Thread: A vent

Originally Posted by ozhunter

I went to my local branch of a large hardware chain today. I have had them cut sheets of ply on the panel saw they have in the timber shop, on previous occasions.

I wanted to get some Formply cut on the panel saw,

Originally Posted by Sturdee

Actually it's company policy not to cut form ply to size. Some time ago I saw an official notice in the panel cutting area of the Nunawading, Vic, store directing staff not to cut formply but only chipboard or MDF for customers.

So the rant, and all subsequent comments, are ill informed.


Peter, who doesn't subscribe to the "Peter Principle", another ill formed assumption.

Originally Posted by ozhunter

Sorry Sturdee

A month ago, they cut up 8 1200 x 2400 sheets of 19mm ply for me and didn't raise an eyebrow, and they where going to cut Marine ply, until I changed to ordinary ply to suit the job.

Hmm, there is a big differences between ply, marine ply and Formply.

Normal ply and Marine ply is easy on saws but Formply is a different kettle of fish

We don't cut yellow tongue, green tongue or red tongue either. The resins in these timbers cause the blade to gum up and jam. But don't let this stop anyone from bashing us Bunnies workers, we love getting paid min wage to cop abuse from angry customers.

Bought a mower there recently. Got great advice from a nice bloke who knew what he was talking about. Went back and thanked him the next Saturday. (Off topic but a bit of balance)

John, your explanation is what I should have got from the timber yard. "Hard on blades" is a cop-out, throw away line.

I'm not bashing anybody. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a proper answer from an employee, in any business, to a question that is directly related to the job they are doing. Regardless of how much they get paid to do it. I was not rude or abusive to anyone, then or now.

The boffins in the complaints dept. haven't even bothered to acknowledge that I sent them an email. Not even an automated "yep, got it, we'll get back to you shortly" and I wasn't rude or abusive to them either.

Try Mr Plywood

This a little bit after the fact. I expect all is resolved now, but below is a simple jig for cutting sheet material without too much difficulty. I have couple of these jigs at 1200mm and a couple at 2400mm.

I did not take these pic especially to show the jig as they came from another thread so it doesn't show the saw in position. The saw is run with the motor over the central guide rail so has to be lifted sufficiently to clear. It does mean a slight loss of cutting depth, but is not an issue for sheet material. Use the manufacturer's edge to run your saw against and leave enough material on the bottom section so that the first time it is used it cuts to the width of the saw. In the pic I was cutting 32mm thickness.

Clamp the work on the material behind the guide.

On my guide I have cut one side to suit my 235mm saw and the other side for the 185mm saw. There is of course no interchangeability between brands of saw. A new saw means a new jig. A different type of replacement blade can also affect whether the guide is exactly right.

Of course it is easiest to get the pros to cut yours sheets, but if all else fails...

Regards
Paul



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