Cabinet Cutting Question...

[shawnzilla]

When cutting the two sides of my cabinet, is it generally better to:
a) Clamp two sheets of MDF together and cut both sides at the same time?
b) Cut the two sheets seperately?

[thedemo]

Clamping the 2 sides together and then cutting would make the 2 sides basically identical. Then you would use a circular saw with a straight edge to make the cuts. The only problem with this would be at inside corners. Since the circular saw doesn't cut straight up and down it kinda cuts on a back 45 degree angle. You would have to flip the sheets over to finish the cut with the circular saw. Or you probably could use a jigsaw, but you would need to find really long blades. Most jigsaws don't have a stroke long enough with a standard blade to cut through an 1 1/2inches of MDF. Otherwise any other straight on across the sheet cut will be great with the circular saw.

[Brentley_11]

I would go with "a" but I'd say that It would depend on your accuracy and the tools you have to work with.  At home I have a dinky table saw and I wouldn't trust raising the blade to cut 2 sheets at once but at school, I have access to a very big and good table saw and I would definitely cut 2 at once time.

[Homebrew]

Ideally i think it would be best to cut both sheets at once for accuracy's sake.  But as mention, its a bit more difficult to do this.  I tried this at first, but decided against it when i got to the first non straight cut.  My jigsaw couldn't handle cutting the curve through 2 sheets.  Something to keep in mind if you cut the sheets individually is that as long as you are recessing the other panels 1/2" to 3/4" like you typically see, its gonna be hard to notice slight differences in the 2 sides.  Its only when you have pieces that are flush can you notice differences.  Does that make any sense?  If not i'll try to clarify.

-Kevin

[BobA]

If you have the equipment to do it then you could cut both sheets together for accuracy.   2 sheets of MDF are very heavy and you would probably need help making the initial cuts because of the weight of the sheets.

BobA

[slug54]

I clamped mine together and cut them with a circular saw.
If i remember right, I made all the cuts except for the part
that parallels the monitor near where the glass mounts to the sides and above the C-panel.
I then un-clamped the sheets and did a plunge cut with the circ saw to make this cut on each sheet. I cut the remaining 2 "or 3 " between the cuts with my jig saw.
My cab is based on a defender machine and that was the only cut that was tough to make.

                          Slug54
 
 

[pocketz]

i clamp them together and use a circular saw for the long straight cuts. i use a jigsaw for the curves and corners. i didnt have a problem with the jigsaw, go real slow so the blade doesnt twist. then i used a power sander to even up all the edges.

-pocketz

[shmokes]

I was planning to cut them separately, choose one for my guide and route the other down to make them exact.  Is there any reason not to do it this way?

[thedemo]

that idea will work, using a flush cutting bit...

probably gonna kill the router bit especially if you go to fast