Replies

1. 
   oldusty | Oct 25, 2008 07:34am | #1

     If I understand you correctly , you can use a router or a belt sander to trim a plywood edge to fit .Some work you can cut large and use a flush trimming router bit to trim .

           dusty

2. 
   hammer1 | Oct 25, 2008 02:49pm | #2

   The best way is to cut the piece accurately the first time. This means developing methods of cutting that won't require you to make corrections.It takes some experience but you are better off not to get into your predicament in the first place. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

   One way to make a fine edge cut on plywood is to use a straight edge clamped to the work and a flush trim bit in your router. You place the straight edge on the line you need to cut to and the bit will cut the plywood flush with the straight edge. This eliminates the edge destruction that would occur if a saw is used for such a thin cut. You will get a little hair on the veneer faces but it won't break up and chip it out.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 26, 2008 11:28pm | #5

   The best way is to cut the piece accurately the first time. This means developing methods of cutting that won't require you to make corrections.It takes some experience but you are better off not to get into your predicament in the first place. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

   Yes.. sounds Harsh BUT very true!  NOT that I have even been there...  LOL  LOL

   Edited 10/26/2008 4:29 pm by WillGeorge

3. 
   sapwood | Oct 25, 2008 10:49pm | #3

   I use my tablesaw whenever possible. It is by far the fastest method, gives good cut edges, and is repeatable with minimal fuss. When the ts isn't possible (large panels, non-parallel cut, etc.) I use my Festool TS 55 with guide rail. I used to use a straight edge and bearing bit in the router but I find the Festool saw to be faster and just as accurate as the router method.

   Most of what I make is plywood based. Contrary to others, it is not always possible or wise to cut it to the proper size the first time. My panel material is usually cut oversize then laid up in my vacuum press to make thicker panels. After that, it's veneered. Only then do I trim to the needed dimensions.

   I'm not a shill for Festool, and I won't enter into any acrimonious debate regarding them. But I have found that their 55 with rail has made my work far easier and more enjoyable. There are other competing brands on the market also.

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Oct 26, 2008 04:14pm | #4

   Amen! The cut edge quality is A-!; as good or better than my Unisaw with a Forrest WWII blade.Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

4. 
   SawdustSteve | Oct 27, 2008 07:24am | #6

   I'll live dangerously and assume that you can get the piece of plywood between the fence and the blade of the tablesaw. Measure the size you need and then using THE SAME ruler, set the fence to blade space. DO NOT use the scale that is mounted on the front rail. My preference is a 2, 3, or 4 foot steel ruler, depending on the size of work that has to be done. I try to stay away from tape measures.

   Most size problems are caused by using two or more rulers when measuring stock and by assuming the scale on the front rail is accurate. Since I switched to the one ruler rule, my cuts are much more accurate and I don't have to remove that 'extra 32nd of an inch.
   SawdustSteve

1. 
   davcefai | Oct 27, 2008 08:34am | #7

   I don't know if I'm missing something here but I use a hand-held electric plane set very fine and work inwards from both edges. Then clean off the hair with a "cheese grater" rasp, hand plane or sandpaper.

5. 
   ring | Oct 27, 2008 03:06pm | #8

   If you can accurately cut it right the first time then that's obviously preferable. Any system which systematically does an action twice is not commercially viable, and it goes without saying that no professional shop I know of cuts twice as a matter of policy.

   OK, mistakes happen everywhere. If I need to trim plywood, then luckily my tablesaw with sliding carriage will do a perfect job of it. I can easily trim off 1/64" or smaller...in fact, the limit is only how little one can move the fence stop.

   If I didn't have that TS I'd opt for a setup like the Festool guide.

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e