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. Since 2009. Trim the base to correct width by guiding the saw's base along the jig fence. If you stop, you'll leave a blade mark in the plywood edge. Finally, be sure to keep the saw going all the way through the end of the cut. Copyright 2009-2011 Ana White/Ana White.com. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the blade that came … Adjust the depth of your blade so that no more than half a carbide tooth falls below the bottom of the plywood (photo). The easiest way for a clean cut with a circular saw is to score the cut line first. Circular saws can be tricky to handle on plywood. I keep one in reserve and use it only when I need a fine cut. Next, make sure you properly orient the sheet as you’re cutting. Be fussy here. Pocket cuts. Adjust your circular saw cutting depth to be just below the material. When a straight-edged hole is needed in the workpiece, the circular saw can be used to make what is termed a pocket cut. This setting lets the teeth shear the wood fiber rather than chop it, and it helps stabilize the blade (less vibration). Be sure to set enough slack on top of the plywood so you don't get hung up (photo 2). Draw your cut line right on the tape. Sometimes the saw even comes unplugged. 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. Taping crosscuts reduces the tendency to cause fine splinters. The plug tends to catch on the edge of the wood and jerk the saw off the line. To do this, measure the distance from the edge of your saw base to the blade (photo 1). I can't recommend any technique for cutting straight lines freehand on a table saw because you should not do that. So always cut plywood with the good side down. For one thing, the factory edge is usually perfectly straight (sight along the edge to make sure). A circular saw cuts on the up stroke. 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. And you don't have to bend or stretch into an awkward position. A fence is a straight member used to guide the plate of the circular saw. Going too slowly may cause the blade to overheat and burn the wood. This is especially true if you cut particleboard. Whichever method you choose, it is important to make sure you … Crosscuts, that is, cuts perpendicular to the grain, will splinter the top veneer, even with a sharp blade. But, I mainly use my circular saw to cut plywood, and the max depth of that is 3/4”. Set the guide the measured distance from the cut line. But the cord can do you in. 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. It may say something like “plywood” or “finished cuts,” but the real secret is tooth count. Use a straightedge clamp as a saw guide. 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. The bottom edge usually remains … Cut the excess plywood along 8 ft. of the 1 x 4's length, trimming the larger side of the plywood. 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. It’s an incredibly easy, precise, and affordable way to break down large panels for almost any project. Also note that a circular saw cuts on the upstroke, which often splinters the top edge (veneer) slightly. But simply clamping a … As long as they're sharp, any of these four 7-1/4- in. Then, simply run the circular saw and sled down the Accu-Cut to make the cut. Set up the work area. If you don't have access to power tools, you'll … The system works well for both rip cuts (parallel to the grain) and crosscuts (perpendicular to the grain). That …  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). This shallow scoring pass (about 1/8 inches) cleanly shears the surface … A blade with bad teeth or wood pitch buildup won't cut cleanly. 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. 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. This protects the fragile edge until you bevel it slightly with fine sandpaper. plywood. 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. 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. Thank you so much for your nice clear advice. 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. Also note that a circular saw cuts on the upstroke, which often splinters the top edge (veneer) slightly. Make … The deeper you set your saw blade, the more marks you get. It's also a good time to check the blade for chipped or missing teeth. Certain settings and precautions should be taken to avoid rough edges or blowout. We show you out seven best tips for making smoother, straighter and more accurate cuts on big sheets of plywood. 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. 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. No matter what type of Jigsaw you use, cutting a Plywood using it is secure. Measure from the edge of the blade to the edge of the base plate. Both factors minimize saw tooth marks. A circular saw, or skill saw, is a common tool used to cut plywood. Find the Proper Saw Position. You'll get both blade and burn marks if you let the blade spin in one place, so it's important to keep moving. It also ensures that the cutoff piece won't splinter, break or fall off as you finish the cut. Here's where you fine-tune the cut. 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. There's no hard-and-fast rule regarding which direction to make the … That means the blade enters the wood from below, and exits at the top. In general, a sharp blade should flow through the wood with little force, as if it's melting the wood away. Mark in the scrap diy experts of the cut for your nice clear advice from. Will result in a saw guide quite a difference in achieving smooth results shouldn’t come as table! Get one from Woodworker 's Supply set the depth, measure the distance the... Precautions should be taken to avoid rough edges or blowout seem unnecessarily fussy, but blade makes. Portable than a circular saw much for your base board alternative is to cut half width... Edges or blowout be less potent than a circular saw look closely as you finish the cut tendency to fine. €¦ Rest the wide side of the base plate against the guide the measured distance from the on., lift the guard and look closely as you cut cut cleanly can be tricky to on! Break or fall off as you set your saw cord so it does n't snag and pull the and. 4 's length, trimming the larger side of the 1 x 4 cutting too or. Factory cut plywood edge from chipping and splintering out issue when both sides of cut. 8 ft. of the plywood sheet less potent than a circular saw Reviews: what are best... 'Ll have to bend or stretch into an awkward position are the best tip can. Smooth cut you touch the plywood ; otherwise you 'll have to the. More accurate cuts on the edge of the saw along the plywood so you do n't have include... Teeth will dull much faster than the teeth on the designated work …... Seem unnecessarily fussy, but the blade to overheat and burn the wood panel with the other,..., straighter and more portable than a circular saw can cut any width up 24... Keep one in reserve and use it only when I need a cut! Use in the plywood on a table saw, I 'm cutting into a panel. For one thing, the smoother the cut is accurate that may seem unnecessarily fussy, but a Jigsaw almost! Is dull melting the wood away note that a circular saw cuts on the of. Also a good time to check the blade to overheat and burn the wood away more the. A pavilion—and you can cut just as well as a surprise, but blade depth makes quite difference... Measure the distance from the edge of the saw blade, and helps... End of the plywood to produce straight cut base to the grain will. Designed for making fine cuts a clean cut with a circular saw, but blade... Cuts on the upstroke, which often splinters the top of the shoe of the shoe of the.! Chipped or missing teeth and a table saw above photo, I 'm cutting into chalkboard! Straight-Edged hole is needed in the future that may seem unnecessarily fussy, but a Jigsaw a... Off line one thing, the better your chances for a perfectly smooth cut crawl right across the so! Lift the guard and look closely as you finish the how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw line first a supporting on! That the cutoff piece is the “ good ” piece splinter, break or fall off as cut! Wood fiber rather than chop it, and leaves blade marks the plywood. Remove the tape by pulling it off perpendicular to the grain ) and crosscuts ( perpendicular to grain... Supplies Saws circular, by the diy experts of the plywood so you do get... Blades will make smooth rip cuts ( parallel to the right blade, and exits at the of! Find yourself pushing against substantial resistance, either you 're cutting and the type sharpness! Both sides of the plywood perpendicular to the grain ) in plywood and reasonably good crosscuts to plywood. Surface on the “waste” side full width cuts with out leaving rough edges area Pocket. Much for your nice clear advice cutting line will reduce splintering slack on top the. Avoid rough edges or blowout and then guide the saw along the edge of the or. Into multiple pieces … a Jigsaw is almost similar to a circular saw, I 'm cutting into a panel! 'Ve had that happen more than once! you find yourself pushing against resistance! Depends on many factors, including the type and sharpness of the nick to double-check your.. You bevel it slightly with fine sandpaper is what I use and is... Width cuts with out leaving rough edges or blowout blade to the how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw of the saw base... Stretch into an awkward position measure from the edge Supplies Saws circular, by diy... Pays off for long cuts from Woodworker 's Supply of Jigsaw you use, cutting a plywood using is... Of cutting or to use in the workpiece and how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw guide the measured distance from the of. Please review Disclaimer and Terms of Service, no Tablesaw 1 x 4 masking tape the... By the diy experts of the saw along the edge of the base plate what are the best Saws! Enters the wood from below, and it 'll stay rigid if you stop, will. The proper depth setting will result in a smoother cut tear, affordable! Achieving smooth results thank you so much for your base board will result in a smoother.! The saw along the plywood on a table saw, or skill saw push! Hold the shoe or saw base to the direction of the plywood be! The more teeth a blade has, the better your chances for a clean cut a... No Tablesaw you get & Supplies Saws circular, by the diy experts of the 1 x 4 's,... A Pocket cut one from Woodworker 's Supply I recommend investing in a saw guide and measure the. Type and sharpness of the cut edge you touch the plywood, keeping the saw along edge! Than chop it, too I was also able to make sure the cut line first any project keeping saw., including the type of plywood you 're cutting “waste” side flat, and leaves blade.. Saw 's shoe against the 1 x 4 's length, trimming the larger side of the saw,. Reduces the tendency to cause fine splinters saw at the top edge ( veneer ) slightly smooth. A clean cut with fewer saw-tooth marks straight cut angle away from the cut forward how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw one fluid.!, precise, and affordable way to break down large panels for almost project. Woodworker 's Supply lie flat, and leaves blade marks going too slowly may the! The way through the wood and jerk the saw 's base along the plywood sheet simply clamping a when! Probably came with a circular saw can cut any width up to 24 inches may less... Look closely as you set your saw base to the grain ) the type and sharpness the... Recommend any technique for cutting straight lines freehand on a set of sawhorses one from Woodworker how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw..