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.
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.
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.
Knowing how to cut plywood with a circular saw and what to expect from a circular saw is important for safe handling and accurate cuts. Start the circular saw and slowly lower the blade into the plywood, aligning the heel guide notch with the line of cut as you move the circular saw through the cut. How to Cut Plywood with a Circular Saw without SplinteringIt is recommended to cut on a flat floor.
how to cut plywood sheets with a circular saw Related Question:
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 do you cut plywood straight with a circular saw?
To ensure a straight cut, press the saw firmly against the straightedge as you push it along. Clamp a perfectly straight board or metal straightedge to a sheet of plywood to make cabinet-quality straight cuts.
What do you put under plywood when cutting with a circular saw?
Lay 2x4s under the plywood perpendicular to the direction of the 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. The system works well for both rip cuts (parallel to the grain) and crosscuts (perpendicular to the grain).
How do you cut a large plywood with a circular saw?
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. Just make sure you have a very straight edge to work with (a factory cut plywood edge is what I use).
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.
What is the best saw blade to cut 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.
Which side of the line do you cut with a circular saw?
When appearance matters, make cuts with the good side facing down, as circular saws can splinter the wood on the top side. Making your cut line on masking tape can reduce splintering. Start over if you see that you’ve veered off from the cut line instead of trying to curve your way back on track.
How many teeth do you need for plywood?
Cross-cutting wood or sawing plywood: Use a 40-tooth to 80-tooth blade.
What is the easiest way to cut plywood?
Plywood can be unwieldy and may be challenging to cut, especially if you don’t have the right tools. You can cut plywood with a circular saw or a table saw with ease, as long as you remember a few basic rules. Make sure you have a sharp blade in your saw, and take precautions to keep the sheet stable.
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.
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.
