Cutting 4x8 sheets

TheSpoon · Jan 21, 2016

tow653 said:
Festool makes a good track saw.

They better for the price of it.

Sawyer Rob · Jan 21, 2016

Track saw is the bomb for cutting down sheets of plywood...

Buy a good brand, NOT some Chinese copy though!

SR

MMagis · Jan 21, 2016

Guess it depends on how many you make and how much you want to spend. A good panel saw would certainly be the "best" way. This is just one example, cost varies quite a bit.
Safety Speed Cut Panel Pro 2 Saw PRO2K - Rockler Woodworking Tools

gsganzer · Jan 21, 2016

Look for a used panel saw. It makes cutting large sheets a 1 man operation and is much safer.

I bought a used Dewalt panel saw for $400

Milwaukee panel saw

Or use this idea and make a version of your own, Homemade panel saw

EddieWalker · Jan 21, 2016

Are you cutting plywood every day, once a week or just a few times a month? I tend to cut plywood several times a year and can go months at a time without having to cut it. Depending on what I'm doing, most of the time I just lay it across the sides of my truck bed and cut it with my cordless circular saw. If I'm building a cabinet or something that needs more accuracy, I use my portable Bosch table saw with 5 rollers set up around it to support the sheet of plywood as I'm cutting it. Once I'm set up, I can do this by myself quickly and easily. When I finally build my big workshop, I'll probably build a table to go around my table saw to support the plywood and double as another counter to work on. I've always wanted a panel saw, I think that would be the best tool for the job, but I've never actually used one and don't want to spend the money on getting one. Can you rip strips of plywood an inch wide, 8 feet long on a panel saw? What about a track saw?

bigtiller · Jan 21, 2016

Gunny said:
Two Essential Saw Cutting Guides | The Family Handyman

TheSpoon said:
Free Circular Saw Cutting Guide Plan - Free Panel Saw Plans

Gunny and Spoon are spot on, for an economical method to cut large sheets of plywood. I made one out of scraps that is only 6' long and i get by with it but an 8' one would be better. My 6' one workes best for cutting plywood on the 4' side.

bamboozled · Jan 21, 2016

I have a Dewalt track saw. Works pretty good and less expensive than the Festool.

ferrari99 · Jan 21, 2016

Thanks for all your replies. I am looking for something more efficient then a circular saw a guide. I've considered a track saw but it's not much better. I want something that I don't have to measure every cut. I like the idea of a panel saw and that's basically what I would like to build. Any thoughts on my design?
Here is a pretty nice homemade one. I only need to be able to crosscut not rip though. I would also make mine steel frame. And mine would be running on proper ball bearings. DIY panel saw - 2ManyProjects

GPintheMitten · Jan 21, 2016

Your thread got me looking around the Internet for home made panel saws. I saw that one and a few others that looked pretty good. There was also a commercial made kit with all the hardware including a polycarbonate mount for the saw.
https://youtu.be/tVubVWzgm_s

That one starts at $259 US, You supply the saw and wood to construct the frame.