Hello,
I’m just about to begin cutting the boards for the nightstand. My friend thinks it’s absolutely necessary to putty the wood first. I’ve decided that’s not necessary. But what concerns me is he thinks he can cut the 4ft wide panels on the table saw. he’ll probably end up damaging the saw blade. There’s no way he can get an accurate cut using the table saw. I suggested we use the jigsaw to cut the 16 X 48 inch panels in half ( 24 inches) and then cut them to the proper dimension using the table saw…. 23 3/4 inch long X 16 inches wide. I have no idea why he’s against cutting the long panels using the jigsaw. All I need to do is clamp a straightedge across the panel to guide the jigsaw and away I go. Unfortunately I don’t own a circular saw with an edge guide. But I see nothing wrong with using what I do have and that’s a jigsaw to cut the panels.
Wanda
Replies
Your approach is perfectly valid. I normally use a circular saw and straightedge to cut sheet goods to a manageable size before cutting to final dimension on the table saw, and using a jigsaw for this purpose would work jsut fine. Note, however, that using a crosscut sled on the table saw would work well for the size stock you mentioned, unless the table saw is too close to obstructions to allow the operation. In fact, depending on the finished stock size needed, I would consider stock considerably larger than 16 x 48 to still be a manageable size on the table saw.
Dick Baker
"I suggested we use the jigsaw to cut the 16 X 48 inch panels in half"
Wanda,
I had to straighten the edge of some 16'x12"x1" oak boards not to long ago. Jigsaw and a penciled in chalk line worked for me. (And I have a table saw and jointer). You have excellent control with a jigsaw.
On the other hand
"But what concerns me is he thinks he can cut the 4ft wide panels on the table saw. he'll probably end up damaging the saw blade. There's no way he can get an accurate cut using the table saw."
As wide as they are, they are not going to warp, and IMO your friend is probably right.
Jon
Hi again Wanda,
A properly set up table saw could easily cut a sheet of plywood down the middle, in the many shops it would be the tool of choice for ripping plywood. A table saw would certainly be faster and more accurate than using a jigsaw, but time probably isn't a factor and the accuracy can be dealt with after the panel is roughly cut to size with a jigsaw.
For a cut like this a table saw needs to be properly tuned, have a sturdy fence, the appropriate blade, and have adequate outfeed and side tables to support the stock while the cut is being made.
John W.
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