Author Topic: Wood Cutting Question (Read 3609 times)

MrTeamWork · « **on:** March 29, 2003, 07:23:03 pm »

Ok guys, I finally have the wood, I have the plans, and now it's time to cut. I am worried though - how do I make a long cut with the circular saw... and how do I make a 'mitered' cut?

I hope you read this snnakkkee cause you said you are making the same cab ( ultimate arcade II ) and I am wondering how you made the mitered ( angled) cuts?
Thanks all!

hyiu · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2003, 07:54:25 pm »

circular saw can make quite straight cut by itself...

but if you want to ensure the striaght cut... what you can do is spend like $10 or so.... go get a long metal ruler and a couple of clamps.....

then clamp the ruler on the wood as a guide to the saw....
then the cut will be very straight.... I use this for both jig saw and circular saw....

hope it helps...

ps: you'll need a little calculations for the right width for the guide....

eightbit · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2003, 08:39:31 pm »

You can buy commercial saw guides for $10-$20 or make your own.
http://www.signboards.com/howto/saw_guide/index.htm

Wienerdog · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2003, 09:43:54 pm »

What kind of mitered cuts do you have to do? Is it a 45

MrTeamWork · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2003, 10:17:22 pm »

Well my Circular saw is flat, it does not angle I dont think to any degree... it looks like the saw in that link above, it's flat. =/

I cannot think how I can make a angled cut with a handheld circular saw, a table saw I know but I dont have one.

I need to cut a 45 degree angle for the Ultimate Arcade II =/

I cant afford a mitre box or an expensive table saw.. and I did not know the UAII had mitre cuts before I got the plans =/

Any ideas?

kspiff · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2003, 02:10:17 am »

Hm.. your options seem limited, then.. I would either take the wood to Home Depot or someplace similar and see if they would cut it (which they likely will not unless you bought it there within 1 week and have your receipt).. or get a router bit -- if you have one -- for 45 degree edge bevelling (which could end up costing more than a used circular saw).. or pawn your old circular saw and get a used one from a pawn shop that cuts 45 degree angles.. or you might see if your local hardware store rents out tools..

I really can't think of any other ways.

Nervous · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2003, 03:25:39 am »

If your current saw has a cut depth adjustment you could try to max out the cut depth and attach a hunk of wood to one side of the underside of the saw, to make it sit at a 45 degree angle. Then you could slide it down a blade guide to make a straight cut... kinda iffy, but it might work.

Xphile · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2003, 05:10:51 am »

that's kinda dangerous (taking your life in your hands even..) you'd need to raise a standard circular saw probably more than 3 inches on one side(plate to panel) to achieve 45 degree cut.. imagine the tearout and chiping...now imagine the saw bucking up and zapping across your arm/leg/chest :-(
even if you drilled holes in your bottom plate and screwed the chunk of wood to the plate it's still gonna be one hell of an 'exciting' cut..:-)

borrow a neighbour's/co worker's saw, or buy a cheapy at the local pawn shop, but don't try jury rigging your saw to make a cut..even if you don't maime (pun?) yourself, you won't be happy with the quality of cut..

slug54 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2003, 09:21:19 am »

I looked at the picture of the ultimate arcade II.
I think the miter cuts you are asking about are the the ones around the control panel box.if thats what you are referring to , You can pick up a miter box guide for your hand saw
at Sears or Menards for less then $10. Just make sure you get one large enough. I saw one at Sears for $10 bucks
which included the hand saw but this was designed for 2x4's so it's probably only 3 1/2" wide. That may not be large enough. Are you sure your circular saw does not tilt?
Even the 15 year old hunk of junk I have Tilts!.

Slug54

unclet · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2003, 11:25:53 am »

My circular saw did not adjust for separate angles, but my scroll saw (a little handheld tool which has a blade on the front which goes up and down quickly.....like a jigsaw I guess) which I bought 5 years ago at Sears for $20 does. I am sure you can find a cheap scroll saw. Plus if you break a blade, they a cheap to replace. Just go slow and steady...and remember "always check every cut before cutting....especially angled cuts..."

The main tools I used to make my whole cabinet was a circular saw (which did not allow for angles), a scroll saw and a drill.

PS: I have no web space so I can never show off my cabinet......it is very cool looking of course...

Good luck.

hyiu · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2003, 01:06:16 pm »

do not use jig saw for angled cuts !!!!!!

I tried and failed multi-times....
and I used a saw guide with it !!!!

by jigsaw... I mean there is a flat little blade in the front of the saw... and it moves up and down to cut the wood....

my jigsaw is something like this.... (but not the same brand..)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004S90L/102-3531745-8957718?v=glance&s=hi&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER&vi=pictures&img=14#more-pictures

what happened is.... since the blade and small and flat.... its not strong enough to keep moving in the same direction at the right angle...... instead... it tended to tilt or cruved a little and that messed up the cut completely !!!!!!!!
$:-\$ $:-\$

I already have 2 ruined pieces because of this....

circular saw... on the other hand.... since the blade is a circle and larger.... the blade and hang on and give you a straight angled cut....

so... my recommendation is DO NOT USE JIGSAW FOR ANGLED CUT !!!!
.... well.... I'm sure some of the geniuses here are experienced wood workers.. and they can cut anything anyway and it'll come out perfect....

so.... plz take my comment at your own risk....

Nervous · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2003, 03:03:38 pm »

Quote from: Xphile on March 30, 2003, 05:10:51 am

that's kinda dangerous (taking your life in your hands even..) you'd need to raise a standard circular saw probably more than 3 inches on one side(plate to panel) to achieve 45 degree cut.. imagine the tearout and chiping...now imagine the saw bucking up and zapping across your arm/leg/chest :-(
even if you drilled holes in your bottom plate and screwed the chunk of wood to the plate it's still gonna be one hell of an 'exciting' cut..:-)

borrow a neighbour's/co worker's saw, or buy a cheapy at the local pawn shop, but don't try jury rigging your saw to make a cut..even if you don't maime (pun?) yourself, you won't be happy with the quality of cut..

Yeah, it's totally dangerous, I know. But if you're a gambling man...
No really, next time I post something like that I'll include a link to www.howtoapplyatourniquet.com.

Just come up with another saw, your digits will thank you.

Xphile · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2003, 03:30:43 pm »

Quote from: Nervous on March 30, 2003, 03:03:38 pm

Yeah, it's totally dangerous, I know. But if you're a gambling man...
No really, next time I post something like that I'll include a link to www.howtoapplyatourniquet.com.

Just come up with another saw, your digits will thank you.

ROTFLMAO!! :-)

Amra · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2003, 04:14:57 pm »

If your Jigsaw cant do that, then do NOT use it for Mitered cuts, if it CAN, then using a jig (clamping a peice of wood as a guide) will suffice. I have cut many mitered cuts with my Jigsaw, just be careful, go slowly, and if you are unsure... DONT!

Good Luck!

hyiu · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2003, 03:32:35 pm »

I did exactly what Amra did....

my jigsaw can do that...

but somehow... the blade is not strong enough...
(I'm using plywood...) and when I'm cutting thru...
the blade sorts of bend / curved... and it goes out of wack... EVEN when I have a guide and I'm going slow....

so... YMMV.... plz do this slowly and try it on scrap wood...

on the other hand... if you have a circular saw and that saw can do that.... (tilt the level piece...) then circular saw (with guide ) will give you a good tilted cut.... (my experience is circular is much better than jig....)

good luck....

SNAAAKE · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2003, 04:13:00 pm »

i am a jigsaw fan and i am gonna try jigsaw for angle cuts..thanks for that pic Amra.

Thats an idea right there

..however anyone trying with circular saw,DONT !

Its VERY risky with circular saw(angle cuts).

I will post how my cuts go after I am done with it..

shmokes · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2003, 08:03:18 pm »

That's a new one to me...

I've never heard of it being particularly risky (more than usual) to make angled cuts with a cirular saw. On the other hand I don't know anything about woodworking, so I'd love for someone who does know to comment...

Xphile · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2003, 08:08:09 pm »

Quote from: SNAAAKE on March 31, 2003, 04:13:00 pm

Thats an idea right there ..however anyone trying with circular saw,DONT !

Its VERY risky with circular saw(angle cuts).

not true, if your bed angles like the above pic, you can use a
circular saw all you want.

Wienerdog · « **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2003, 08:45:07 pm »

A circular saw will give you a more accurate cut than a jigsaw. A jigsaw blade _WILL_ flex. It may be an acceptable margin of error, if you aren't wildly particular.

If you can't borrow a circular saw from a friend or neighbor, you could always rent one. You can probably get one for $10 to $15 for a day. Check at some local stores for a saw on clearance, and check at garage sales. I picked up a nice Black and Decker circular saw for $15 on clearance at Walmart a couple years ago.

Sasquatch! · « **Reply #19 on:** March 31, 2003, 10:25:26 pm »

Quote from: SNAAAKE on March 31, 2003, 04:13:00 pm

Thats an idea right there ..however anyone trying with circular saw,DONT !

Its VERY risky with circular saw(angle cuts).

NO. Most circular saws will allow you to make mitered cuts (like what Xphile posted). I would most certainly not try to "prop up" a circular saw to do it, but it's perfectly safe to do it with a circular saw that's made for it.

SNAAKE, I know that your intentions are good - and I don't mean to rip on you too badly - but please don't pass off completely erroneous information if you don't know what you're talking about.

hyiu · « **Reply #20 on:** April 01, 2003, 12:42:59 am »

I think what snaaake was refering to is someone said before....

if your circular saw's plate can not be adjusted... just put a piece of wood on 1 side of the saw to raise it and do the angle cut that way....

That is dangerous cos the saw is NOT designed to work that way... and you're exposing the blade while cutting....

but if your circular saw's bottom plate can be adjusted to an angle, it should give you a BETTER angle cut than using the same feature with jigsaw....

well... you'll always need to be careful when using these tools...
but Xphile's pics shows a correct way of how this should be done...

SNAAAKE · « **Reply #21 on:** April 01, 2003, 01:23:13 am »

Quote from: hyiu on April 01, 2003, 12:42:59 am

I think what snaaake was refering to is someone said before....

if your circular saw's plate can not be adjusted... just put a piece of wood on 1 side of the saw to raise it and do the angle cut that way....

That is dangerous cos the saw is NOT designed to work that way... and you're exposing the blade while cutting....

Exactly..thats what I meant..you never know when your hands slip.
The saw blade might just come off and slice your leg or somethin(okay that doesnt happend but still)..man too scary !

..I never try ANYTHING unless I am pretty sure I am doin it right...thats just me(scared of getting my hands cut by saws).

Forget about using circular saws for angle cuts...Not my type

.

The jigsaw idea seems easier(for me).
My brother owns a circular saw so I could borrow that for straight cuts only...dont even need that..Jigsaw works..

Xphile · « **Reply #22 on:** April 01, 2003, 01:41:28 am »

Quote from: hyiu on April 01, 2003, 12:42:59 am

but Xphile's pics shows a correct way of how this should be done...

<sheepish grin>
oops...the second pic has the guy proping his saw up on a tri-square or something to get beyond 45 (like about 51 degrees..it's the only pic I could find showing the saw head on with the bed at 45)...don't do it propped that way..:-)

Xphile · « **Reply #23 on:** April 01, 2003, 01:43:38 am »

Quote from: Sasquatch! on March 31, 2003, 10:25:26 pm

<snip>
I don't mean to rip<snip>

heheh...he said "rip"...

get it? skilsaw...rip...?

oh man, I am toooo tired...

GroovyTuesdaY · « **Reply #24 on:** April 01, 2003, 02:22:44 am »

Holy cow, there are some dareing peopel out there with saws! I am like snake, i am scared to death of cutting off a limb or something. I only use saws that are in my oppinion "safe" to work with heeh. by safe, i mean that there saw blade won't come anyways NEAR any of my digits! HEHEH.

Amra · « **Reply #25 on:** April 01, 2003, 02:58:23 am »

If your Jigsaw blade is either flexing or bending then you must be doing one of two things, possibility one is you are trying to cut your 45

SNAAAKE · « **Reply #26 on:** April 01, 2003, 03:29:43 am »

Quote from: Amra on April 01, 2003, 02:58:23 am

If your Jigsaw blade is either flexing or bending then you must be doing one of two things, possibility one is you are trying to cut your 45

Amra · « **Reply #27 on:** April 01, 2003, 05:25:25 am »

Quote

simple question,can these flexible jigsaws do any angle cuts?
Like i could do a 45 and a 30 degree cuts?
Likes its universal or somethin?

It depends on the Jigsaw, my personal Jigsaw can only do 90

MrTeamWork · « **Reply #28 on:** April 01, 2003, 10:49:16 am »

Well guys I cut all the wood I could yesterday that did not need an angled cut, and now I need to cut 7 pieces with an angle.

The angles are: 45 degress, 11.21 degrees, and 22 degrees or something like that..

My 'Skil' jigsaw can have it's plate removed and tilted to a 45 degree angle, but I don't know how to make the cut.. do I clamp down the wood then just run the saw over the edge? The plans do not make it clear ( at least to me ) for the UAII.

I have no idea how I am going to make the other angled cuts.. I heard of something called a mitre box, but they look small at the Home Depot and I need to cut like a 25 inch section of wood at an angle.

The problem is I can't finish my cab if I cant make the angled cuts, since the angles of the finished pieces fit together snug inside the cabinet when it's done. =/

Can anyone suggest some sort of tool/device/etc that is not too expensive that I can use for the angled cuts?

- Mike

P.S. On another note, I am not a 'cowboy' and would never risk losing fingers over a arcade cabinet using the circular saw in a way that was described in this thread .lol I need my fingers

neuromancer · « **Reply #29 on:** April 01, 2003, 01:16:58 pm »

Quote from: MrTeamWork on April 01, 2003, 10:49:16 am

Well guys I cut all the wood I could yesterday that did not need an angled cut, and now I need to cut 7 pieces with an angle.

The angles are: 45 degress, 11.21 degrees, and 22 degrees or something like that..

My 'Skil' jigsaw can have it's plate removed and tilted to a 45 degree angle, but I don't know how to make the cut.. do I clamp down the wood then just run the saw over the edge? The plans do not make it clear ( at least to me ) for the UAII.

Yes. Use a straightedge clamped to the work to help guide the saw. NOT ALL BLADES ARE EQUAL. Bosh makes some hardened, hollow ground blades that make much cleaner, straighter cuts than the cheap blades you get with the saw.

Can you really not adjust the saw to other angles? It seems like most "continuously variable" designs are cheaper and easier to incorporate than most "multi variable" designs.

You can easily use a jig saw proped up on an angle. You can even use them free hand without any difficulty. It's not like a circular saw that can get loose and "drive off".

Other alternatives that are cheap would be to cut close to the angle, and then use a surform to shave off the rest, or a belt sander. Or you could use a hand saw and a protractor. If you work slowly and check the angle often, you can do a decent job.

The most important thing to remember is that the outside of the work is the most important part. If you cut out too much a few places on the inside, it won't matter, esp. if you glue it up with construction adheasive (aka. "liquid nails").

Bob


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