Thread: MDF Cut To Size, 16 Cuts Or 10?

I can see the 16 cuts. The first cut gives you the 660 wide strip, that is then cut into the 4 panels (4 cuts since there is 20mm waste to cut off last panel, then the other bit of the sheet is cross cut into the first 700 width, that is cut into 2 panels plus waste (3 cuts) which is repeated twice with final panel trimmed to size on 2 sides.

Guess it depends on how the cutting is done. I can see doing the job with 12 cuts but it probably isn’t the way I would do it in real life.
- cut off the excess top and side - 2 cuts
- cut lengthways down the “middle” - 1 cut
- cut the LH side into 4 pieces - 3 cuts
- cut the right hand side horizontal into 4 pieces - 3 cuts.
- cut the RH lower three panels in two - 3 cuts

If it was me on my table saw, I see 16 cuts as being the best/easiest route with minimal fence changes.

Ok thanks for the replies, can see it now....my lack of experience

No they charged you for 16 inside faces. No way it would take 16 'cuts.'

10 cuts to do the job.

I use maxcut, a free program to do the same by the way.

Originally Posted by Bendigo Bob

No they charged you for 16 inside faces. No way it would take 16 'cuts.'

10 cuts to do the job.

I use maxcut, a free program to do the same by the way.

to clarify, there is no way I can see anyone being able to make 16 cuts

To get to 16 you would need to make the first lengthwise cut count for 4 to start with, but it is only 1 cut

You can get over size blanks with only 10 cuts, but they wouldn't be 'cut to size'. There is waste on two sides of the sheet in that cut list.

Ah, thanks Fuzzie. I think I need a bigger screen, or new glasses

Or both!

Just ran through it and I can't make it less than 18, basically what Fuzzie did, but I think he forgot the trim cuts.

1. Trim long edge
2. Trim short edge
3. 660 rip
4. 660 x 660 cross cut
5. 660 x 660 cross cut
6. 660 x 660 cross cut
7. 420 x 660 cross cut
8. 700 cross cut
9. 700 cross cut
10. 700 cross cut
11. 360 x 700 rip
12. 360 x 700 rip
13. 360 x 700 rip
14. 180 x 700 rip
15. 180 x 700 rip
16. 180 x 700 rip
17. 300 rip
18. 540 x 300 cross cut

If anyone can make a step by step list where every part gets cut on all 4 sides that's shorter than 18, please post it as I'm extremely curious how you get there.

Why do the ones on the left have to be cut on all four sides?

Because that's the only way you will get a guaranteed straight, square and clean cut. Maybe you'd get away without a trim cut on MDF, but it's not best practise.

If that’s the case then the 3rd cut couldn’t be 660 as it would leave nothing to trim for the 4th (LH) side.

Why not? Standard sheet is 1220 wide, plenty of material for a trim cut

True but your have cut to 660. That leaves 560 which is 540 plus your 20 waste. Wouldn’t you need to cut to eg 670 to allow you to trim the LH side down to 660?

All the first trim cut does is clean up the edge, it doesn't matter if it's half the width of the blade. I'm working on the left side being the start edge, so you trim a couple of mm, then rip 660