Best Way to Cut Wood Without It Splintering

This is the best way to cut wood without splintering and it is so incredibly easy!

Cutting can be a problem if the wood is too thin or if you're cutting something with a laminate overlay because the wood will splinter or the laminate (which is just really thin plastic) will chip.

That doesn't make for a very pretty finished product. And let's face it if you're going to haul out your power tools and make a big mess, you better have something lovely in the end to show for it. Right?

I used this trick awhile back when we were installing white laminate counter tops on the built in we created from Ikea cabinets and shelves. So when we had to cut this really thin (5mm) underlayment I knew just what to do.

This is the best way to cut wood without it splintering…and it won't take you but an extra 10 seconds.

First, you will need to mark your cut with a pencil. So do your measurements (twice) and get ready to cut (once).

Once you have your line, tape along your mark with painter's tape, so that the line is on the side of the piece of wood that you don't want to keep.

Once your tape is in place, make your cut along the line with your saw.

The tape holds the wood together so that even the cheapest piece of wood comes out with a clean edge!

I'm using these pieces of underlayment on some rustic modern floating shelves and the edges will be visible so I need the edges to be clean.