Make circular saw cuts so clean that you don’t have to sand or touch up the plywood edges. Cutting speed depends on many factors, including the type and sharpness of the blade and the type of plywood you’re cutting. 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 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. When I cut plywood, I place the plywood on top of the foam, and cut right into the foam. If you are doing alot of plywood or sheet goods ripping with a circular saw, I recommend investing in a saw guide.
There’s one job for which the circular saw is particularly well-suited: cutting large sheets of plywood down to size. To help you make the cleanest, safest, most accurate cuts, I’ve listed six time-proven tips and techniques for cutting plywood with a circular saw. A circular saw is ideal for plunge cutting a hole into the middle of a plywood sheet.
So I’m showing you how to cut down plywood sheets easily and accurately so you can quickly move on to the fun stuff-the building . If you’ve noticed, I use A LOT of plywood around here. Now, you can totally use a table saw to cut down your plywood sheets. I have a really nice table saw, but I still prefer using a circular saw to cut my sheets down because trying to maneuver a heavy sheet of plywood through a table saw by myself is a struggle.
“I need a 7¼” blade to cut 4×8′ sheets of plywood for cabinets. Handle the saw carefully because the telescoping blade guard will not extend through the zero-clearance base to cover the spinning blade. Then retract the saw blade above the base, and attach the zeroclearance plate using double-face tape.
circular saw for cutting plywood Related Question:
Can you use a circular saw to cut plywood?
Circular saws can be used to make square, miter, bevel and compound-angle cuts. When fitted with the appropriate blade, it can even cut metal and concrete. However, there’s one job for which the circular saw is particularly well-suited: cutting large sheets of plywood down to size.
What kind of saw blade is best for cutting plywood?
To get the best-quality cuts, invest in an 80-tooth blade designed for sheet goods. The small teeth take little bites to reduce chip-out and are steeply beveled at their edges to score the veneer face. You’ll have to slow your feed rate, but will get a much smoother edge.
What circular saw blade is best for cutting plywood and why?
Best Circular Saw Blade: Ultra Fine Finish With 60 teeth and a . 059-inch kerf, the Freud D0760X Diablo Circular Saw Blade creates clean, smooth cuts on delicate material like veneer plywood and melamine. This thin kerf greatly reduces the chance of chipping and blowouts, and doesn’t waste any material.
How do you cut plywood cleanly?
The best thing you can do to get clean cuts in plywood is to use a zero-clearance insert. This closes the gap around the blade in the throat plate or shoe. On a table saw, you can buy an aftermarket insert blank, or you can easily make one yourself.
What do you put under plywood when cutting?
The Secret is 2×2 Foam Board Here I have 8 laid out to support a full sheet of 3/4″ plywood. And unlike full insulation sheets, they are so easy to store. I just stack them up on a top shelf or under my bench.
What is a 40 tooth saw blade used for?
Deep gullets provide good chip removal. Crosscut blades, made for cutting across the woodgrain (across the face of a board), have between 40 and 80 teeth and are designed for clean cuts. Smaller gullets separate the teeth. Combination blades can make both rip cuts and crosscuts.
How do you cut Luan plywood?
You CAN cut luan along the grain (cutting along the 8 foot length) without scoring, but is is always best to score it before cutting no matter which direction you cut. There is one way to greatly help limit the splintering when cutting any wood veneer: Place masking tape over the cut line first.
Is more teeth on a saw blade better?
Blades with more teeth yield a smoother cut. Blades with fewer teeth remove material faster, but tend to produce a rougher cut with more “tearout”. More teeth means you will need to use a slower feed rate.
How do you cut plywood by hand?
Cutting Plywood With a Handsaw Always start with a sharp saw blade. A miter handsaw has a stiffer blade and will help if you’re making smaller cuts. For longer cuts that need to be straight, consider using a stiff board as a jig to guide your saw blade. Simply clamp the board along your cut line.
How many teeth do you need for plywood?
Cross-cutting wood or sawing plywood: Use a 40-tooth to 80-tooth blade.
Can you cut polystyrene with a circular saw?
Cutting Rigid Foam With a Circular Saw When you’re insulating a building, you have to cut a lot of sheets, and if you’re using 2-inch foam for maximum insulating value, the easiest way to cut them is to use a saw. A circular saw will cut through 2-inch foam sheets like butter.
Can I use a jigsaw to cut plywood?
The jigsaw can be used to make both straight and curved cuts in a wide variety of materials, including wood, particleboard, plywood, plastic, metal, even ceramic tile. It’s also safe and easy to use, which is why it’s often the very first power saw a new DIYer buys.
How do you cut plywood without a blowout?
Install the proper blade on your circular saw for different kinds of plywood. For precision cuts on hardwood plywood such as in cabinetry, use a carbide-tipped blade with square-cut teeth. Known as a cross-cut blade, it cuts smooth and straight without chipping or splintering loose fibers.
