Plywood is a staple in the home improvement industry it’s found at many different retailers.
It’s also a great alternative to solid wood for furniture and other projects around the house. But cutting plywood can be difficult without the right tools.
A circular saw is an easy way to cut through this hard surface, but it can take time to set up the saw before you start cutting.
This guide will teach you how to quickly and easily cut plywood with your circular saw!
Table of Contents
Tips for Cutting Plywood with a Circular Saw
1) Start By Setting Up The Workplace
Set up the work area by making sure that there’s enough space to cut your plywood without it hitting anything and securely attach it to the floor.
Using only screws is not recommended as the wood might move around while cutting, so try using clamps or other heavy objects on either side of the board.
2) Attach The Plywood To The Securing Mechanisms
Lay the plywood on top of any supporting mechanisms you’ve set up in step one.
It’s better to move this board around rather than your circular saw, so make sure it’s as close to where you’ll be cutting as possible without being in the way.
3) Make A Series Of Cutting Marks Around The Plywood
Once you’ve laid the plywood on top of any supporting mechanisms, make your cutting marks with a pencil or chalk.
This will ensure that all of your cuts are uniform and straight so they end up lining up.
Now it’s time to start cutting! Make sure to use either a carpenter square or a metal ruler for accurate measurements and positions before making your first cut.
4) Make The Second Marks
Once you’ve made your first cut, make the second marks. This will help increase accuracy and prevent any slippage when making the final cuts.
It’s a good idea to use either chalk or pencil for this step so that it can be easily removed before moving on with cutting out all of your pieces!
Now, measure how much material is left around each piece (as shown in my previous post).
Make two more measurements because one might not be accurate enough due to having a large board.
Cut off the excess plywood until there are only two even sides remaining these should match up with what was originally measured from Step One.
5) Clamp The Wood And Cut
Cut along your marked lines with a circular saw. Clamp down any pieces that may move while cutting, and make sure to follow all safety guidelines before proceeding.
You can also clamp two boards together at the same time when making this last cut so you don’t have to change out clamps as often.
Make sure everything remains securely in place until the entire piece has been cut through wiggling it around could cause damage.
Remove away excess material if needed, then continue on with other cuts for whatever project you’re completing.
6) Adjust The Saw Blade
Adjust the saw blade according to how thick your plywood is.
The standard thickness for most boards ranges from three-sixteenths of an inch to one and a half inches, so make sure you’re cutting at the right depth.
For this last cut, slide in two wooden blocks or scraps as spacers on either side of the piece being cut this will help ensure that all pieces are uniform in size.
Make sure they don’t fall out while you’re cutting through.
7) Put More Weight On The Area You Are Not Cutting
It’s important to keep the board you’re cutting as steady and level as possible, so make sure your hands are on one side of the blade.
On top of that, put more weight on the idle part of the board in order to avoid it from tipping or becoming unstable while moving through a cut.
8) Place Your Power Tool Along The Edge Of The Wood
Your circular saw is capable of cutting in both directions so it doesn’t matter whether you’re left-handed or right-handed.
Place the edge of the saw against your board and start slowly moving through a cut, applying light pressure to get an even result.
9) Make The Cut
Keep the saw moving smoothly and consistently in one direction. If you’re making a cut that’s going to go past the edge of your board, make sure that you’re not using all of the blades without leaving any room for error.
10) Power Off And Unplug The Saw
When you’re done with the cut, power off and unplug your saw. Never put it down without disconnecting from an outlet or after shutting it off doing so will lead to injury as well as damage to your equipment.
Quick Safety Tips For Using A Circular Saw
- wear protective gear, including goggles and gloves.
- make sure the area is well lit for better visibility.
- know your skill level: start with an easy project to get more comfortable before tackling tougher ones.
- take regular breaks every fifteen minutes don’t overdo it!
FAQ
What Should I Do If The Blade Gets Stuck In My Cut?
If the saw is not turning at all, it’s possible that there may have been a power interruption or some other issue with your cord.
Press and hold down on the foot pedal for about 20 seconds to see if this solves the problem.
If it doesn’t, then you’ll need to reset your machine before continuing operation remove any debris clogging up the blades first!
How Many Cuts Can I Make Without Changing Blades?
It depends on what size of blade you’re using but generally speaking we recommend every two-three boards unless they are thinner than an inch thick.
Generally, eight feet long by six inches wide will give one three decent-sized cuts on a standard three-foot-long blade.
How Do I Avoid Splinters?
It’s important to make sure you’re not cross-cutting or going deeper than the thickness of your wood when cutting plywood with a circular saw.
You can also use quality blades that are designed for finishing (like our Diablo DuraBlade!) which will reduce splintering and chipping significantly.
Final Verdict
in conclusion, plywood is not too difficult to cut with a circular saw if you know what blade size and type will work best.
