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Plywood can sometimes be tricky for beginners or those who haven't worked with the material before due to it being quite brittle.
However, in the article below, we'll explain to you everything you need to cut Plywood safely and properly.
How To Cut Plywood With a Circular Saw
Cutting Plywood isn't as straightforward as just turning on the saw and cutting away.
Tip: Use Masking Tape To Absorb The Vibration
Masking tape is a helpful tool as it allows you to mark what direction you're going in and also ensures a straight, uniform line for the entire cut. However, masking tape also adds even more value when cutting.
Due to the significant levels of vibration created by a circular saw, it can often loosen any brittle pieces of the workpiece resulting in a rougher cut. Considering that Plywood is quite brittle, the masking tape is incredibly important in keeping the cut smooth and intact.
Be Sure to Use A Saw Horse Or A Makeshift Worktop
If you're working with a long piece of Plywood, it might be worth using three saw horses as it'll dip in the middle from the weight, one on either side with one in the middle. The dip will affect the precision of the cut if not corrected.
If you don't have multiple sawhorses, you could use three blocks of wood laid on the floor. Make sure that the blocks are high enough off the ground so that your blade doesn't grind against the floor; this will dull or possibly shatter the blade.
Have The Best Side Facing Down
The reason we do this is because of the risk of chipping, otherwise known as tear-out, ruining the board. Due to Plywood being a brittle material, the risk is greater.
Therefore, if you place the best-looking side facing the ground, it'll be the unused side that could possibly be chipped when making the initial cut.
Always Research What Blade Suits The Task
The blade is an important part of the cutting process, probably the most important. The blade that you should be using will have between 60 to 80 carbide-tipped teeth. Carbide is a great material as it stays sharper for longer.
The reason why you'd want a higher amount of teeth is that the gullet spacing will be smaller, meaning the material will be removed less aggressively, resulting in a smoother finish.
You should also set the blade to cut just slightly more than the board's thickness; this will allow you to cut the full width of the board.
Conclusion
Cutting Plywood doesn't need to be a difficult task when following our advice and instruction. The most important thing you can do is to find the correct blade, so ensure that this is your number one priority.
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