How to make straight cuts on large pieces of wood with small tools?
Question:I have a 4' x 8' piece of plywood, and I need to cut a lot of pieces out of it. Many of the pieces are pretty big and can't be perfectly cut using the fence on my little table saw (which can only measure up to 10" straight cuts). Plus, it's really hard to manage this huge piece of wood on my own. I need to use almost every piece of it, and I can't just make rough cuts. What's the best way to make perfect cuts on this piece? I have a table saw with a very small table and no extension, a large circular saw, a small chop saw and a bigger sliding chop saw, and a router.
Answers:
Personally, I would get a long framing level, the kind that is 48 inches long or more.
Measure your cuts and draw the lines, then secure the level to the work piece with C-Clamps in such a position that when the guard of the circular saw is pushed sideways against the side of the level, the blade lines up with the line you want to cut.
Hope this is clear enough.
cut it on the floor thin scrap wood under it set the set the saw depth to the thickness of the wood . I use a second sheet of plywood as the strait edge just me standing on it holds it in place, you can tack it with a nail to hold it also.
Use the circular saw with home made guide pieces. You can use a 48" level as someone suggested for the cuts across the width or an 8 foot 1x2 for the cuts along the lenght. Clamp your guide pieces with C clamps or whatever clamps you have available.
Make your lay out on panel . Get a nice straight 1x3 or like board ,2x4, any thing at least the length you need. 8 ft
Measure off your mark the amount that the saw blade on C-saw is to edge its guard .( Hook on saw blade with measure and get measurement to edge plate guide. )
Say 1" so put a mark 1" from your cut line
place 1by on new mark(screw or clamp ) your saw will follow this and make straight cut . Watch the center doesn't bow on you can alway use a 2x4 . I like to put couple small screws/nails in center to prevent bowing)
Do a trail run on piece scrap to check all measurements. You can cut a 8 ft rip or smaller pieces off sheet this way . Good luck
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