Table Saw Basics - How to Cut Large Pieces
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- My preference is to cut full sheets with them set on saw horses and use a circular saw, especially for thicker material. But if I have the space clear and lower my expectations on the quality of the cut, I will do it on the table saw. The important parts are knowing how to hold it as you feed it through and what to watch - the fence - to make sure it stays in contact with it.
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My preference is to cut full sheets with them set on saw horses and use a circular saw, especially for thicker material. But if I have the space clear and lower my expectations on the quality of the cut, I will do it on the table saw. The important parts are knowing how to hold it as you feed it through and what to watch - the fence - to make sure it stays in contact with it.
Have you ever thought of making or buying one of those saws they have at Home Depot where it’s basically a wall holding the plywood and the saw can go in any cross shaped direction to rip or split? Not practical in most shops unless you have a lot of space and money but it’s cool
John, have you thought of doing a yearly calendar? Maybe have you do sexy poses on top of your table saw or on a sheet of plywood positioned on top of two saw horses.
Chris - I did, but I don't have the space in this shop. That's better suited to production work, anyway, so the typical hobbyist really doesn't need one.
The place where I learned cabinetry many moons ago was large enough that the owner had a full sized table fitted with an inverted skill saw on a track, pulled with a chain. Put the ply down on the table and then pull the chain tethered saw through the ply. Neat setup.
This was back in the 80's long before I saw one in a retail outfit...
@@bumstudios8817 and homedepot will cut your sheet down for free
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one that does it this way. Would be easier if we all had huge shops! Thanks for the video!
me too xDD I feel the same XD
"you don't wanna stop halfway thru the cut, and move a bunch of junk out of the way." A man after my very heart.
... my workingbench - and its completly clear !!!
He made this video the only day in the year it's not full of stuff :)
Am I the only one who gets excited when John posts a new video. Always spot on with everything. True enjoyment to watch a genius at work. So informative. Thanks big guy.
Thank you for this instructional series. Just bought a portable table saw and it's pretty scary for the uninitiated, so this series has been very helpful. Thanks a lot.
Thanks for the video I have saw horses with adjustable legs so I put one behind as an infeed support and I have an outfit table
thank you.... i'm staring down this problem and glad i'm not the only one.
I've found my best method is rigid insulation on the ground, sheet on top and then I bought a Milwaukee M12 circular saw and a blade designed for sheet goods. Cuts so well and easy by myself. The M12 so easy light and easy to use.
Subscription added at Van Halen 😅 after only watching the table saw blade sanding disc video before this one. I don’t have the table saw table top for this one, but pretty good here. I used a 5’ level against the fence for a fence extension last night for 6’ 2x4 edge rip cuts. My piece generally drifts away up at the top of the fence on longer pieces after the cut is through the blade, even with riving knife, fence extension, and out-feed platform.
I'm like you... Full sheets almost never make their way into the shop. I cut them as they're coming off the truck. Just takes up too much room in the shop. Good tips John.
Hello friends. let us be grateful to our friend who posted this video sharing knowledge. It doesn't cost anything to like and make a simple comment. It is the least we can do in gratitude for his work. thank you!
I love you. Thank you. We will forever be friends in both heart and spirit. May god bless you my child. For we are now groom. Amen.
I used to cut a lot of full sheets of 3/4" birch plywood at my last job. This is almost the exact same process we used except I had a 'catcher' on the other side of the table saw who held up the ends. Cross cutting was also a big job but knowing what you are doing, going slow and watching the stock as it rides along the fence made it easy.
Great advice, just in time, I’m about to cut a very large piece, and I was wondering how to do it. Big hug from Australia 🇦🇺
Hope it turned out ok! But like he said it’s probably easier on a saw horse with circular saw and a fence clamped on to keep it straight, much easier than man handling over a table saw
Me too! I love this type of videos, it's the only training I can get to learn how to safely and properly use my table saw. Thanks!
I really like how you explain things in a simple manner. Thanks, very much
Great video and tough challenge! On a post production note, love the blur vignette on the wide shots, creates a really interesting look and really draws the eye into the centre of the image.
I dig the shirt
I enjoy cutting 4x8 plywood sheets on the table saw as much as I enjoy ripping 2x4s 🤣👍
You leaning over the blade at the end of that cut made my stomach jump. I just recently had a table saw related ER visit so maybe I'm just a little jumpy...
Over 1Million YIPPEE!!!!!!! John, well done my friend keep up the great works from 🇬🇧 uk 👌🏼
Interesting video. Thanks for this. I don’t have a table saw, but intend to get one next year, so this is invaluable.
As a side note, I keep expecting an outro, but there isn’t one. Always throws me 😁
And that's why I love sliding table saws. Expensive, yes. But worth it IMHO.
I might be a super noob for only having 6 months of woodworking under my belt but it feels nice knowing this is exactly how I deal with full sheets lol. Taking wins when I can get em.
Yup! I am with you. Anything bigger than about a 3ft by 4 ft chunk and I use a saw guide and supports. I cheated and actually bought a Kreg cutting track and have an old Makita 7 1/4 saw dedicated to it. I put a big box store "Finish" blade on it and use a sheet of 1 1/2 rigid foam insulation as a cutting base. I set that on a couple folding tables. I still always follow up with the true dimension cut on a table saw. But the better blade, zero clearance saw track and the backer foam eliminate tear out and give me a very good starting side for the table saw fence.
"..My workbench, and that's completely clear" - I think I have only been able to say the same right after building it.
I did it exactly the same way, out of intuition only. I’m happy to see that I did it right then.
Great video
Great vid
Thanks for this. About to make my first large plywood cut. Good on ya John, very useful!
For new comers is it easier to use a circular saw guide or the table saw?
I tried to cut an 8 x 4 sheet of 18mm MDF on a table saw once before, never again, I did not feel safe doing it that way so I've stuck with sawhorses and a circ saw ever since, much safer for me.
Great instruction & nicely done John! It's always a good thing to take the time & figure out exactly what you are going to do before doing any operation in the shop. Better safe than sorry! 👍👍😉😉
My garden is on a weird slope and when it rains (which it does a lot) it turns into a muddy swamp, so I currently have nowhere I can cut large sheets, and have to either buy smaller sheets, or get them a sheet at a time and pre-cut at the big hardware store, which always works out more expensive. My neighbour has offered me an old semi knackered shed, its walls are in a reasonable state, but it needs a new roof and floor, so the plan is while building a new floor to make it way bigger than I need, to create a flat, decked area in front of the shed, with a retractable cover, just for cutting larger sheets, and once repaired i'll use the old shed as a wood store, as my two little home workshop areas have zero space as it is, that way I can get larger sheets delivered, store them and cut them at my leisure :)
You have a cabinet table saw, the job is worse on a job site saw. I use a pair of saw horses and a the Bora track. It is not as accurate as the Makita track but it certainly is safer than trying to juggle a 4*8 on a table saw.
Glad I am not the only one struggling with this.
Track saws are the way to go when breaking down sheet goods. Even a cheap one (Kreg) will do the job. No more out feed tables, wrestling a sheet of 3/4 ply, or making sure you have space in your shop.
Buena explicación y buen consejo. Van Halen yeahh!!!!
Si!
You might consider a good track saw for cutting the big plywood sheet.
Love this and love the shirt even more!!!!
Someone on YT made a nifty attachment to some generic track saw track that made it as simple as drawing your line, placing the track on the line and cutting with a circ saw. Or a couple clamps on a nice straight piece of steel/al. Way to easy to get kickback on the ts for most of us without large infeed.
Sweet T-shirt John! 🤘🏻
GREAT VIDEO! You should do a video about how to get a full sheet of plywood home ! That one seems to elude me
You need a truck or trailer
@@psquared5574 well...yeah but I was looking more for if you don't have those things.
Last time I tried a full sheet I pull some wires loose in my defibrillator in that in half on you for five times what a shock but good information John I always watch enjoy your videos
I don't think you want to be cutting full sheets while attached to a defibrillator...
you could be in for a shock.
I'll typically cut down the main 4x8' sheet in my garage using a track straightedge first, then take it down to my table saw. Carrying a full sheet of 3/4" plywood down to my basement is difficult at best. 1/2" is doable, but still a pain. Half sheets are all that I need to get them sized to my ability to carry them down the stairs, even though I have plenty of space in my shop to handle full sheets on the table saw.
BTW... nothing beats having a decent sized outfeed table for the table saw (mine is 4x4', doubles as an assembly table), as well as some type of infeed ability. I use a small roller stand for that.
Very informative. Thank you.
Wish I could double like for the VH T-shirt! Great content, keep it up!
My preference is to use a track saw. Table saw is just way too sketchy for large pieces.
I've just bought a bosch gks190 professional circular saw. Would this be compatible to feed into a track? Or would i need to buy a saw that specifically comes with a track?
I ve done it allways the same way - grettings from germany
Van Halen shirt.... you are mi idol✌️👍🏻for Wood passion and Music!! Thx a lot for videos, Great Talent! Amazing channel!,,,
Great tips John! Thanks for sharing them with us!💖👍👌😎JP
I'm with you John, the initial breakdown, at the very least into 2x8 foot sections ( they are easier, I think, than 4x4 foot sections when you are running them on a table saw) should be done with the sheet fully supported and stationary and use a circular saw and guide, it's really easy to build your own guide ( just remember which side of the line your kerf will be on when setting up the guide... sigh ... )
Of course, if you have an infeed table, side extension tables that support everything, and lots of outfeed space/table it's not hard at all .. .but who has a 6 x 20 space to dedicate to the table saw for cutting sheet goods? ( I suppose a sliding infeed table might have to be considered cheating...unless you have one)
When I buy full sheets, I lay them in the bed of my pickup and then I slide it directly from my bed of the truck to my table saw easy to handle no issues.
Good tips... small shop, I feel your pain.
I just need to get a system in my shop where I don't wreck my back trying to push 3/4 " double veneered ply through (birch is f'in heavy)
Cheers, hope you are doing ok.
I try to figure out a
good size to pre-cut the sheet and have it ripped at the lumber store. Even if they charge for the cuts, it's a lot easier than throwing your back out !
Absolutely agree even if I had a truck to move the sheets.
Thanks for this. Very useful. Sometimes it's the only option. On a side note; reading the comments, I'm starting to see why you get frustrated with Tube Nation. You couldn't have been any more clear in your description.
Yep, everyone saying its better to use a straight edge and circular saw, even though that is the first thing he mentions in the video, lol.
@@KipdoesStuff I think most people are meaning "I'd go with your first suggestion" in agreement, rather than suggesting he's wrong in anyway. I think it's useful to get a gauge of what everyone else does in order to get a balanced opinion at the end. John doesn't have a monopoly on best practice woodworking, so it's good to hear other opinions too. I'd like to think most people came away from this video with the view that John's normal approach is best.
I use the roller stands and they make a huge difference. But nothing beats the track saw except a giant table in a huge shop and a $2000 table saw lol
that’s how I do it. in my family to not use the table saw would be a cop out but then again my father lost a finger to the table saw and so did his father so maybe i should learn to be a chicken and use the skill saw. haha
Is there a video on how to get a full sheet into a honda civic? Good vid on cutting full sheets.
Have it cut in the store. Helps a lot when you measure and mark it yourself, this has given me more equal cuts.
@@htcinfinity Both lowes and home depot, both their board cutting machines have been broken for months now.
I take my own saw and make dirty cuts at the store if needed.
I never knew your shop wasn’t that big. What’s your size of the shop? I see how much you do out of yours and wondering for my future shop. Thanks bud!!
Amazing channel❤️
John, I've watched a load of your videos and have noticed you almost religiously focus on the interface between whatever you're cutting and the fence. 👍
It's good practice. If you keep the stock firmly against the fence it can prevent a lot of worries.
With planning (I know, who does that!), the best way is to slide the 3/4 4x8 sheet out of your truck straight onto a couple of sawhorses, and make the initial breakdown with a tracksaw while you're unloading, then you're never handling the heavy, unwieldy sheets in the shop.
If I knew exactly what I needed each sheet for before hand that would be great. Sometimes I cut it down at the lumber yard. But most times I buy it because the price is low and store it for later use.
killer shirt.
Well now I'm wondering why I ever thought I wanted to rip full sheets on a table saw. What was I thinking? I'll just keep using that old aluminum bleacher bench as a circular saw fence.
Great license plate...
My favorite way to cut a full sheet of plywood is to let the lumber yard or big box store cut them down close to the size I want on their sheet cutter table then take them home to my shop.
That's exactly my approach. Plus I always have even more crap behind. ;)
I do that too stand at one corner and lift the board but the blade growls anytime its not straight with the little tiny guide at the side and thats pretty scary so i usually stop the machine and flip the other side which leaves uneven cuts. I was hoping to see any other safer ways of doing this.
When you powered the saw back on did you pull the board back slightly,because if you don’t that can cause kickback
it will cause it if you dont have proper setup or moved the sheet in between. just have to think about not "butting it" before restart
i was cutting plywood today and my instructor got me to use a 2 by 4 as a guard
with a skill saw
helped out a lot
Skillfully done, John.
But there's so little room for error, it scares me.
Need to ask Santa for some roller stands.
I also prefer to pre cut with a skill saw and guide. But remember, the clean cut is on the bottom so good side down.
Good point. Easy to forget when you are more used to a table saw.
I did the same cut for the first time a couple of weeks ago on a sheet of OSB using my small dewalt jobsite saw. Now I’m positive that I’ll be using my circular saw next time I have to do one of these. Not worth it for me.
Sheet goods are way to expensive right now. I just paid $30 for a 24x48 birch ply. All future projects with ply are on hold for a while.
Those cabinets take up a huge amount of space in your shop. No telling how many square feet.
I like to measure a little fat and then re-cut the smaller work piece to the line using the factory edge against the fence.
I did it this way before I knew anything. Now I have the big box store cut it down for me.
What saw is it?
Hi , It seems to me that a plunge circular saw with a dedicated or homemade rail seems to me more practical, fast and less dangerous ! 🤷🏽♂️
Probably, BUT, "one size" does not fit all shops, budgets, skill set, and situations for this task.
He also covered using a straight edge at the beginning of the video.
Yeah, I've always found that it's easier to cut the sheet down into more manageable pieces and then do my finish cuts on the table saw. If I could cut a full sheet I would have an infeed table that supported most of the sheet. That's not always practical though.
Anyone ever done a 8x8ft table with miter slots at four and eight ft for feather boards and an external switch? That be crazy and big but pretty nice?
I've got a simple answer for you.
Aussie designed Triton 2000 work centre with extender legs.
This video was Full of Sheet ;)
I always break down full sheets on sawhorses.
Now show us how you crosscut that 2 x 8 board.
You don't think anyone has ever made bad cuts with a table saw? It happens bro.
HI....... Is not good Aida to cut full shit of plywood on table saw it's happened one time to me so i am lucky because the blade broken...... Thanks for the information
agree even half shit can be kill.
I typically just make my wife come help me when I rip a full sheet.
Yeah helper for a few cuts is worth the effort.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I am watching this and thinking, "if you are man-handling this 3/4", 4x8 sheet, how do you think it makes me feel'!
I was wondering, if you had the space and the tablesaw had 8' before the blade and an accurate long fence before the blade, don't you think that would make things so much easier/better?
I am wishing I had what I described so the torture of these sheets and the tablesaw would end.
Would it work? What do you think?
In my brother's shop their saws are surrounded by a sea of infeed and outfeed tables. Cutting large sheets there is so easy!
Back before internet, when I had space in a 2 car garage, I built infeed and outfeed tables 6 ft long 3 ft wide. That helped quite a bit to handle the weight of 3/4 ply. I was just making cabinets and book cases for the house so the cuts were accurate enough. I really didn’t want to waste much of the 3/4 inch oak ply cause it was expensive.
Useful if you cut large sheets on a regular basis. But in the home shops this is a rarity.
I guess safety was thrown out of the window?
I only do it with helper
I need to get you a kiss t shirt lol
Isn't the real answer to use a track saw on a piece of insulation foam....?
If these vids weren't the serious/educational kind, it would have been funny to spell that thumbnail "full of sheet". I know, I have the sense of humor of my 4 yr old.
I get better cuts from my homebuilt track setup than single handily wrestling sheets over table saw. Wood take a lot more cutting for me to justify buying a cordless Makita track $aw.
The table saw has to be able to handle the cutting.... If your saw handles only less than 24 inches then back to the saw horses!!!! If you are doing the other direction or need 4 ft by 4 ft then back to the saw horse on most job site saws!!!!!
You must have gotten that sheet with the staple at Home Depot.
Just an idea. With the blade down, lay the sheet with it's center over the blade, align with the fence, hold down and raise the blade slowly. Cut the sheet halfway, turn of, reverse the sheet and finish the other half. Never tried it, it may be dangerous.