Thread: "Opening" a box with a circular saw

I think the router would be the safest and best way using a straight bit would do the job if you raise the bit incrementally until you are nearly all the way through and then finish by hand sawing and sanding.

John
you wouldn't consider using a spiral upcut bit in place of the straight bit?


ian

3 WING SLOT CUTTER 3 wing carbide tipped with 5/16" bore, 1-7/8" large diameter. Buy as individual cutters or plus arbour and bearing. Cuts 1/2" deep when used with our arbour and bearing.

Cutter Only

ITEM NO.Width of CutterBoreLarge D.PriceQuantityOrder NowJL3011/16"5/16"1-7/8"$15.00

ARBOR WITH BEARING Only

ITEM NO.ShankOverallBearingPriceQuantityOrder NowJL3181/4"3"3/4"$15.00JL3191/2"3"3/4"$15.00 Use one of these slot cutters..!/16' wide slot and as clean as.
Use your router fence to control depth of cut.Can cut 2 sides right through,and other sides very close to through.Then cut with knife or fine saw.Slight rub and top is cleaned up.

From your options I would recommend the router. Depending on how thick your sides are you might need to make several passes. With a small diameter cutter go slowly as they can break easily. On the last cut for each side (if multiple passes are required) remove the box and you will note that some shavings are still in the groove. Place some masking or other tape over this before moving on to the next side. This will stop the cut sides from collapsing when the last cut is made. Makes for a very smooth cut.

Seems like the consensus is to go for the router option. Will definitely try it with my first box which I'll start on this weekend.

Originally Posted by ian

John
you wouldn't consider using a spiral upcut bit in place of the straight bit?

I was wondering this as well. I've never actually used one of those spiral bits, but I've heard that they perform a lot better and produce a better cut - is that correct?

Cheers,

WILL

i usually cut mine on the Triton just enough blade height to clear the thickness ,mark your sides first so you dont get them mixed up when the cut is finished, go very carefully last few mm,never had any trouble,then clean up with a full sheet of sandpaper to take out any saw marks,usually on a large piece of mdf.

Here it Taiwan most carpenters make thier own table saws by mounting a circular saw under sheet of plywood with clips or straps then cutting up through the top of the plywood/table.

You could try that. Though I'm sure OSHA would never approve of it....

Once you have the circular saw mounted under and the blade coming throuh you tack a board down to become the fence and run your lumber along it.

When I had a counter, display shelves and cupboards custom made for my school, the guy showed up with his tools, had a large amount of plywood delivered and first made up his saw table with slide. Then proceeded to make a display that I'm sure anyone here would be proud to have built.

Amazing what can be done with a bit of inginuity.

I usually cut the boxes open by hand saw, working from each corner,
Regards
David

Originally Posted by jackliveshere

I was wondering this as well. I've never actually used one of those spiral bits, but I've heard that they perform a lot better and produce a better cut - is that correct?
Cheers,
WILL

Spirals are a lot better, and more expensive. The upcuts remove the chips from the cutting edges and allow faster cutting without burning. The downcuts push the piece onto the cnc table and help prevent tearout when routing manufactured boards like ply.

As you may have guessed, they're used a lot in cnc routing. If your using upcuts and cutting fast and deep, you need a strong vaccum table in your cnc machine (Or use a different type of hold down like clamping) to compensate for the lifting forces. You should get on fine cutting open your box with a straight bit.

Originally Posted by David Mitchell

I usually cut the boxes open by hand saw, working from each corner,
Regards
David

While I usually use a TS, I've found that David's way, using a Jap saw, is actually a lot easier and more accurate than you would expect.