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 ...
- 20.1k
20
votes
Accepted
What is the recommended height of the blade on a table saw while operating?
If you call up Freud and ask, they'll tell you that you want one full tooth to clear the top of the wood, but no more.
There are a couple of reasons for that recommendation- first is safety. A tooth ...
- 4,382
15
votes
Should I do many shallow quick cuts or a single deep slow one with my router?
For cuts with a router, slow also can mean burnt material.
If I have a complex profile to cut, I either break it into multiple passes with multiple bits, or I sneak up on it, going slightly deeper ...
- 4,382
14
votes
Accepted
Should I do many shallow quick cuts or a single deep slow one with my router?
Always make sure your bits are sharp and take small bites with the router.
If the router bit travels too slowly, it can burn and/or burnish your workpiece. Heat from taking too large a bite or moving ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
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 ...
- 3,835
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 ...
- 61.8k
10
votes
Accepted
How can I cut plywood in a straight line on a smaller table saw freehand?
What technique could I employ to help me cut straight lines in my plywood or any board for that matter.
I can't recommend any technique for cutting straight lines freehand on a table saw because you ...
- 8,911
10
votes
What is the recommended height of the blade on a table saw while operating?
The common argument for raising the blade is that the front of the blade is making a more downward cut, theoretically reducing the chance of kickback and increasing cut quality. While this may produce ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
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 to make a long shallow cut on a narrow piece of wood with a circular saw
You need a guide board. Figure out the distance from the edge of the circular saw blade to the edge of the plate, preferably not the side that the motor hangs over, or your board will have to be very ...
- 376
9
votes
What is the recommended height of the blade on a table saw while operating?
I set the blade to the minimum height that is required to make the cut, typically about 1/8" above.
There isn't really a need to have it higher for purposes of clearing the sawdust. If you look at ...
- 8,036
9
votes
How do I cut thick wood with a jigsaw?
First of all, most jigsaw blades can easily cut 1 3/4". A regular 4" blade will usually have a cutting capacity of 3", which is more than enough. Naturally you should go slow, letting the saw do the ...
- 3,335
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 ...
- 3,481
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 (...
- 435
8
votes
Accepted
Turning a railroad tie into a bench, how to make a cut?
I don't know how "pretty" it needs to be when its done but rough cuts can easily be done with a chainsaw or a reciprocating saw with a long enough blade. A quick search shows blades that are 10" long ...
- 20.1k
8
votes
cutting board turned green!
It would interesting to see a picture of the board to help diagnose what the problem is. However, like Graphus said it is very unlikely that the boards have been properly dried after only three ...
- 15.4k
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 ...
- 61.8k
7
votes
Should I do many shallow quick cuts or a single deep slow one with my router?
I've tried both with a router. Cutting a 3/8th in deep groove though a board is a lot more work and it is a lot easier to mess it up. I burned a lot more wood. You also have to push harder which ...
- 15.4k
7
votes
Cutting a wooden box into 2 pieces, with special shape
Warning
I don't think it necessary but there are several links in this answer that are directly related to the horror movie Hellraiser. If you have issues with that type of content don't click on the ...
- 20.1k
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 ...
- 5,541
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 ...
- 9,111
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 ...
- 3,335
6
votes
Should I do many shallow quick cuts or a single deep slow one with my router?
I always "knew" the answer, but I didn't know why. So I emailed the question to router expert Pat Warner. His web site contains a wealth of information on safe, efficient use of a router. His ...
- 8,036
6
votes
Turning a railroad tie into a bench, how to make a cut?
Use a chainsaw or horizontal bandsaw to remove a 2"x8"x10' slice, then cut the ends off that slice, trim to the desired angle, and glue the ends back on.
Or go Roy Underhill on that railroad tie and ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
6
votes
Turning a railroad tie into a bench, how to make a cut?
With the others I recommend to take care if your railroad tie is an actual tie that was treated and not just one cut to size.
Now I'm going to recommend the adz, it's an ax like tool that has been ...
- 15.4k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible