How to Score Plywood
Cutting finished plywood causes the wood fibers around the cut to splinter and tear away from the surface of the plywood. Tear-outs will destroy a piece of wood you are cutting for a finished wood project. Scoring creates a shallow cut across the plywood sheet. The scored area reduces friction when creating the finished cut and eliminates tear-out. Using the correct scoring method is essential to producing a clean cut on all grades of finished plywood.
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Instructions
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Loosen a table saw fence and slide it away from the saw blade. Set the end of a tape measure against the fence. Move the fence until the tape measure reads the desired measurement. Lock the fence in place.
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Turn the blade height handle -- located on the side or front of the table saw -- counterclockwise until the blade sits 1/32 inch above the table saw bed.
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Turn on the table saw. Place one edge of a scrap piece of plywood against the fence with the finished side facing away from the table saw bed. Slide the plywood slowly across the table saw bed to place a score cut across the plywood sheet.
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Shut off the table saw. Flip over the plywood and inspect the scored line. Lower the saw blade if you notice any signs of tear-out around the score cut.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep your hands clear of a spinning table saw blade when scoring plywood.
Wear eye protection when scoring plywood.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
