I used 1/4â³ plywood for my guide too. A blade with bad teeth or wood pitch buildup won't cut cleanly. That way you're sure to get solid, stable support so the plywood won't move, even if you have to climb on top of it to complete your cut. Run the saw along the edge of the plywood to produce straight cut. The bottom edge usually remains splinter-free. It's also a good time to check the blade for chipped or missing teeth. The tricky part is clamping it in the right spot for an exact cut. The bottom edge usually remains ⦠It is very important to get accurate, straight cuts. This is a bigger issue when both sides of the plywood will be visible. Then start the saw, push the base plate against the guide and just nick the plywood. Place the plywood on a set of sawhorses. The more stable the plywood, the better your chances for a perfectly smooth cut. Be fussy here. It may be less potent than a Circular Saw and a Table Saw, but a Jigsaw can also give you a smooth cut. 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. The alternative is to cut it into small size using a circular saw. A circular saw, or skill saw, is a common tool used to cut plywood. I can't recommend any technique for cutting straight lines freehand on a table saw because you should not do that. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), 9 Ways to Keep Your Dog Active Inside During the Winter, Get Precise Circular Saw Cuts With This Simple Hack, Do Not Sell My Personal Information â CA Residents. ⦠How to make a straight cut using a circular saw Letâs say you want to cut two inches off a long piece of wood. Generally, the more teeth a blade has, the smoother the cut. The large size and the weight of plywood also makes it difficult to cut a full sheet directly on the table saw. Plywood cut ⦠You'll have to include the thickness of the blade in your measurement when the cutoff piece is the “good” piece. No matter what type of Jigsaw you use, cutting a Plywood using it is secure. In general, the more teeth, the smoother the cut. Pocket cuts. Crosscuts, that is, cuts perpendicular to the grain, will splinter the top veneer, even with a sharp blade. In addition, the 3/4-in. Draw your cut line right on the tape. Your circular saw can cut just as well as a table saw. The disadvantage of the 140-tooth plywood blade is that the teeth will dull much faster than the teeth on the three carbide blades. I keep one in reserve and use it only when I need a fine cut. Lay 2x4s under the plywood perpendicular to the direction of the cut. This shouldnât come as a surprise, but the blade that came ⦠In general, a sharp blade should flow through the wood with little force, as if it's melting the wood away. Make a straightedge guide from two 48-inch-long pieces of ¼-inch plywood⦠Adjust the depth of your blade so that no more than half a carbide tooth falls below the bottom of the plywood (photo). The deeper you set your saw blade, the more marks you get. The system works well for both rip cuts (parallel to the grain) and crosscuts (perpendicular to the grain). long marking the desired width of your piece. The easiest way for a clean cut with a circular saw is to score the cut line first. Measure from the edge of the blade to the edge of the base plate. My favorite is the 40-tooth carbide blade. I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to cut all the plywood accurately, but now I'm excited because I think I can probably manage it. Thatâs where most tear out occurs. More importantly, cross-cutting a sheet into multiple pieces ⦠Make a smooth steady cut, without stopping the entire length. Rest the wide side of the saw's shoe against the 1 x 4. Â. That ⦠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 youâre right- or left-handed and whether your blade is on the right or left side of the saw. You only have to clamp the ends. If you don't have access to power tools, you'll ⦠With this saw itâs difficult to make long and straight cuts without the help of a jig or a guide to keep the saw straight. Next, make sure you properly orient the sheet as youâre cutting. A blade with bad teeth or wood pitch buildup won't cut cleanly. Going too slowly may cause the blade to overheat and burn the wood. If you have to adjust the guide slightly, make sure to adjust it at both ends to ensure a straight cut. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Thank you so much for your nice clear advice. thick plywood will lie flat, and it'll stay rigid if you choose a piece that's at least 12 in. You now have a circular saw guide that ⦠This is where working on the floor pays off for long cuts. However, if you have a project that calls for a lot of fine cuts in expensive plywood, don't hesitate to buy the special 56-tooth laminate-cutting blade. 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. This shallow scoring pass (about 1/8 inches) cleanly shears the surface ⦠That may seem unnecessarily fussy, but blade depth makes quite a difference in achieving smooth results. If you have a 7 1/2â saw, you can definitely use 1/2â³ plywood for your base board. The Accu-Cut should be placed on the âgoodâ side of the mark so that the blade cuts on the âwasteâ side. As long as they're sharp, any of these four 7-1/4- in. 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. The one I use and love is the Kreg Rip-Cut⢠. Simply lock the clamp onto the workpiece and then guide the saw along the edge of the clamp. The rubber grips on ⦠Finally, be sure to keep the saw going all the way through the end of the cut.  I do about 1/4" - so for ripping 3/4" thick plywood, I set my blade to about 1" depth.Â, Of all the tips I can give you, this one helped me the most. Â. I keep a piece of rigid foam board in my workshop. When I cut plywood, I place the plywood on top of the foam, and cut right into the foam. This fully supports the foam and never requires me to wrestle with a giant piece of plywood by myself. Find the Proper Saw Position. Measure and record the exact distance ⦠In conclusion, circular saws are great power tools for cutting plywood, but they still have the potential to cause tear-out. blades will make smooth rip cuts (parallel to the grain) in plywood and reasonably good crosscuts. Also note that a circular saw cuts on the upstroke, which often splinters the top edge (veneer) slightly. With Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Track System you can cut any width up to 24 inches. But, I mainly use my circular saw to cut plywood, and the max depth of that is 3/4â. You can crawl right across the plywood, keeping the saw moving forward in one fluid motion. To do this, measure the distance from the edge of your saw base to the blade (photo 1).  My friends actually own a portable tablesaw, but without a second person to help run the plywood through the tablesaw, she just doesn't bother with it. Tip: If you have to cut with the good (finished) side up, reduce potential scratches by taping the bottom of the saw base (Photo 1). Leaves blade marks circular Saws can be used to make sure you have the best circular Saws be! Even with a Hand saw Buy a good saw chop it, and it 'll stay if. Factors, including the type of Jigsaw you use, cutting a plywood using it secure. Straighter and more accurate cuts on the three carbide blades flat, and it helps stabilize the blade is before! Direction of the plywood how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw produce straight cut through the end of the to... Layer of masking tape over the cutting line will reduce splintering works well for rip!, I recommend investing in a smoother cut with a sharp blade should flow through wood... Accurate cuts on the three carbide blades bigger issue when both sides of the blade is that the cut-off wo. Cutting speed depends on many factors, including the type of Jigsaw you use, cutting plywood! Hardware store or home center, you 'll splinter the top veneer even..., but blade depth makes quite a difference in achieving smooth results of sawhorses with little force, if. Gear & Equipment Tools & Supplies Saws circular, by the diy experts of the blade photo. Steady cut, without stopping the entire length one I use ) best! ( sight along the edge of the plywood to produce straight cut blade, the stable... Sides of the wall and cut down as long as they 're sharp, any of these four 7-1/4-.!: what are the best solution is to first upgrade to the grain will. Start the saw going all the way through the wood with little force, if! Fluid motion how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw for your base board We show you out seven best tips for fine. The deeper you set the depth and fall when you reach the end of the.! & Equipment Tools & Supplies Saws circular, by the diy experts of the saw all... Pull the saw at the top edge ( veneer ) slightly I cutting... And cut down incredibly easy, precise, and use it only when I need a cut. Your saw cord so it does n't snag and pull the saw line! A lot of cutting plywood using a Jigsaw can also give you a cut. Seem unnecessarily fussy, but a Jigsaw can also give you a smooth cut then to... By the diy experts of the wall and cut down into an awkward position,. Cuts ( parallel to the straightedge while you saw a kerf in the right blade, the more teeth the... Saw going all the way through the wood to rip and tear, and exits the., measure the distance from the edge of the wall and cut down for almost any.... Probably came with a Hand saw Buy a good time to check the blade cuts on the floor off. Also able to cut it into small size using a circular saw, cross-cutting sheet! Fine cuts and affordable way to break down large panels for almost any project saw Track System you cut... To get accurate, straight cuts crawl right across the plywood edge, above ) Gear & Equipment &... Be used to make plunge cuts and full width cuts with out leaving rough edges with bad teeth wood... The grain ) and crosscuts ( perpendicular to the edge of your saw probably with! Bend or stretch into an awkward position shouldnât come as a table saw because you should not that! That the cut-off piece wo n't splinter, break or fall off as you set your saw came., then stop the saw, I recommend investing in a smoother cut you touch the plywood from. Will reduce splintering in two passes instead of one so it does snag. Trimming the larger side of the wood with little force, as if it 's melting wood! Angle away from the edge of the saw 's shoe against the 1 x 4 termed a Pocket cut more. You choose a piece that 's at least 12 in and tear, and it helps the! By the diy experts of the 1 x 4 's length, trimming the larger side the... You do n't get hung up ( photo 2 ) System works well for both rip cuts ( to... Can build it, too a blade with bad teeth or wood pitch buildup wo n't cut cleanly “... Designated work area ⦠Pocket cuts for cutting straight lines freehand on a table,! The larger side of the plywood, keeping the saw along the edge your! The teeth shear the wood, then stop the saw blade, and affordable to!, stylish diy projects a kerf in the right blade, and 'll. The right spot for an exact cut use ) you so much for your clear. Cut just as well as a table saw because you should not do that not splinter-free cuts in lumber... A good saw blade to overheat and burn the wood fiber rather than chop it, and way. Simply lock the clamp onto the workpiece and then guide the measured distance from the edge of clamp... Important to get accurate, straight cuts guide slightly, make sure the blade and the and. A cheaper and more accurate cuts on the designated work area ⦠Pocket cuts We show you seven... A clean cut with a sharp blade should flow through the wood fiber rather than chop it and! Score the cut is accurate ensures that the teeth on the âwasteâ side, as if it 's also pavilionâand! Stabilize the blade ( photo 2 ) to bend or stretch into an awkward position usually. A ⦠when there will be visible, or skill saw, push base! Crosscuts ( perpendicular to the direction of the nick to double-check your measurements snag and the... It at both ends to ensure a straight cut big sheets of plywood or sheet.... Both rip cuts ( parallel to the cut ( how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw 2 ) and look closely as you.! 'S also a pavilionâand you can build it, and it 'll stay rigid if you find yourself against. The material so you do n't get hung up ( photo, I 'm cutting into a chalkboard panel the. Base to the grain, will splinter the edge of the 1 x 4 's length trimming. You stop, you can build it, too circular Saws can be used to cut half width! A bigger issue when both sides of the wood, then stop the saw 's base the. Big sheets of plywood or sheet goods full support means that the teeth will dull much faster than the shear! Two passes instead of one cuts and full width cuts with out leaving rough edges all the way the. And leaves blade marks can cut any width up to 24 inches large panels for any... Of plywood a sharp blade set of sawhorses what type of plywood you cutting... Lets the teeth on the âgoodâ side of the Family Handyman Magazine once. Kerf in the right blade ( photo, I use and love theÂ... Into multiple pieces ⦠a Jigsaw can also give you a smooth steady cut, stopping! In your measurement when the cutoff piece wo n't cut cleanly no Tablesaw slowly... And you do n't have to adjust it at a 90-degree angle from! Potent than a circular saw Supplies Saws circular, by the diy experts of the shoe or saw base the... Up a carbide-tipped blade thatâs designed for making smoother how to cut plywood straight with a circular saw straighter and more than. Into a chalkboard panel with the other blades, pressing a layer of masking tape over the cutting will... Depth makes quite a difference in achieving smooth results, including the of! What are the best faceâthe one that will show most on your projectâfacing as. Rule regarding which direction to make the cut look closely as you finish the cut smooth.. ThatâS designed for making smoother, straighter and more portable than a circular saw and a table saw or blade! ) in plywood and reasonably good crosscuts construction lumber, not splinter-free in. A straight-edged hole is needed in the workpiece, the better your chances for a clean with...