How To Cut 4X8 Plywood On Table Saw?

The layering of plywood makes it difficult to cut. However, having a table saw comes in handy when you havea pile of plywood pieces to cut. So, today’s article is about how to cut 4×8 plywood on table saw.

You have to measure and mark the plywood sheets, use the proper blade, adjust the height, and cut the sheets into your measured pieces. Whether you need to use a fence or a miter gauge will depend on your preferred cut.

If all that sounds a bit confusing to you, make sure to read the entire article to get a clear idea about the process.

How To Cut 4X8 Plywood On Table Saw?

If your table saw is sitting in the garage to be used for cutting plywood, it’s time to get to work. The process below will help you get a thorough idea about utilizing your table saw to its highest potential. Let’s cut some plywood sheets.

Step 1: Choose The Right Blade

Before getting to the actual process, you will have to gather everything required for the process. The most important part of a table saw is the blade. Different materials demand different types of blades.

For plywood, you will need a blade with high teeth count. Consider getting a blade that comes with 80 teeth count. It’s also mandatory that you use a sharp blade for cutting plywood.

The blade that comes with your table saw is often not suitable enough to make clean cuts. So, it’s a good idea to invest in a high teeth count blade before starting the procedure.

Step 2: Clean Your Table Saw

Your table saw must be clean and free of rust when cutting plywood. This can be a complicated material to cut. So, you have to be entirely prepared for it.

Once the table saw is thoroughly cleaned, attach the blade you are going to use for cutting the plywood sheets.

Step 3: Adjust The Blade Height

The blade has to be higher than the board’s height. Nonetheless, make sure not to make it more than one inch higher than the material’s height. This is an excellent way to be safe and cleanly cut the material.

Step 4: Measure And Mark

It’s timeto measure and mark theplywood sheets. Use a measuring tape and a permanent marker to mark the sheets. Draw lines by measuring the sheet in 4×8 pieces.

Use an accurate measuring tape. Many people directly cut the pieces using the in-built measuring scale of the table saw. Unfortunately, the in-built measurements are not always accurate, causing the sheets to become the wrong size.

Step 5: Protective Gears

A table saw can be one of the most dangerous tools. That’s why you have to prepare yourself before operating the table saw. First of all, you need to take care of the dust. Wearing a mask is mandatory.

You will also need to protect your ears. Table saws can generally be loud. However, if you’re searching for a quieter miter saw, check my article on most quiet table saw.

Wear proper clothing and a pair of goggles too. A table saw is one of those tools that require utmost protection before use.

Step 6: Material Placement

Now, you will have to bring the material on the table saw. Placement is important when you’re cutting plywood. If you’re making rip cuts, use the fence to adjust the placement. In case you’re crosscutting, use a miter gauge.

Step 7: Turn On The Table Saw

The next step is to start cutting the plywood. Turn the saw on and allow the blade to reach maximum speed. The blade spikes should be facing the way you’re feeding the plywood.

Press the board strongly downward and toward the fence. Now, slowly push forward to feed the plywood to the blade. Keep a steady pace until the entire board is cut into two pieces.

Wait for the blade to stop entirely. Then, remove the pieces and measure them. If the measurement is accurate and precise, move on to the next piece. In case the measurement isn’t accurate, cut according to the requirement.

What Other Tool Can Cut Plywood?

A table saw is not the only tool you can use to cut plywood. There are other tools that will cut plywood even more cleanly than a table saw. Let’s learn about all the tools you can use to utilize the information when necessary.

Circular Saw

One common tool you will hear about from people who often cut plywood is a circular saw. With the right blade attached to a circular saw, you can easily cut any piece of plywood without any difficulties.

It’s easy to get a cleaner cut with a circular saw. That’s why many people prefer circular saws over table saws when it comes to cutting plywood. If you want to know the process of cutting plywood with a circular saw, Start Woodworking Now has an excellent article on it.

Jigsaw

Another option you can consider is a jigsaw. Even though it will take longer to cut with a jigsaw compared to a circular saw, it’s a trustworthy option. One reason is that it’s safe.

You can also have better control when using a jigsaw. Use the correct blade type and measure the boards before getting started. If you are comfortable using a jigsaw, you can certainly consider this one as an option.

Safety Tips For Cutting Plywood With Table Saw

Using a table saw can be frightening for beginners. If you are only starting out with a table saw, there are some things you should be aware of.

• It’s better to stand on the left side of the table saw. This will create a safe zone for you by creating a barrier with the fence between you and the blade.
• Avoid having anyone around when you’re operating the table saw.
• Make sure to locate the emergency switch to turn the table saw off in case an unwanted situation arises.
• Keep the working area clean. A cluttered workshop can be a reason for an accident.
• Unless you’re cutting something with your saw, keep the cable unplugged from the electric outlet. Only plug it in when you’re ready to run the blade.
• Make sure that you’re wearing appropriate clothing when the machine is running. This includes avoiding jewelry, loose clothes, and long sleeves.
• Do not use a blunt blade when cutting plywood. This will not only splinter the material but also make the process comparatively unsafe.
• The best-looking face of the plywood sheet should be looking up when you’re cutting it.
• Do not set the blade more than one inch higher than the plywood’s height. The golden rule is to set the blade one tooth higher than the material’s height.
• Make sure to install a high-quality dust collection system before getting started with the table saw. There can be a lot of dust when you are operating this tool.
• Wear goggles to protect your eyes from flying pieces of plywood.
• Use a mask to protect your mouth and nose from dust. The dust can cause respiratory problems.
• Don’t forget to use earmuffs to protect your ears from the table saw’s loudness.
• Read the user manual of your table saw before getting started with it. Make sure that the table saw is installed right. Also, check if it is compatible with materials like plywood.
• Keep an extra blade near at hand when you’re cutting larger loads of plywood. The existing blade can get blunt and require replacing. Having a spare one will avoid the necessity to pause between work sessions.

Frequently Asked Question

Final Words

As you can see, it’s not difficult to learn how to cut 4×8 plywood on table saw, even if you are a newbie. As long as you are using the right components and following some important steps, you can consistently get clean cuts. No matter how large the pile is, you will get your work done in no time. If you have a table saw, you should certainly utilize it whenever possible.

Cutting plywood requires some extra attention. However, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get perfectly cut pieces of plywood when you have a table saw on your hands.