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.
circular saw guide for ripping plywood Related Question:
What tool is used for ripping plywood?
A circular saw, or skill saw, is a common tool used to cut plywood. 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. But simply clamping a board along the length of the plywood to use as a guide for your saw can remedy this.
What is a rip guide on a circular saw?
The Rip-Cut easily makes straight, accurate, repeatable cuts without measuring, marking, or having to keep the saw on the cut line. The Rip-Cut does this with a long edge guide that follows the straight edge of the sheet you are cutting.
How many teeth do you need for plywood?
Cross-cutting wood or sawing plywood: Use a 40-tooth to 80-tooth blade.
Can you rip plywood with a table saw?
Cutting plywood sheets on your tablesaw is possible if you support the sheet well throughout the cut. As the photo proves, you don’t need fancy equipment or a huge saw table, either.
What is the best power tool to cut plywood?
A circular saw is the go-to tool for cross-cutting and ripping framing members and sheet stock like plywood.
Can I use a jigsaw instead of a circular saw?
Although a jigsaw can be used for most of the tasks that a circular saw can perform, including straight cuts and cuts on a tilt, the jigsaw uses that really take advantage of the tool’s qualities are jobs such as kitchen fitting and joinery, with their frequent need for complex cuts.
Can a jigsaw cut 3/4 inch plywood?
Jigsaws work best for cutting softwood that’s no more than 1-1/2 in. thick and hardwood up to 3/4 in. thick. Jigsaw blades tend to bend when cutting curves in thicker boards, leaving a beveled edge rather than a square one.
Are circular saw Rip Fences universal?
No, fences are not interchangeable on any circular saw. There are different widths. You can get a universal replacement set that would most likely fit.
Can you rip plywood with a miter saw?
For table and miter saws, invest in an 80 TPI plywood blade, one designed for cross (miter saw) or rip (table saw) cuts. Then when making your cuts, set yourself up for success. Your plywood should be oriented so that the blade exits the wood on the good face.
How do you cut a plywood with a circular saw without splintering?
To do so, place the best side (meaning the side of the door that will be most visible once it’s hung) face down. Then score along the edge of the cut line with a sharp utility knife. Now when you make the cut, the wood fibers will break off cleanly at the scored line, leaving a smooth, splinter-free cut.
How many teeth should a circular saw plywood blade have?
Framing blades have 24 teeth and are effective for jobs such as rough carpentry, where speed is more important than getting a clean cut. Plywood blades have 100 or more fine teeth designed to create a finish with minimal splintering.
How do you cut thin plywood without splintering?
Naturally, you’ll want to select a fine tooth blade that works well to cut plywood. These tend to have more teeth per inch, as well a higher bevel angle that can slice through the wood. For a circular saw, you can easily pick up a plywood blade for $20 at any home center, and it will work magic on your cuts.
How do you prevent Tearout When cutting plywood?
Another thing you can do to prevent tearout involves our old friend blue tape. Just run a strip of blue masking tape along the cut line on the side that you anticipate tear out. The tape helps to hold the fibers in place during the cut, and usually the result is a clean crisp line.
What is the primary difference between a jigsaw and a circular saw?
So, talking about differences – what exactly is the difference between a jigsaw and a circular saw? A jigsaw allows you to make cuts that are more intricate, and can also make curved cuts. A circular saw has one job, which is to cut quickly on heavy woods in straight lines.
