Power Tool Recommendation to Cut a Piece of Plywood?
Shurafa asked:
I have a large number of 4′ x 8′ pieces of .25 inch thick plywood that I need cut in half to both 4′ x ‘4 and 2′ x 8.
I have a large number of 4′ x 8′ pieces of .25 inch thick plywood that I need cut in half to both 4′ x ‘4 and 2′ x 8.
What it the optimal type of saw for this type of job and can you link me to a page that sells one.
I am basically looking for something that makes exact cuts for large pieces of wood.
Ok so it looks like a table saw is the tool I need. Would any table saw work for this or to I need a specific size since the piece of wood I am working with is so large?
Question posted courtesy of: Daniel
You Ask, We Answer
February 6th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
if you dont havea table saw; try a band saw
February 9th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
The least expensive way would be to use a circular saw with a straight edge clamped to plywood to get a nice straight cut. Another way is a table saw, would need a large one to accommodate 4 X 8 sheets.
I use a circular saw.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Believe it or not, those battery operated circular saws are great for that job. I like them because you don’t have to worry about cutting that darn cord like I used to always do:))
Just go to Sears, Walmart, Kmart or Ace Hardware.
February 11th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
A Circular saw with a very fine cutting blade works well if you can cut a straight line or build a fence for it…If you hav a table saw large enought works too…Or the best approch is to go to Home Depot and or Lowes and have them sut the pieces you want to the exact size..there is a small fee for this but if you want it done right pay the price..
February 14th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Circular saw would do the trick, you can get inexpensive ones for 25-30 dollars. You would need a straightedge clamped to the wood and be sure to measure the offset of the blade to the guard to know where to place the straightedge to cut the wood exactly in half. The other option is to have it cut on an A-frame at your local home center. Most places will do one cut for free per piece of wood purchased.
February 17th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Table saw is the tool. If this is a one time thing, just take the piece to a cabinet shop (or whatever wood shop) and they should size your lumber for a reasonable price (it’s just a few cuts!).
February 20th, 2008 at 12:16 am
I would use a circular saw. I wouldn’t go out and buy a table saw for this…You’ll have a lot more uses with the “hand” saw. With practice, you can get very accurate with them( owning a good saw helps). A finer blade(more teeth) is best but not manditory. A cheap new blade should be fine… or ok… especially when cutting osb or particle board. You probably will be ok without clamping a straight edge unless you are trying to make fine furniture or you have Parkinsons desease… (sorry). Its “best” to set your saws blade depth to just a bit more than the thickness of the board your cutting…No biggie… Sometimes with veneers, you might want to run a very sharp ultity knife along the cut line first before using the saw.( I always do this when trimming the bottom of a door…)With alot of cuts, this may not be practical. Making a “jig” may…be…Also, you might be able to cut more than one board at a time. My advice, if you could…have the Depot or Lowes do it for you while u wait. I’m a former pro and I sometimes used them…Beware…it may not be precise or clean cut…Depending on what your needs are it may well be worth the charge for extra cuts. Remember measure three times. Cut once.
Cheers
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:16 pm
i would go with the circular saw and straight edge…put the finish side down when you cut it
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:35 am
the tool for this job is a panel saw. if you were building a shop you would buy a big one like they have at depot and blowes (they don’t sell them they have one mounted in the store for their use). a table saw will work but cutting a 4′ x 8′ sheet on a table saw is not easy (you’d have to spend big $$$ to get a table saw that has the ability to make a cut at 48″). check this. this is basically a circular saw but it comes with a 55″ guide. you just put the guide down on your mark and cut a perfectly straight line.