Cutting Melamine chipboard

[Fordy81]

What's the best way to get the cleanest cut on MFC?

I have hand saws, which to be honest I'm not that accurate with, a jigsaw, circular saw.

Is there anything I can do to prevent chipping? Will masking the cut line help?

 

[ldoodle]

The recommendation seems to be a triple chip blade, which supposedly gives excellent results.

http://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/productlist/4/280/Panel_Trimming_Sawblades.html

Ignore the RRP. The 190mm blade can be had for less than £50 with vat: http://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/tre...90mm-x-60-teeth-x-30mm-super-fine-finish.html

One is on my shopping list when I change my circular saw.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Masking the cut line will help a bit, but with a circular saw you need to ensure that the teeth project out of the underside buy only about 4 or 5mm. As the other poster said more teeth = better cut, also sharper blade. Not sure if I'd go to the extent of buying a Trend TCG blade, though. I'd be thinking more in terms of trying to make all may cuts from the same side and trying to ensure that I had the factory edges near the outsides where possible and the self-cut one at the back, insides, etc where they are less noticeable

 

[cjard]

if the relevant face is pre-scored with a Stanley knife, does it help?

 

[Deleted member 174758]

if the relevant face is pre-scored with a Stanley knife, does it help?

That would be the top face and you'd need to position the edge of the saw blade so that it cuts exactly along that line. This is not easy to achieve. If you don't then it makes just as much mess as not doing it. TBH a circular saw with a fine tooth saw blade used on a freshly made guide works better.

 

[ldoodle]

freshly made guide works better.

Definitely this. I made mine out of 2 strips of MDF.

6mm for the sled part that the base plate of the saw sits on and 12mm for the fence. Glue and screw them together then run your saw through the sled part to make the cut line. Use the factory edge as the guide side.

Make the fence part wide enough so your saw body will clear through even with clamps on.

 

[Fordy81]

freshly made guide works better.

Definitely this. I made mine out of 2 strips of MDF.

6mm for the sled part that the base plate of the saw sits on and 12mm for the fence. Glue and screw them together then run your saw through the sled part to make the cut line. Use the factory edge as the guide side.

Make the fence part wide enough so your saw body will clear through even with clamps on.

I'm a bit confused about what you're saying.

Is it like on this site? http://www.wwgoa.com/shop-made-circular-saw-guide-cheap-easy-awesome/

If so, do I need to measure the distance between the fence and the blade before attaching the two pieces together, or do I just butt the saw plate up against the fence and let the saw do cut it to the right length?

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Is it like on this site? http://www.wwgoa.com/shop-made-circular-saw-guide-cheap-easy-awesome/

If so, do I need to measure the distance between the fence and the blade before attaching the two pieces together, or do I just butt the saw plate up against the fence and let the saw do cut it to the right length?

That link is bob-on

The "shelf" on the lower part needs to be about the same width as the base of your saw, but it isn't exact because the first cut you make will make it accurate. Your first cut with it is a trimming cut (i.e. it is to trim the jig, NOT cut material). Once you've trimmed your jig the edge becones your saw line. Here's an alternative link

Untitled

• Deleted member 174758
• 18 Mar 2015
• 1

Above: Trimming the guide

 

[Fordy81]

Is it like on this site? http://www.wwgoa.com/shop-made-circular-saw-guide-cheap-easy-awesome/

If so, do I need to measure the distance between the fence and the blade before attaching the two pieces together, or do I just butt the saw plate up against the fence and let the saw do cut it to the right length?

That link is bob-on

The "shelf" on the lower part needs to be about the same width as the base of your saw, but it isn't exact because the first cut you make will make it accurate. Your first cut with it is a trimming cut (i.e. it is to trim the jig, NOT cut material). Once you've trimmed your jig the edge becones your saw line. Here's an alternative link

Untitled

• Deleted member 174758
• 18 Mar 2015
• 1

Above: Trimming the guide

That's great, thanks. And presumably because the jig is protecting the piece you're keeping, the downward pressure will help to prevent chipping of the melamine to a minimum?

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Can reduce it, yes. But needs to be done in conjunction with a fine tooth (high tooth count) blade. Masking tape along the cut line can help as well

 

[chippy5]

Cut the board with a Circular saw from the back it will only chip out on the top
Think about how the saw teeth hit the board. If they cut into it there should be no chips but when the teeth leave the board the teeth are cutting away from the face then you get chips.