How to Cut Strips of Plywood
Plywood is a very versatile material made from thin sections of wood that are pressed and glued together in alternating perpendicular directions. This makes for a very strong material that won't shrink or warp and also can stand up against humidity and temperature changes. Plywood generally comes in 4-foot by 8-foot sheets of various thicknesses (3/4, 1/2 and 5/8 inch being common) and is best cut in a horizontal position with a circular saw. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Carpenter's pencil
- Straightedge
- 4 2-inch by 4-inch wood studs
- Safety goggles
- Circular saw
Instructions
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Place the drywall on the floor with its better side finish facing down. Measure and mark the drywall length or width into strips of the desired size -- use a tape measure, carpenter's pencil and straightedge, or a chalk line.
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Measure the thickness of the drywall, and adjust the circular saw's blade so it is 1/2 inch deeper than the drywall thickness. Most circular saws have an adjusting wing nut on their side to change the depth of the saw cut.
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Remove the plywood from the floor, and place four 2-inch by 4-inch wall studs on the floor, parallel to each other and resting on their sides. Rest the plywood on the studs (better side facing down and markings facing up). Move the studs so that three of the studs are on one side of the first marked line to be cut, and one stud is on the other side of the first marked line.
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Put on safety goggles. Line up the circular saw blade at one end of the first line to be cut, squeeze the saw's trigger and cut slowly along the length of the marked line. Adjust the studs underneath the plywood to cut the second marked line. Repeat this process for as many marked lines on the plywood as need to be cut.
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Tips & Warnings
Always face the plywood with its best side facing down and away from the circular saw's blade. As the saw blade cuts upwards, this will help reduce the number of splinters on the plywood's good side.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
