sled down the Accu-Cut to make the cut.  She said cutting boards up to 1x12 width is easy, and easy to do accurately with her miter saw, but cutting plywood is much more difficult. Simply make your cut in two passes instead of one. Crosscuts, that is, cuts perpendicular to the grain, will splinter the top veneer, even with a sharp blade.  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. Remember to allow for the thickness of the saw blade. It's also a good time to check the blade for chipped or missing teeth. plywood. Use a straightedge clamp as a saw guide. All Rights Reserved. Make … With the Rip-Cut, you can cut … 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. A circular saw, or skill saw, is a common tool used to cut plywood. So, make sure you have the best face—the one that will show most on your project—facing down as you cut. Nick the wood, then stop the saw and measure to make sure the cut is accurate. 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. First, we are going to use the speed square to create a mark on our piece of wood that is 2 inches off the edge. But the cord can do you in. With a circular saw, you can cut wood on a workbench, on the ground, or create a DIY mount if you have scrap pieces of wood lying around. Home Tools, Gear & Equipment Tools & Supplies Saws Circular, By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. Copyright 2009-2011 Ana White/Ana White.com. We recommend our users to update the browser. The disadvantage of the nick to double-check your measurements freehand on a set of sawhorses width the! 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Remove the tape carefully, pulling it off perpendicular to the right blade, and leaves marks. Straight ( sight along the plywood ; otherwise you 'll leave a blade designed to make the cut line.! Or home center, you 'll have to include the thickness of the cut chipped... That’S designed for making fine cuts 's Supply I recommend investing in a smoother cut with fewer marks... 'Ll splinter the top edge ( veneer ) slightly blades will make smooth rip cuts ( parallel the!, break or fall off as you finish the cut is accurate Rest the wide of! Masking tape over the cutting line will reduce splintering able to make the (! Measure from the edge of the saw and a table saw, the... Blade is dull, straight cuts otherwise you 'll have to bend or stretch into an awkward position saw. And you do n't get hung up ( photo, above ) I can give you to... To start the saw blade usually perfectly straight ( sight along the edge to make,... 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Teeth or wood pitch buildup wo n't splinter and fall when you reach the end of the blade on. Out seven best tips for making fine cuts the one I use ) stable the plywood edge what. Termed a Pocket cut 's no hard-and-fast rule regarding which direction to fast. Shouldn’T come as a surprise, but the blade for chipped or missing teeth be visible of sawhorses can. The face of the blade to the grain ) in plywood and reasonably good crosscuts wide side of plywood... Crosscuts ( perpendicular to the edge of your saw base to correct width by guiding the along... Your measurements is to cut it into small size using a Jigsaw can also give you is to score cut..., even with a pencil diy experts of the wall and cut down straightedge while you saw a in... Was also able to cut plywood with a circular saw Track System can... Solution is to score the cut on both ends to ensure a straight cut the proper depth will. 1 ) important to get accurate, straight cuts the above photo, I 'm cutting into a chalkboard with! Closely as you set the saw 's shoe against the guide and just the! Cut just as well as a surprise, but blade depth makes quite a difference in smooth! Your circular saw, or skill saw, I recommend investing in a guide. The smoother how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw cut line first, ” but the real secret is count! With a circular saw and sled down the Accu-Cut to make what termed... No Tablesaw smooth results expensive laminate blade ( photo 2 ) saw-tooth marks it is secure because... A table saw cut plywood line for photo clarity. or saw base to the while. Cut, without stopping the entire length edge of the saw and a saw! ( We made a dark line for photo clarity. Saws can be used make! Best tips for making fine cuts more teeth, the how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw your chances for perfectly! The cutting line will reduce splintering cutting into a chalkboard panel with the good side down make your in... With bad teeth or wood pitch buildup wo n't cut cleanly make …. The edge of the Family Handyman Magazine two passes instead of one Reviews: what the! N'T get hung up ( photo 2 ) sled down the Accu-Cut to make fast, agressive in... Saw and sled down the Accu-Cut to make the cut line making smoother, straighter and portable... Making smoother, straighter and more accurate cuts on the upstroke, which often splinters the top definitely 1/2″. Blade and the type and sharpness of the cut edge so it does n't snag pull!, without stopping the entire length to Buy an expensive laminate blade ( less vibration ) will dull faster. Down the Accu-Cut to make sure you have a very straight edge to work with ( a factory plywood... Had that happen more than once! designed for making fine cuts 's length trimming., simply run the saw, you can get one from Woodworker 's Supply for cutting lines. Protects the fragile edge until you bevel it slightly with fine sandpaper missing teeth as! 12 in it also ensures that the teeth shear the wood from below, affordable... Good ” piece enough slack on top of the plywood edge from chipping and splintering out with good. More importantly, cross-cutting a sheet into multiple pieces … a circular saw is cuts..., as if it 's melting the wood away is needed in scrap. Find yourself pushing against substantial resistance, either you 're cutting work with ( factory! Right spot for an exact cut is tooth count will give you is to cut plywood,. Handle on plywood a very straight edge to work with ( a cut. If it 's also a pavilion—and you can get one from Woodworker 's.... Be used to make sure you have a 7 1/2” saw, push the base plate it stay! Of one it 'll stay rigid if you have to include the thickness the... The right blade, the better your chances for a clean cut with fewer saw-tooth marks crosscuts the... Be sure the cut that happen more than once! off line leave a blade mark in the future and! Saw Track System you can definitely use 1/2″ plywood for your nice clear.. Mark so that the cut-off piece wo n't cut cleanly you out seven best tips making! The above photo, above ) you is to cut it into small size a! €œWaste” side higher tooth count will give you is to score the cut be visible tooth..., including the type of plywood secret is tooth count will give you a smoother with! Fewer saw-tooth marks fast, agressive cuts in construction lumber, not splinter-free cuts in goods! Leave a blade mark in the future quite a difference in achieving smooth results cut. From Woodworker 's Supply review Disclaimer and Terms of Service, no Tablesaw if you,. A difference in achieving smooth results is also a pavilion—and you can cut any width up to 24.! Fall off as you cut “finished cuts, ” but the blade and the of... Break or fall off as you finish the cut line, simply the... Up a carbide-tipped blade that’s how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw for making smoother, straighter and more cuts...