Best tool for trimming down 18mm MDF and how to support it

[3point14]

I need to trim some MDF. Not a big job, but some degree of accuracy needed.

The problem, as I see it, is the length and supporting it as it is cut and the blade necessary.

I've a few thoughts but could do with suggestions. MDF pieces are 18m thick and 1800 x 600 and 1200 x 600.

 

[Diyisfun]

Clamp a batten on it & run a circular saw down it.

 

[3point14]

Circular saw was what I was thinking of but how to support it ? Not really sure how to approach that, largely because of the size (1800 x 600).

Also, which blade ?

 

[Diyisfun]

I would lay it on the floor on a couple of bits of wood

 

[festive]

What he said, if you have a work mate or few horses, lay some sturdy batton cross ways to the direction of cut and clamp to the sheet.

Set the depth of cut on your blade to just over the depth of your sheeting
(of course you may cut through the supporting battons.)

Measure the edge of saw place to edge of cutting blade (side closest to the edge you're measuring from!!) measure the cut offset. Add that to your cutting width, clamp your straight edge there.

Offer up blade and if you have it right you should see the inner edge of the blade mm perfect on the edge of your penciled line.

Bish bosh job done leggit... oooh tough job that one love walls weren't even, oh so tricky that'll be 500sheets

This is a good way to cut huge sheets too, enables you to cut them on your own without worrying about how you're going to hold on to half the sheet halfway through as it rips away from your cut line, leaving a nice jagged line...

 

[3point14]

What he said, if you have a work mate or few horses, lay some sturdy batton cross ways to the direction of cut and clamp to the sheet.

Set the depth of cut on your blade to just over the depth of your sheeting
(of course you may cut through the supporting battons.)

Measure the edge of saw place to edge of cutting blade (side closest to the edge you're measuring from!!) measure the cut offset. Add that to your cutting width, clamp your straight edge there.

Offer up blade and if you have it right you should see the inner edge of the blade mm perfect on the edge of your penciled line.

Bish bosh job done leggit... oooh tough job that one love walls weren't even, oh so tricky that'll be 500sheets

This is a good way to cut huge sheets too, enables you to cut them on your own without worrying about how you're going to hold on to half the sheet halfway through as it rips away from your cut line, leaving a nice jagged line...

I get the principle of battons across to support the sheet but you can't secure the huge sheet to horses nor a work mate can you ? If so, what am I missing ?

 

[Diyisfun]

Do it on the floor

 

[big-all]

I get the principle of battons across to support the sheet but you can't secure the huge sheet to horses nor a work mate can you ? If so, what am I missing ?

thats not even a full sheet
2440x 1220 is a full sheet or 1524x3048 thats a huge sheet

garden bench 2 workmates or as said on the floor
where in surrey do you live??
any where near redhill ??

 

[3point14]

I get the principle of battons across to support the sheet but you can't secure the huge sheet to horses nor a work mate can you ? If so, what am I missing ?

thats not even a full sheet
2440x 1220 is a full sheet or 1524x3048 thats a huge sheet

garden bench 2 workmates or as said on the floor
where in surrey do you live??
any where near redhill ??

They start as full sheets but for access, I'm having them cut down to 2 x 1800 x 610 with the off cut at 1220 x 640.

I understand what you say about doing it on the floor but it won't be attached to anything, other than the battons. Surely that is dangerous and likely to be inaccurate ?