This is the best way to cut wood without splintering and it is so incredibly easy!
The hubs and I have been working on a project that I should have installed and ready to show you next week, but I thought I’d share a little tip with you in the meantime.
Cutting can be a problem if the wood is too thin or if you are 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 are 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 (yet another project that I haven’t posted here yet…ugh.) 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 painters tape, so that the line is on the side of the piece of wood that you don’t want to keep.
Then 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 in a part of a project that will be visible so I don’t want all those ugly splinters. Hopefully I’ll have it done this weekend and ready to show it to you next week!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Sharing at Remodelaholic
Ha, my first thought when I saw the title of this post was “well the best way to cut wood without it splintering is to not use cheap wood” – but hey, if this works for cheap wood too, then that’s even better 😉
Fantastic!
I have been looking at buying a bench but the cost keeps putting me off. And as I figure I’m getting into woodwork why not try building one? But TBH It seemed a bit above me. But not with this tutorial! you make it seem very easy and the diagrams really help visualize stuff I have been reading elsewhere…
Think I’m going to give this a go!
Yay you! Please let me know how it goes, Steav!
Splintering happens when the circular saw blade is set too deep, causing the teeth to smash upward through the surfaces of the panel. Easiest way to get good cuts is to set the blade just a smidge below the timber’s bottom surface (the one you will see when finished). That way the teeth slice along the surface, not smash through it. To get clean cuts on both sides, set the blade about 1/4 the depth of the panel, which will slice a groove in the top surface, then reset it to a smidge below the bottom surface and go again, to slice separately through that surface. (Will need to clamp panel down and use a saw guide to ensure cuts are repeated in the same place place.)
[…] times when you begin the routing process. By doing so, you will be able to prevent the wood from splintering and be in better control of the wood working […]
[…] This wood is super thin and will splinter. See this quick tip to make sure the wood doesn’t splinter. […]
Tape is definitely my friend. 🙂 It’s also a way to mark on your project without leaving pencil or pen marks on it!
I was installing hardware on some espresso maple cabinets and couldn’t see anything. No white chalk or pencils. I had a “Duh” moment and put my blue tape on the drawer front, marked and drilled.
I was putting the tape, though, on the side I wanted to keep. It’s not splintering, but if it could be better by putting the tape on the side I DON’T want to keep? I’ll give’er a try.
Thanks!
Soo helpful- thanks for the tip!
Great tip, that is so useful! Pinning, and thanks for sharing this at Creativity Unleashed!
This is such a great tip! Pinned 🙂
Great tip! I can’t wait to see the project!
Great tip Corey! I’ve got a big project coming up soon, and this could come in super handy!