Your trusty jigsaw is the best tool to help you cut plywood. You will be able to cut plywood with ease after a few practice sessions. This blog will show you how to use your jigsaw to make plywood cuts like a pro.
You don’t need a jigsaw to make plywood cuts. You can quickly make precise cuts with just a bit of practice.
What type of blade to use?
The best blades for cutting plywood are the perforated type. These have multiple, tiny holes in them which will make your cut line smoother when they come in contact with the wood. Standard blades have a straight edge without any holes or slits, so they don’t have the same smoothness.
This blog post will show you how to use your jigsaw to make plywood like a professional.
Step 1: Make Sure You Have All The Tools
Jigsaw Sander Drill Bit Countersink Bit Phillips Head Screwdriver Rubber Mallet A few spare blades for your jigsaw Safety Glasses and Ear Plugs
Before you start, make sure you have all the tools you need.
Step 2 – Mark Your Cut Line
To make your plywood cut smooth and accurate, youll need to mark out your lines first. Measure the plywood piece you wish to cut. This will help you determine the length of the cuts along each side. Straight lines can be drawn with a pencil or a pen.
However, for best results, it is recommended that you use a marker because it wont smudge when it gets wet with sawdust. Draw both lines on the face of the plywood, making sure they match up at any corner where two lengths meet.
Step 3 – Determine Cut Locations
Once you have drawn your lines, it is time to put together the jigsaw puzzle. Begin by aligning the blade of your Jigsaw with one of the lines. The blade should be located near the area where you will make your first cut. It should be centered between the marks or aligned with the mark. This will ensure that the saw cuts straight across the length of the cut when you push down. Once youre happy with how it looks, tighten down the knob at the back of the tool so that there is no wiggle room left in it. It can cause a delay in your cutting line if there is too much slack.
Step 4 – Start cutting
Now that youre ready to go, plug in the jigsaw, and lets get started! Make sure your hands are secure by holding the tool with both your thumbs. Wrap your four fingers around the handle. Then press down on trigger until the trigger feels resistance. You can now move along the cut line. To make smooth cuts, maintain constant pressure. Don’t worry if you get some spray or blowout underneath the area where the jigsaw blades are cutting through the wood.
Step 5 – Finish the Cut Line
Once you have cut most of the board out, put your jigsaw down and get a 120-grit sandpaper sander. Plug it in and carefully run it back and forth along the cut line until you reach the end of it. If theres still any resistance left when you try to cut, you can turn the board around and do another pass where its still connected.
Step 6 – Mark Cut Location On The Back Of Plywood Article
After you have created a smooth line, switch to a drill that has a countersink bit. The tip of the bit should be placed right where the jigsaw blade cut through the wood. You want to make sure that it is lined up perfectly, so take your time here and get it exactly how you want it before pressing down on the trigger. Dont go too deep; about 1/20 cm should be enough to use any standard screw-in this hole without it poking out of the back of your board.
Step 7 – Insert screws in the holes and begin securing board down
Now go ahead and drill those two holes down into the plywood. Youll want to make sure that you use a screw size and type that is recommended for this specific job, so be sure to check with your local hardware store before heading out if youre not sure what it should be. Drive both screws in completely and then you can start putting together all those pieces of wood!
Step 8: Get Plywood Piece Laid Out Where You Want It
After the plywood pieces are securely attached, it’s time to place them exactly where you want. This is kind of a trial-and-error process, so take your time and shuffle things around until you get everything perfect. By that we mean the edges of the board looking as nice as possible.
Step 9: Trace And Cut A Top Panel To Fit Over Board
Once you have all of your measurements taken and checked, take one more sheet plywood and mark the dimensions on that piece. Place the plywood boards in a row, with the cut sides facing upwards. Next, place the new board on top.
Step 10: Cut The Panel And Drill Some Holes
Once your measurements are all marked out, go ahead and grab your jigsaw again. Cut around all four sides of the panel; take it slow since theres no need to rush through this one. When you get to each corner, make sure that youre cutting outside of your line by at least 1/10 cm (preferably more like
Tips and Tricks
- Try to cut exactly in the middle of two supports, this will make it easier to pull the plywood off.
- Run your saw slowly when you approach angle cuts. You won’t burn your edge when you cut into an angle from the outside.
- When cutting along the ends of the aboard, make sure the blade is at the maximum depth. You won’t get the cut you want if you don’t.
Final Thoughts
This is all you need to know about plywood cutting with a Jigsaw. With the right blade and some practice, you should be able to make clean, accurate cuts in no time at all. Be sure to take your time and pay attention to what youre doing, and before long youll be able to tackle any woodworking project that comes your way!
