Plywood Cutting Tips for Clean Edges and Minimal Waste: If you have ever tried cutting plywood and ended up with crooked lines or splintered edges than usable pieces – you are not the only person. Whether the person is building furniture, shelving, or cabinets, chances are the person reach for a plywood sheet sooner or later. Plywood is one of the most versatile building materials out there. To cut plywood cleanly as well as efficiently can be surprising.
But you do not have to worry about this because with certain smart techniques and pro tips, you can get smooth and accurate cuts. This blog will guide you through all the required tricks that do not require fancy tools. There are plenty of Plywood Manufacturers but Conforsply guide you about the Plywood Cutting Tips for Clean Edges and Minimal Waste that are scrutinized below:
How to Cut Plywood Cleanly
Explore the Plywood Cutting Tips for Clean Edges and Minimal Waste that are described below:
Use the Right Blade for the Job
One of the crucial tool is blade to cut plywood. A general-purpose blade get the job done but if want clean cuts then blade choice is everything. Therefore, use a fine-tooth blade like 60 to 80 teeth(higher) for circular saws as well as table saws. Always keep the blade sharp because dull blade increases friction, and burn the wood.
Cut with the Right Face Up or Down
It is imperative to cut plywood with placing the blade on the right direction. The blade direction affects which side of the plywood is more prone to splintering. Therefore, have a look at the perfect directions that consider by Plywood Manufacturers in Yamunanagar:
- Circular saws cut on the upstroke – place the good side down
- Table saws cut on the down stroke – place the good side up
Score Before Cut
To avoid chipping the veneer, especially on fine plywood or cabinet-grade, lightly score the cut line with a utility knife before sawing. Have a look at the certain points How to Cut Plywood Cleanly:
- Mark cut with a straightedge
- Run a utility knife with light pressure along line
- Then proceed with cut.
Use a Track Saw or Guide Rail
Freehand cutting with a circular saw seem quick but leads to crooked lines as well as wasted materials. If you want clean and accurate cuts use a track saw or you can make your own straight-edge guide. For this you need a straight board clamped securely to your workpiece. It will keep your saw on track and ensures professional-looking results. Therefore,
- Ensure straight cuts
- Avoid blade drift
- Decrease waste from miscuts
Clamp a Sacrificial Backer(or Use Zero-clearance)
Plywood consists several thin layers, and the exit point of the blade is where tear-out frequently occurs. So, to minimize these breaks use a backer board underneath your cut. This backer board is also known as MDF or scrap plywood. You can also use a zero-clearance insert on your table saw that surrounds the blade with minimal space to prevent splintering. To get the cleanest results, sandwiching the plywood between two sacrificial layers.
Support the Entire Sheet
There are several plywood sheets that are heavy and flexible to cut on your own. If unsupported, then there are maximum chances of bowing, snaping, or shifting, and damaging the sheet. Have a look at things which you can use:
- A set of sawhorses with cross-supports
- A DIY torsion box cutting table
- A few foam insulation panels on the ground(inexpensive)
Plan Cuts to Minimize Waste
This is one of the important Plywood Cutting Tips for Clean Edges and Minimal Waste. Strategic planning is imperative to reduce waste. So, there are certain steps which you can keep in mind while cutting any piece.
How to Cut Plywood Cleanly
- Draw a cutting diagram which would lead you to the right way
- Always factor in blade kerf about ⅛” (adds up across multiple cuts)
- Group similar cuts together for efficiency
- Do not forget to measure twice to minimize waste
Smooth the Edges After Cutting
After cutting plywood neat and clean there is certain roughness left on the edges of plywood. Therefore, a light sanding is pivotal that is with 150-220 grit sandpaper. It can clean up small splinters as well as provide you with a finished edge of plywood. Add some other things to give a polished look that are:
- Edge banding with glue or iron-on
- Atrim router with a flush-cut for precise finishing
