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.
Here’s how to cut construction and finish grade plywood with a circular saw without leaving rough, splintered edges. The Family Handyman DIY expert, Spike Carlsen, will show you how to cut construction grade plywood and finish grade plywood with a circular saw. Line the blade up with the cut line and set your thumb and forefinger along the outside edge of the circular saw, pinching the saw’s shoe and running parallel with the outside edge of the plywood.
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. The spinning blade of a circular saw enters the bottom of the board you’re cutting and exits through the top. Plug in the saw and make a perfectly straight cut by steering the saw along the edge of the plywood guide. Adjust the saw blade to its maximum depth of cut and saw through all the sheets at the same time. A circular saw is ideal for plunge cutting a hole into the middle of a plywood sheet. 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.
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.
when cutting plywood 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.
What is one of the rules of thumb when you cut plywood with a Skillsaw?
If you are going to cut your plywood with a circular saw, you will want the plywood face down. The position of the plywood will help prevent chipping when you cut. When using a circular saw, lay the plywood on the surface where you will cut with its best side facing down.
When cutting plywood with a circular saw which side is up?
Also note that a circular saw cuts on the upstroke, which often splinters the top edge (veneer) slightly. The bottom edge usually remains splinter-free. So always cut plywood with the good side down.
How many teeth do you need for 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.
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.
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.
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.
Can I use a hand saw to cut plywood?
Most projects that involve plywood require cutting to size. Many homeowners wonder what the best way to cut plywood is. You can cut plywood with a handsaw, jigsaw, table saw or circular saw. Keep reading to learn how-to techniques and tips for using each of these tools to cut plywood.
Why do people tape wood before cutting?
One your tape is in place, make your cut along the line with your saw. The tape holds the wood together so that even the cheapest piece of wood comes out with a clean edge.
How do you prevent wood from tearing when cutting?
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.
How many teeth blade for cutting plywood?
Cross-cutting wood or sawing plywood: Use a 40-tooth to 80-tooth blade. You can use a 40-tooth to 50-tooth general purpose blade as well. Joinery work: Use a 40-tooth to 50-tooth all-purpose combination blade. Cutting MDF and man-made materials: Use a 50-tooth to 80-tooth blade.
What is the best jigsaw blade to cut plywood?
A 16-20 TPI jigsaw blade makes the finest and smoother cuts through the plywood and laminated materials. However, the TPI ratio also impacts the type of cuts, such as straight or round cuts. If your jigsaw blade has smaller teeth, it is suitable for making curved cuts with smoother edges.
How do you cut a plywood with a jigsaw without splintering?
Using a thin blade with upward teeth should do quite well in plywood cutting to avoid splintering. Remember, the jigsaw handles many types of blades. You should use the perfect Types of blades for your cutting Task if you want a splintering less surface.
Can a jigsaw cut particle board?
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.
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.
