Large Scale Central

Ripping 4 x 8 sheets of plywood

Tools and Tips
#1

I needed some 4 x 8 sheets of plywood cut in to equal 29 1/2" x 47 15/16 " panels. To me this was a daunting task because of dealing with the size of board. It is very difficult to control a 4 x 8 sheet and keep it level on the table of the saw. So I use a circular saw with a fence instead of a table saw and hope for the best cuts.
I usually buy plywood locally and have it delivered, but it is still a lot to handle single handed.

Have you seen the big rack saws at Home Depot? They sit in the lumber department and the plywood is stood up in the saw and the cuts are easily handled, both horizontally and vertically.

I choose a non-busy time to visit HD and asked if they could rip 2 pieces of plywood to the dimensions I mentioned above. No problem. I was more than willing to pay for the cuts, but since the guy wasn’t busy there was no charge.

So now the 4 x 8 sheets of plywood were reduced to 4 panels that were much easier to handle, precisely cut and loaded into the van by myself, along with the cutoffs that will be ripped on the home table saw in a much more controlled size.

Now, very few ideas are original. Thank God that I have friends that can help me through the tough projects. I don’t know where this was jogged into my little bit of grey matter, but to whoever brought this forth, I am forever grateful.

I am currently rebuilding the benchwork of the “Timesaver”, that is a completely different subject and one that I will exhaust you with the details of later, but this is what the plywood is for.

I don’t know if I will ever man-handle a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood, again.

#2

Ric,

Here both HD and RONA have those panel saws from Holzherr, big advantage is they have Metric and Imperial scales. I haven’t cut any 4x8 sheets in years. I don’t buy that stuff at the places were they cut on a table saw anymore either, disclaimers at RONA and HD not withstanding they cut within +/- 2mm. Close enough for the government work in this house.

BTW here they give you 3 cuts on the house, plan carefully and the cutting is for free. :wink: :slight_smile:

#3

It’s easy with a circular saw!

#4

Sure Tom, sure … and as accurate as an industrial panel saw, right? :lol: :wink:

#5

I clamp a straight edge;)

#6

I guess once you have that set up, carefully, it will be close to the accuracy of those panel saws. Admittedly it depends on the operator, too.
Last time I had “stuff” cut, the guy said to me “Metric! I don’t know Metric!” “Hmmm … where are you from?” “South of the border!” :wink: :slight_smile: :wink:

#7

I’ve never had any real good luck with those panel saws. I think it depends on how much the operator cares. I always seem to get the pimply faced kid who is going to be fired at the end of the shift, and knows it.

#8
Steve Featherkile said:
I've never had any real good luck with those panel saws. I think it depends on how much the operator cares. I always seem to get the pimply faced kid who is going to be fired at the end of the shift, and knows it.
I've had that experience a few times too, but usually if you are friendly with them and ask that they take the time to set up the saw you can get very good cuts.

I put down 1/2 inch sheathing as a floor in my attic a few years ago. Only way up is through pull-down stairs that wouldn’t accommodate a full 4x8 sheet. I had HD cut each 4x8 in three. The clerk set the saw to cut at 32". The last piece was 1/4" short due to the saw kerf, but that was OK, I used the short ones on the edges. They went through the stair opening with no problem.

#9

If you would like to do your own cuts, use a 1x4 clamped to the plywood. Make sure you have a good sharp blade.

#10

I have ripped sheets of plywood myself for years. I’ve got a complete system down to a science of doing it in the garage and then handling the smaller sheets on the table saw, miter box saw or even with a jigsaw. It is getting to where it hurts my back and sometimes hard to handle by myself.

Today, I’m in need of a 3/4 inch sheet ripped 3 times to create four boards for bench work top. I can get it locally, they will deliver and then cut it myself or I can go to the big box store with the panel saw, buy it cheaper and load the cut pieces easily in the van bring it home and install it. I need to head to the bigger store area, anyway.

I will certainly heed the warning of the exact proportions of the cuts I want and need.

#11

I’ve covetted this system for a while. Similar to what Tom’s doing and I’ve used his sytem too! You can also get at most Big box stores an Aluminum channel that you assemble from two pieces and clamp down for an eight foot fence/guide. Less likely to use it for a project like a piece of 1x4 sitting around.

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/ps.html

#12

I have a new Home Depot behind my house. It has been there less than a year. I needed basically the same thing you need. Some 2’ x 4’ panels out of 1/2" plywood. They refused to cut them for me because they sell 2’ x 4’ panels already cut. When I mentioned that the 2’ x 4’ panels they sell are almost the same price as a full 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood the just looked at me and said “Sucks for you.” That is why I now drive to Lowes for stuff now and that is why I have owned Lowes stock for years and sold my Home Depot stock long ago.

#13

Guys,

As some like to say “Your mileage may vary”, it’s that attitude problem we discussed in another thread, some people just don’t want to offer service.

OTOH I have found that asking what kind of coffee someone drinks - after a better than usual job - goes a long way for equally good service next time. That and a few jokes. :wink: :slight_smile: :wink:

#14

So, what does that make me? My coffee machine is a Jura Capresso… it must be metric coffee!

Regards, Greg

#15

Hey Greg, :wink: :slight_smile: I don’t bring the coffee from home, I go over to the neighbourhood Tim Horton’s to get one for the very helpful people.

BTW our machine is a DeLonghi, does whatever you dial up, kind of unusual for an Italian. “Pronto, come va?” :wink: :slight_smile:

#16

Cutting 4 x 8 sheets of anything can be a pain. Especially slatwall, nothing like trying to hold a heavy particle board full sheet with a formica face on it and guide it through a portable table saw or even using a circlar saw. So finally after we got a table saw and a 5 x 8 service desk cut a hole in it to set the saw down flush with the top. We then used metal tubing drilled into the top for our rip fence and the job became a one man job. I tell ya it was slick, and cutting sheets of slatboard or pegborad was a breeze after that.

Todd

#17

Grew up in a Cabinet Shop…We had the Big Delta Tables…220v, Pop kept the blades sharp, and 2 of us generally cut all 4x8 stock (5x9 MDF was always fun!)…it is a sort of art…once you get a feel for the other guy, you can really get some stuff cut-quick and safe. It was one of my fav things to do, after the layout of the set. Nowadays I grab my brother or pa in law to help pull something thru…if they are not avail, I have the folks at store rip on the panel saw…if I ever get my ‘building’ I’ll have me one of those!

cale

#18
W. Chas. Ronolder IV said:
I've covetted this system for a while. Similar to what Tom's doing and I've used his sytem too! You can also get at most Big box stores an Aluminum channel that you assemble from two pieces and clamp down for an eight foot fence/guide. Less likely to use it for a project like a piece of 1x4 sitting around.

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/ps.html


Chas that sounds like the same fence/guide thing I got when I was building my layout.

It worked pretty good, if you can find it, its really usefull for those long lenthwise cuts, just make sure you support each side of the plywood or risk snapping the plywood as you get near the end of the cut. I actually use a sacrificial 1x on top of my sawhorses, so I can cut right thru it if I need to.

#19
Cale Nelson said:
Grew up in a Cabinet Shop...We had the Big Delta Tables...220v, Pop kept the blades sharp, and 2 of us generally cut all 4x8 stock (5x9 MDF was always fun!)...it is a sort of art...once you get a feel for the other guy, you can really get some stuff cut-quick and safe. It was one of my fav things to do, after the layout of the set. Nowadays I grab my brother or pa in law to help pull something thru...if they are not avail, I have the folks at store rip on the panel saw....if I ever get my 'building' I'll have me one of those!

cale


Cale,
I can top that one by another level of escalation. When I worked for a cabinet shop that did HIGH end furniture for banks and casinos they invested in a CNC panel cutter. It would chop up and 5 x 12 sheet in seconds. Talk about making scrap faster! LOL!

#20
W. Chas. Ronolder IV said:
Cale Nelson said:
Grew up in a Cabinet Shop...We had the Big Delta Tables...220v, Pop kept the blades sharp, and 2 of us generally cut all 4x8 stock (5x9 MDF was always fun!)...it is a sort of art...once you get a feel for the other guy, you can really get some stuff cut-quick and safe. It was one of my fav things to do, after the layout of the set. Nowadays I grab my brother or pa in law to help pull something thru...if they are not avail, I have the folks at store rip on the panel saw....if I ever get my 'building' I'll have me one of those!

cale


Cale,
I can top that one by another level of escalation. When I worked for a cabinet shop that did HIGH end furniture for banks and casinos they invested in a CNC panel cutter. It would chop up and 5 x 12 sheet in seconds. Talk about making scrap faster! LOL!

Yeeeeeeeeeessss that is quite true, did they program in Metric or Imperial? :lol: :lol: