Cutting large boards

JCTucker · 21 Nov 2005

What do you guys use to cut 8ft 3/4 inch MDF/Ply boards? I am getting fed up with the attitude of our local B&Q who won’t make more than 3 cuts for me, even if I offer to pay.

I think that I have at least three options, and am looking to spend maximum of £250.

1) Benchsaw – if so, then any recommendations for size or make?
2) Band saw – presume the limiting factor here is the width of the jaw, so the wider the better?
3) Guide system like the Trend one http://www.trendmachinery.co.uk/clampguides/cgpro.shtml

I want to be able to cut boards down to make shelves or even units (so probably wider than the band saw), so need an accurate way of cutting a straight edge – something better than my current circular saw.

Thanks for any advice

big-all · 21 Nov 2005

i use circular saw strait edge
providing your saw blade is parralel to the edge off the base and the blade is a good un it should be ok via the circular saw route
what sort of saw have you got!!!

band saw not suitable for whole sheets

a table saw you need about 20ft clear [10ft lead on to the table and 10 ft behind and about 6ft side to side as well as several supports over the whole span

JCTucker · 21 Nov 2005

big-all said:
what sort of saw have you got!!!

A fairly standard Bosch. I have tried using a straight edge before, but have found the saw binds to the edge. Must be that it is not parallel.

Perhaps an upgrade and straightedge is all I need?

big-all · 21 Nov 2005

take your saw [unplugged] hold a pencil between two fingers touch the fingers agaist the base edge with pencil touching the blade slide your fingers along the base till you reach the other side off the blade if you fingers loosens or tightens the blade isnt parralel
if it is parralel check the wriving knife at the back of the blade is lined up with the blade or if the blade has been changed for a thinner one youll get binding on the knife

TexMex · 21 Nov 2005

JCTucker said:
A fairly standard Bosch. I have tried using a straight edge before, but have found the saw binds to the edge. Must be that it is not parallel.

Is that a circular saw or a jigsaw. For long straight cuts circular saw is definitely the way to go.

Due to the exhorbitant price of a decent straight edge, I ended up making my own 8 footer out of a piece of MDF with a piece of aluminium section on the edge. (I don't know what the ali section was made for but it was on special in B&Q for just £2 per length, some sort of carpet edging with a channel on the side that makes it nice and stable)

I've also built a heath robinson type setup that allows me to cut the boards vertically, complete with clamps to hold my straight edge in place. If you're interested I could post some diagrams of how I achieved it, but it's not exactly a work of art and would likely provoke some guffaws.

JCTucker · 21 Nov 2005

TexMex said:
JCTucker said:

A fairly standard Bosch. I have tried using a straight edge before, but have found the saw binds to the edge. Must be that it is not parallel.

Click to expand...

Is that a circular saw or a jigsaw. For long straight cuts circular saw is definitely the way to go.

It's a circular

TexMex said:
I've also built a heath robinson type setup that allows me to cut the boards vertically, complete with clamps to hold my straight edge in place. If you're interested I could post some diagrams of how I achieved it, but it's not exactly a work of art and would likely provoke some guffaws.

Would be interested to see....yes please! (Not just for the entertainment factor, I promise!

)

Thermo · 21 Nov 2005

other option is get a timber merchants to do it for you. the one i use will do all the cuts from my cutting list when i do furniture, deliver it and give all the spare board left over as well. usually charge a pittance to do it to

Ukwoody · 21 Nov 2005

Thermo, I wish the merchants around here would flipping cut timber

JCT, I use a circular saw with home made straight edge. You do need as Bigall has said, to ensure you're blade is good. Also, when cutting, support the offcut so it doesn't drop a bit and if need be just put a little wedge in the cut behind the saw, that will help stop it binding. If you have any Silicon spray about, that works wonders on sticky blades as well.
Woody

shufti · 22 Nov 2005

JCTucker said:
What do you guys use to cut 8ft 3/4 inch MDF/Ply boards? I am getting fed up with the attitude of our local B&Q who won’t make more than 3 cuts for me, even if I offer to pay.

Thanks for any advice

I assumed all Q&B's would have the same policy on cutting, my local one does 4 cuts free and charges 25p for each extra up to 4.
Try ringing Head office and see if there's a company policy on cutting or whether its left to individual stores.

TexMex · 22 Nov 2005

JCTucker said:
Would be interested to see....yes please! (Not just for the entertainment factor, I promise! )

I'll knock up a few diagrams to post later.

UkWoody said:
Thermo, I wish the merchants around here would flipping cut timber icon_evil.gif

The all time worst place I found for this was Hereford. I was staying there on a temporary basis and rented out a part furnished cottage on short term lease. Wanting to make up a Cabin Bunk to allow my granddaughter to come visit, I went around all the stores, but none had any board cutting service. In the end I went into focus, bought a hand saw and the boards and proceeded to cut it up in the car park.

Very soon a couple of locals came over and gave me a hand (Lovely people), before a jobsworth came out and said, "sorry, you can't do that here, this is a car park for paying customers". Needless to say I gave him an old fashioned "soft southern b*d" mouthful and continued regardless. What the heck was I supposed to do, abandon the stuff in the carpark, simply because it wouldn't fit in the car

nstreet · 22 Nov 2005

I use these http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=21610&recno=1 with a standard circular saw.

You could always make your own guide by sourcing some I profile aluminium, the sort the use for partition walls, and a couple of quick clamps.

petewood · 22 Nov 2005

Another option may be to ask at a joinery workshop for the sizes you want. Make sure you have a clear list of exactly what you want so that they don't have to start deciphering bad drawings and converting inches, cms and mm all on the same drawing (it happens, I promise you) and don't start asking them to design it for you if you don't want to pay extra.

Although you would pay for each cut and a bit of mark-up for the mdf it might not be such a big difference as someone that uses a lot of mdf will get it for far less than you are paying at b&q.

WoodYouLike · 22 Nov 2005

Another, but more expensive solution, would be to invest in a plunge circular saw with guide rail. (See here for good product: Festool)
(Although, expensive only if you use it for one job only, if you plan for more jobs it's worth every penny of it. We cut doors to new floor level with it, half a minute work

)

JCTucker · 23 Nov 2005

Cheers all....I'm going to look at the Axminster option

dbbyleo · 2 Dec 2005

I don't know how much 250 pounds can buy, but seems equivalent to more than $300 in the US, which around here can by a fairly decent table saw.

I'm no proffesional (a novice, really), so take this for what its worth...

I've used a nice aluminum straight-edge and a circular saw in the past (forgoing buying a table saw). What I save in dollars cost in time and accuracy.

Time - having to measure, then clamp, then measure, then clamp again, then a second measure and clamp to one end if you made an adjustment to the other end....

Accuracy - i think you'll always be a least 1/8 of inch off (be lucky if you make 1/8). At least from my experience

I now have a table-saw. What a HUGE difference in ease and accuracy. I love it.

Everyone is right though. Just like on a table saw, you need to make sure the blade is parallel to the edge of the circular base. If not, it will bind - just like on a table saw. My table saw manual calls it "heeling" the blade. But on a circular saw, I don't know how you would heel the blade.

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Cutting large boards

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