How to Cut Plywood to Size
Plywood is a common construction material made of multiple, thin layers of softwood or hardwood glued together. Each of these layers is at a right angle to the one below, lending increased strength to the material. Plywood sheets come in a number of dimensions, though 4- by 8-foot sheets are the most common. Awkward and floppy, cutting large plywood sheets to size with a table saw can be difficult. There are a number of ways, however, to make cutting the sheets easier, more exact, with minimal chipping. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Plywood sheet
- Pencil
- Chalk line
- Tape measure
- Circular Saw
- Table clamps
- Safety Goggles
Instructions
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1
Lay the plywood sheet, good-side down, on a stable work surface.
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2
Measure the new length and/or width dimensions you'll be cutting the plywood sheet to and mark on the sides of the sheet with a pencil. Snap a chalk line between these points so that you have a clear cutting guide for your circular saw.
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3
Extend the side of the sheet to be cut over the edge of the work table by a few inches to avoid cutting into the table.
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4
Place a 2-by-4 longer than the plywood sheet down on the sheet and line up one edge of the 2-by-4 in a way that by buttressing the rectangular guide of your circular saw against it, the blade of the saw is directly over the chalk line. Tightly clamp the 2-by-4 to the plywood sheet with table clamps once in position. The 2-by-4 will be your cutting guide.
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5
Put on safety goggles and plug in circular saw.
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Make a shallow pass down the chalk line, with the edge of the circular saw's rectangular guide buttressed up against the clamped-down 2-by-4. Forging a groove down the line before cutting it through will help prevent splintering and chipping.
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7
Make a second full-depth cutting pass down the line with your circular saw, letting the excess plywood fall to the ground.
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References
- Photo Credit plywood texture image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
