Cutting Angles

[pinballwizard79]

So I am considering a scratch built as my next project.

I understand how using a router, straight edge & circular saw get nearly everything done but how the heck do I cut MDF at an angle to meet other panels?

Any insight would be helpful, thanks.

[Chadwick]

Do you mean a bevel?

Most circular saws can be adjusted between 0 and 45 degrees for bevel cuts.

Likewise any table saw.

[pinballwizard79]

Yeah, a bevel.

Thanks, now I know to look for a saw with those abilities.

What about cutting laminate on a 45 degree angle?

Do I apply the laminate to the MDF & then cut or do I cut, apply laminate & then use a router?

Wait, can I router at 45 degrees?

Sorry for questions that may sound silly, scratch builts are new to me.

[jban4us]

Cutting a perfect 45 degree angle with a circular saw is going to be pretty hard. Cutting a "good enough to use wood putty to hide how it isn't perfect" 45 degree angle isn't too bad. I did it the second way and I'm sure the imperfections wont be noticeable when it is finished.

You can get bevel router bits if you are willing to shell out 20 bucks or so for perfection. A table saw would be even easier.

I've never done laminate, it was slightly out of budget this time around. From what I've seen you cut about what it should be, cement it on, then route around it. I'm not sure how you would do the angled piece.

[Blanka]

If you laminate, why use angles then? no-one will see!
But the table-saw is by far the easiest, as it can be set to every angle between 0 and 45, and 1/10 degree increases are possible to set (don't know if you would see the difference though). With a router you need a bit for every angle.

[Chadwick]

A 45 degree chamfer bit is what you'll need if you're going to use your router, this should be done after you laminate.

Cutting pre-laminated woood without the proper sawblade and skill level will lead to chipping of the laminate.