Cutting 4x8 sheets

[GPintheMitten]

Large table extensions sound good to support 4 x8 sheets. How do you guide the sheet to get a precise cut on the cut line? Thanks.

 

[Deere Dude]

Use an edge clamp. Quick and easy. Mine does angles too. They go to 50"or more.

If you're tired of measuring make a jig to your preset measurements.

View attachment 454480

Great idea. I just put one in the cart at HD.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Issue 254 of Fine Homebuilding had a track saw test. Of course, the Festool was rated the best overall. The Makita came in as best value but still pricey at 520.

I have a couple of straight edges for cutting sheet goods. My first was in two pieces with a tapered channel that another piece would join the two together. To much flex. The next one I bought was extruded, 3/4 of an inch thick and strong enough not to flex. It has two clamps that slide in the ends. For my needs, I can put up with aligning the tool on my pencil lines and moving back and forth to tighten the clamps.

I never used a track saw but I see these tools as a way to get precision cuts on the job site where you do not have the benefit of a stationary shop setup.

Your idea sounds good but if it was me and I had the room, I would set up a table saw to handle the sheets of plywood. While what you are building is not cabinet grade, you still want nice even cuts. Can't beat a table saw for that.

 

[PILOON]

Another trick for sheet cutting with a table saw.

I obtained an 8 ft or so Arborite counter top bull nose strip that was going the way of trash.
It was about 4" wide X 96" long.
I added a 1 x 4 just behind the bull nose to strengthen the strip.
I fitted a leg to one end equal to my bench saw surface and clamp the other end to the side of my table saw top.
That handy device eliminates the need for a helper when I need to slit 4 x 8 sheets lengthwise.
My only tricky part then is the hefting a 4 x 8 sheet onto the setup but do able .
The Arborite is slick enough for any ply to slide easily.

 

[Egon]

Table Saw? You want one with a sliding sled.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I used to do a lot of site built cabinets and bookcases. I used my Delta contractor's saw which I have had for 25 years, with extended table and special fence. See pic, mine is exactly the same. I put a 4 ft outfeed table and a 4 ft infeed table with formica top over plywood. Spread a little sawdust, your plywood will just about cut itself. That fence is highly accurate, with adjustable gauge, you can cut within about half a hair width every time exactly the same. That is not an exaggeration. I dunno what that setup costs today or if it is even available at the same level of quality. But that solved my 4x8 sheet problems completely. I preferred it over the Delta Unisaw because it can be set up anywhere, easy to take it apart into manageable components and transport where you need it.

 

[joefromga]

I used to do a lot of site built cabinets and bookcases. I used my Delta contractor's saw which I have had for 25 years, with extended table and special fence. See pic, mine is exactly the same. I put a 4 ft outfeed table and a 4 ft infeed table with formica top over plywood. Spread a little sawdust, your plywood will just about cut itself. That fence is highly accurate, with adjustable gauge, you can cut within about half a hair width every time exactly the same. That is not an exaggeration. I dunno what that setup costs today or if it is even available at the same level of quality. But that solved my 4x8 sheet problems completely. I preferred it over the Delta Unisaw because it can be set up anywhere, easy to take it apart into manageable components and transport where you need it.

I have the same setup. I have a same height catch table as well. Works great. Slide 1"mdf by myself.

 

[BoylermanCT]

Whenever possible, I have Home Depot or Lowes cut the plywood for me. If I need to cut it at home, I have two 4' aluminum straightedges that fasten together to form an 8' guide which I clamp to the plywood and run my skil saw along.

 

[bamboozled]

Once you get a tracksaw, you'll never use a table saw to rip sheet goods again. They are that good.

The beauty in them is the amount of space they DON'T take up. You spend the time setting them up and take good care of the tracks and you will love it. It's one of my favorite tools and I am very particular about cutting things precise and straight. I've got a 104" fence and a 54" fence (or thereabouts) and it has saved me so much time since I've gotten it.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Using a track saw is MILES ahead of a straight edge and circle saw.... Anyone that says they are the same thing, don't know what they are talking about...

SR