Thread: What's the best tool for cutting plywood sheets?

A panel saw.

Failing that a normal table saw or a sturdy straight edge and circular saw.

Triple chip blades make nice clean cuts.

Quick!... Somebody say "Track-Saw/Plunge-Saw", before one of the Darksiders very smugly says in a Sean Connery accent:
"A good hand-rip-saw, and a steady hand..." (that's meant to be them, adding the "winking" Smiley by the way...)

A Track or Plunge-Saw (same thing...) is further down the Circular-Saw evolutionary path that Vernon has already suggested. They're very much like a Circular-Saw, except that they invariably have machined cast-alloy bases, spring-loaded riving knives, and a pivoting spring-loaded superstructure and blade that swings down and back up again before and after a cut (Don't worry - it'll make sense to you when you see one...) The important bit is that they have their own system of extruded aluminium rails/tracks that they slide along on, and their alloy bases are grooved in just the right place to sit captively atop a little upwards-pointing fin in said rails/tracks, that keeps the saw on a dead-straight path (regardless of whether you've got steady hands or not...) And they're usually set up in such a way that the edge of the track conveniently defines the line of the cut.

Festool is the dearest brand, Makita is in the middle, and TradeTools are the cheapest. They're a brilliant bit of gear if you've got the cash to spare; otherwise - if you've already got a good alloy-based Circular Saw - there is a natty little jig that you can make up that will ultimately do the job just as good as a Plunge Saw, except that you will have to concentrate a bit more when pushing through the cut. Somebody else with a good memory will be able to post a link to a Thread that talks about it. But if you haven't already got a decent Circ', and you've got a fair bit of this ply to cut, then this might be a good opportunity to justify a Plunge Saw.

Now, having said all of this, it's very important to mention that the practicality of the whole concept will hinge on whether or not you can attach some sort of "square" or "protractor" to the underside of the Rail, in order to effortlessly obtain perpendicular-to-the-edge cuts each and every time. Festool definitely make this sort of accessory; I'd be surprised if Makita didn't also; TradeTools I'm not so sure... However! - I have also heard the rumour that the Rail systems are inter-compatible (so maybe you can shoehorn a Makita-brand Protractor onto a TradeTools-brand Rail...) You'd have to look into it. If you can't do so, your best bet will be to knock up the simple Jig that I referred to earlier, because you could easily add a timber cross-piece at one end to act as your "square".

Anyhow, here's a link to get you started: TradeTools

Only trouble is, there's no TradeTools stores down as far as Wollongong. If I stumble across the Thread with that Jig in it, I'll post a link.

Best Wishes,
Batpig.

No one has answered the question - what is the BEST tool to make straight, square cuts for plywood sheets. So - here it is

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVJmLJTy958"]YouTube - MARTIN sliding table saw presentation[/ame]

Although if you have a bit more space, the Holzma does a reasonable job

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t1om9VBdkw"]YouTube - HOLZMA CNC PANEL SAW WOODWORKING[/ame]

Originally Posted by RossM

No one has answered the question - what is the BEST tool to make straight, square cuts for plywood sheets. So - here it is

If everyone wouldn't mind raiding their piggy-bank to buy me the Martin Saw I will die a happy man.

A step back from the Martin Saw would be a Triton 2000 table with a large extension table. I've cut up a few with mine and it gives straight accurate cuts.

The problem with cutting sheets of plywood for the home hobbyist is that on big sheets, it is easier to take the saw to the plywood than it is to take the plywood to the saw as you would with any sort of table saw.

So, for the average hobbyist mug, it is hard to go past using a circular saw with a guide made from a bit of masonite and the straight edge of a narrow strip of plywood.....

Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch


This method is written up in lots of places but here is one website that shows the method... Methods for Cutting Plywood and Other Sheet Goods


This is the method that I use and it works perfectly well.


Of course if money is burning a hole in your pockets then by all means go for the manufactured guide options mentioned above.






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I use a pro-grip fence, clamps itself directly to the sheet, then your circ saw rides against, it is low profile so the motor clears it easily. For 2.4m rips I use a 250mm wide (or so) piece of ply (preferably cut by a commercial panel saw) for a fence/guide.

This is the one I made, it is like what Charleville describes.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f44/ji...-router-77558/