How to Cut Birch Plywood for Shelves
Birch plywood is a good choice for building furniture. It is also an expensive choice, if cutting it results in splinters and bad edges that make a lot of waste. Cutting birch plywood for shelves requires a sharp blade and a solid work surface to prevent splintering the edge as you cut. The best way to go about the task is to purchase a sheet of regular plywood to act as a worktable for your birch plywood cutting. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Straightedge
- Sheet of standard plywood
- Sawhorses
- Circular saw with plywood cutting blade
- Safety goggles
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Instructions
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Measure the size you need the shelves to be with a tape measure, and transfer the measurement to a birch plywood sheet. Mark the birch plywood where you want to cut it, using a pencil on the veneer side of the sheet. Use a straightedge to make straight lines for a cut line. Remember to measure twice, and cut once.
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Place a sheet of standard plywood the same size as the birch on a pair of sawhorses. This provides a stable cutting surface for the birch that helps prevent splintering.
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Position the birch plywood on top of the first plywood sheet. The veneer side with the cut line mark should face upward.
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Install a fine-tooth plywood cutting blade into your circular saw. Adjust the sole plate so the depth of the blade is half the thickness of the birch plywood.
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Cut the birch plywood along the cut line with the saw. Once you make the first pass, release the saw's power trigger and allow the blade to come to a complete stop.
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Adjust the sole plate so the depth of the blade is slightly more than the thickness of the birch. Make the final cut through the birch plywood with the saw following the initial cut line.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear safety goggles when operating a power saw.
