How Can We Get Perfect Clean Cuts In Plywood?
Learn various methods on how can we get perfect clean cuts in plywood?
Yeah, it’s easier to just cut a piece of wood or good sheets with different tools. But it is not an easy task when we take plywood for woodworking. Yes! Mostly, plywood sheet is used from home improving to shop designing. So these sheets are cut in layers, as a result irregular splinters cause in the plywood underneath.
A woodworker has to face the problem of how to cut long lumber, whether by hand or with the power tool. Finesse also matters in this way to yield more perfect results.
But, wait a second, if you want to know ”How to get perfect, clean cuts in plywood.” Fortunately, I’m here to guide you to different ways of cleaning cuts in plywood. Sit tight, give this guide a thorough read. I’m sure by the end of it, you will come to know more about clean, perfect and smooth cuts in plywood.
I have used plywood in my various projects, and I will share my experiences with you about how I cut long and lumber sheets of plywood through different ways.
How Can We Get Perfect Clean Cuts In Plywood?
There are different ways of getting perfect and clean cuts in plywood, its detail is mentioned below!
Set The Position Of Plywood
The first point is that you have to select the position of plywood on a worktable or the ground. For getting more perfect and pretty good results, I have experienced cutting down the plywood sheet on the floor, because it gives proper and stable support along with smooth and splinter-free cuts. As the plywood is more stable, there are many chances for perfect smooth cuts.
Set The Right Blade, And Use It Properly
It is very important to set the blade exactly according to the thickness of the wood sheet. The blade that is used in your circular saw, traditional saw, miter saw or a table saw doesn’t fulfill the requirements you need. These blades are used for irregular cuts in construction grade soft lumber. But for cutting like hardwood and plywood you need to improve or enhance the blade vitality. For this reason, a blade with a $15-20 carbide tip is used to cut the thickness of plywood, while an 80 TPI blade is invested for table and miter saws.
- Choose a carbide blade with a high tooth count.
- Select the size of blade that will fit for your circular saw.
Adjust The Right Depth Of The Blade
When you are going to cut your plywood, adjust your saw blade to the right depth. The blade must not be set so deep or too shallow, the adjustment of the blade must be appropriate.
- Set the saw about .25 inches(0.6cm) below the sheet.
- While cutting a plywood sheet that is .75 inches(1.9cm)thick, adjust your blade to 1 inch (2.5cm)deep.
Support the sheet
I took a 4′ x 8’ sheet of plywood, that is unhandy to cut with any tool. Laying it on the floor because its size adjustment on the table is something difficult, and also it is tight against the fence. I used a roller stand to put the thing straight, I used it as a reinforcement. You can take help either from your friend or family member. I used a circular saw to cut the long lumber plywood sheet in order to get a straight and clean cut, and pushed the saw at a consistent feed rate. As a result I got a splinter free, smooth and perfect cut in plywood.
- Put the 2x4s across two sawhorses, it will help to keep the sheet straight. You can cut it into the tops with your circular saw.
- You can use a piece of rigid foam insulation sheet instead of sawhorses. Lay the foam on the ground and spread the sheet of plywood on top. Make sure the wood is fixed around on top of the foam board.
- By using the foam board method, you can easily crawl across the board while cutting. There is no need for the board snapping off at the end of the cut.
Rip With Good Face Down
By using a circular saw, put your plywood on the cutting surface with the good face down. Placing the sheet with a good face down will surely have a smooth surface. When the teeth of the blade enter the sheet from
underneath and exit at the top. It will cause some chipping or scratching.
Put the circular saw on the mark line. Make sure that the blade is over your cut line. Turn your saw on, and run the shoe of the saw along your guide. Be carefully, make your cut straight.
- Wear safety google at the time of cutting. Keep your fingers away from the blade.
- Keep eyes on one’s toes for the circular saw as you cut, keep your job area clean.
Zero Clearance Insert
A zero clearance is a term used in woodworking, it is a minuscule gap between the side of the blade and the kerf on the insert. You can get clean and perfect cuts by using a zero clearance insert. It removes the gap around the blade in the shoe. In the case of a circular saw, attach a compressed hardboard to the shoe of your saw, and lower the blade to cut a zero clearance slot.
Factory Cut edge
I prefer the use of “Factory Cut” for long cuts in the plywood. In order to clamp the ends, it is very important to clamp it in the right spot for an exact cut. For this purpose, evaluate the distance from the edge of your saw base to the blade. Also include this count to the width of your cut, after marking the plywood at each end then clamp the straight edge.
Blade Intensity
The blade intensity plays a vital role in cutting the plywood sheet. If you are just pushing the saw and the blade is dull or the blade has no resistance power, in result it leaves blade marks. For a smooth and perfect cut the blade should be sharp and fast.
Basically, you should set the blade up to the wood level that’s why to stop kickbacks the power tools. By lifting up the blade you can even change the direction of the blade, through which teeth actually enter the wood. It can transfer the blade from an angled cut to the perpendicular cut. This change is really important and you need to be much careful during your cuts.
Note: the rise of the blade is not more than 1” above the gullets.
Tear out
Tear out are ragged cuts that appear on the wood after cutting. It appears only on one side of your jobsite. By using zero clearance board, making a scoring cut and slowing down your cutting rate, you can prevent tear out.
Masking Tape
When you are cutting plywood, paste blue masking tape to both sides on the cut line and join the wood fibers. Make sure that it is firmly secured. After this, put off the tape safely to overcome the splinters.
A Major Project
My team has recently had a mega project of shop’s window execution. Which is thoroughly made up of plywood with circular saw. Basically, it is a unique theme representing the idea of a train in which dummies are drenched in finest hues and classic artful design.
Conclusion
To sum up, in this article, how can we get perfect and clean cuts in plywood? I have described the different ways of getting perfect cuts in plywood. This article will also help you in setting the blade, zero clearance and so on.
FAQs
Q. How do you cut intricate designs in wood?
A. The circular saw can give intricate patterns that would not be possible with a traditional or an ordinary saw. The vitality of the blade makes the cut more strong and forceful.
Q. Is plywood perfectly square?
A. The factory edges of the plywood sheets are straight and square enough for most practical purposes, if it is not damaged.
Q. What is reverse cut wood?
A. A reversible blade is used on materials with pre finished surfaces. It is used to minimize the risk of chipping or nicking during the cutting process.
