26
votes
Accepted
Is working with MDF going to kill me?
Is working MDF bad for your health?
Yes but only if you are ignorant of your tools and materials.
It certainly can be. However the answer of "Yes" is misleading as the concerns surrounding ...
- 20.2k
13
votes
Accepted
Is it better to let the tool run or stop in-between cuts?
Generally, that is the right thing to do. Obviously you wouldn't let a power tool run all day when you don't need it, or even walk away and let it run unattended. But keeping it running in between ...
- 3,895
13
votes
Accepted
How can I make precise corner or notch cuts on the edge of a board?
I presume it's obvious but I'll say it anyway, accurate layout and marking on the wood is an all-important first step.
I have used my jigsaw or chisel for similar cuts on other projects. While I ...
- 64.5k
10
votes
What's the best way to neatly cut a wooden cube in half, removing little material?
I am hesitant about the best way of cutting the blocks in half as cleanly as possible and without removing too much material.
Let me present a slightly different tack here.
Looking at the first link ...
- 12.1k
10
votes
Accepted
Tungsten Carbide grades
Regarding C1, C2, ... C6 carbide grades, higher numbers mean harder, but at the same time more brittle. C1 carbide cuts softer metals like aluminum and C6 carbide cuts hardest metals like steel.
What ...
- 156
10
votes
Accepted
Why a 5hp 14" table saw?
As a DIYer, there's no compelling reason for you to go out shopping for a 14" table saw. That said, if you're asking because there happens to be a 14" table saw available to you for an irresistible ...
- 440
9
votes
Accepted
How do I cut a hole into a cutting board for a handle
Drill 2 holes (brace and bit if you're being serious about "hand" tools) with a forstner bit (or hole saw), then connect them with a cut using a coping (or jig) saw. Chisel/file/sand as needed.
To ...
- 3,841
9
votes
Accepted
Cutting a wooden ball in four pieces
This is what I would do:
make those 4 equal parts separately as 4 little tetrahedrons - that way I'd be able to make sure the angles are correct
make inter-contact surfaces as good fit as I can (...
- 559
8
votes
Accepted
Does having more teeth on a saw blade help it last longer?
Intuitively, yes, this would be the case, but the question you are asking is potentially putting the cart before the horse. One generally would not choose tooth count based on how long they want the ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
8
votes
Cutting copper with woodworking saws
Would cutting the copper tubing be likely to damage the blade
I doubt it since copper is one of the softest metals going, and bandsaw blades of spring-temper steel are already regularly used to saw ...
- 64.5k
7
votes
Accepted
Accurately cutting large (4x8) stock to size
Measure, mark, place fence, measure again before you cut. E.g. stick your circular saw on the piece like you're about to start, mark the blade position, check with a tape measure before pulling the ...
- 5,613
7
votes
What techniques are there to find the optimal wood cutting list for a project?
If you're looking for quick and easy, I am currently using CutList Plus (no affiliation) and it does everything you mentioned in your question. I don't want this to sound like too much of a software ...
- 4,788
7
votes
How can I cut veneer with a hand saw and not chip it?
With a handsaw, one trick is to score through the veneer with a straightedge and sharp knife. Then use a finely-toothed blade, and let the blade do the work rather than trying to force it into the ...
- 9,191
7
votes
Easiest way to make 5000 cuts'?
The important thing is to set up a jig or fixture so you can quickly and easily make repeat cuts. You could rig up a fence/guide and sled for your scroll saw and use a very fine blade, but for such ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
7
votes
Advice for cutting a thick, wide, poplar board
You could rip it both on the table saw and on the band saw.
With the table saw, you'll need to do at least two cuts, as the depth of cut probably is around 3". If the board is straight and has a ...
- 3,565
6
votes
Accepted
Build a grid out of vertical, thin wood bars
Yes, this is a great way to make such a grid, although you want the joints to be as tight as possible vs. cutting the slots slightly wider than the slats. With a looser fit, the grid will be more ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
6
votes
How do I cut a hole into a cutting board for a handle
With hand tools only, I suppose the way is to use a coping saw. You drill a small hole inside the waste of the handle, and then pass the coping saw's blade through the hole. This will allow you to ...
- 3,565
6
votes
Accepted
How should I cut a sheet of plywood for easy re-joining?
Congrats on an excellently done question!
In terms of how to cut the board apart I don't think it matters that much, but with an angled cut providing a wider glue surface area that will provide a ...
- 64.5k
6
votes
How do I cut a hole into a cutting board for a handle
Drill first and pare with a chisel would be the easiest way to remove the most material faster and you would clean up the inside edge with a paring chisel.
Using auger bits that are the exact width ...
- 20.2k
6
votes
Accepted
How to remove a smaller cube from the end of a wooden beam
I ended up doing the job with a jigsaw and a drill. Jigsaw saws are available in several sizes. One of them went exactly 10cm deep. Of course it would bang into the wood if I would saw the 3 plains. ...
6
votes
Accepted
Easiest way to make 5000 cuts'?
I need to make 5000 3mm slices, preferably within a few hours.
Best of luck with that! If we assume "a few hours" is three hours that's one cut every 21 seconds with no breaks or pauses. If you ...
- 64.5k
6
votes
Table saw bogging down more than usual
Test the same blade on some softwood you've cut before as a control. Still bogging down? It's the saw. Rate of cut the same as you're used to? It's the hickory and you just have to live with how ...
- 64.5k
6
votes
How do you cut a 4x8 in half without a panel saw?
I lay the sheet on top of a 4x8 piece of 2in pink foam insulation board and then just walk/crawl on top of it while pushing the saw along the track. Unless it's a really delicate material, I've never ...
- 81
6
votes
Accepted
How to cut a square hole about 1" deep into the wood
Square holes in wood are mortises. We call them that even if it's not part of a mortise-and-tenon joint, hence "chiselling out the mortise for a lock" and other references you'll come across....
- 64.5k
5
votes
Accepted
How can I improve my strategy for flush trimming with a router?
Table vs. handheld depends on what you are trimming flush to what and whether it's easier to move the workpiece or the tool.
"Carpet tape" is the woodworking standard double-sided tape.
For cleanest ...
- 9,191
5
votes
Build a grid out of vertical, thin wood bars
For what it is worth I have also made something like this. I fitted an old flute case with partitions to hold my collectible playing cards. At this time I did not own a table saw so it was not ...
- 20.2k
5
votes
How to remove a smaller cube from the end of a wooden beam
Here are two approaches:
Saw and chisels. This is the easiest and least expensive approach. A sharp hand saw will make short work of cutting into the wood on all three faces cutting a triangular ...
- 8,274
5
votes
Accepted
What are the precautions to take when working with Desert Ironwood
Cut slowly. Watch out for kickback. Be aware that blades/bits will dull faster than they would on a softer wood.
I'm not sure what family "desert ironwood" belongs to, but Ipe (the most common "...
- 9,191
5
votes
Should I resaw before or after gluing up thin panels?
I would resaw first. An 8" resaw is going to take lots of skill and luck to achieve. If the 8" board is only slightly out of plumb (an issue of skill) at any point during the cut, you will very ...
- 3,667
5
votes
Accepted
Pocket hole tearout
You have two things happening here. First is loose pocket hole plugs. Second is tear-out of the veneer face of the plywood.
For the problem of loose pocket hole plugs, you will want to make sure you ...
- 2,762
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible