MDF stands for Medium density fibers. It’s a type of wood that is used for furniture and cabinetry. This blog composition will outline how to cut MDF with a circular saw, which is the favored system over using a jigsaw.
Table of Contents
Safety Rules for MDF Cutting
MDF is a truly popular material for cutting with a circular saw. It can be cut on the smoothest of wood bottoms and it’s resistant to moisture and pests. Still, like any tool, there are safety rules that must be followed when using a circular saw for MDF cutting. First, always wear applicable safety gear including eye protection, hearing protection, and a dust mask. Second, use the correct blade for your circular saw. Different blades are designed for different types of paraphernalia, so be sure to use the right bone for MDF. Ultimately, keep your hands well clear of the blade while cutting.
Cutting MDF with a Circular Saw
Still, you can easily cut MDF, if you have a circular saw and a straight edge.
- Set the blade height so that it just cuts the face of the MDF. Be careful not to go too high or too low, or you’ll start sawing through the wood.
- Make a mark about 1″ from one corner of the piece of MDF. Make sure the blade is lined up perfectly with this mark so that your cut will be straight.
- Saw slowly and steadily along the pronounced line, making sure to maintain indeed pressure on the blade. The blade will make truly small, clean cuts in the MDF.
Which Circular Saw to Buy?
When it comes to cutting MDF, a circular saw can be a truly helpful tool. Still, the type of saw you buy can make a big difference in the quality and delicacy of your cuts. Also are some factors to consider when choosing the right circular saw for your design.
Blade Size and Speed. The size and speed of the blade on your circular saw determine how easily it will cut through the material. For utmost MDF systems, a blade that is between 18 and 24 elevation in fringe with a speed of around 3000 RPM is ideal.
Type of Blade Guard and Foot Plate
The type of blade guard and bottom plate on your circular saw will affect how comfortable you are working with the tool. A guard that flips up or down allows you to use both hands to hold the material while the saw cuts; this is important for accurate cuts. A bottom plate that tilts allows you to work at an angle, which is helpful for cutting tight spaces or around angles.
Features to Consider
Other features that you may want to consider include a machine oiler, a dust collection system, and a blade copse. A machine oiler automatically lubricates the blade before each use, which reduces disunion and makes cutting
Types of Wood
When you are cutting wood with a circular saw, you are using a blade that is mounted on the motor. The blade circles around the motor and cuts the wood.
There are three types of blades that you can use with a circular saw crosscut, rip cut, and miter cut. Crosscut blades cut across the grain of the wood while rip cut blades cut against the grain. Miter cut blades carve angled joints by cutting both in the direction of the angle and against the grain.
When choosing a blade for your design, make sure to consider the material that you are cutting and your intended use for the design. For illustration, if you are cutting plywood, choose a miter or rip-cut blade. However, choose a crosscut blade, if you are cutting hardwood.
Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is a man-made material typically used in construction of cabinets, shelves and wall units because of its strength, ease of machining and lack of a grain. MDF is commonly available at home centers with a white melamine panel laminated to it, available in a variety of thicknesses and sizes. Chipping the laminate is the most common problem during cutting, and it cannot be easily repaired. The use of sharp, carbide-tipped blades makes it much easier to cut MDF without chipping the laminate.
Step1
Install the laminate blade on your table saw, and adjust the height of the blade to approximately 1/2 inch higher than the MDF.
Clean the surface of the table saw to remove any foreign objects that could cause scratches in the laminate.
Step 3
Support the laminate as required for safe table saw operation. Observe all safety precautions recommended by the saw manufacturer. Laminated MDF is capable of generating small wood and laminate chips, so eye protection is crucial.
Step 4
Start the saw and feed the material slowly into the blade. Feed the material until the cut is completed.
Although a table saw will give satisfactory results, the best results will be obtained with a router and a carbide straight flute bit. Cut the material slightly oversized, and then use the router to trim to size. You will want to use either a router table or a jig to assure a straight edge.
Conclusion
Still, you know that it can be a challenging process, if you’ve ever tried for wood cut to size with a circular saw. In this composition, we’ll show you how to avoid some of the common misapprehensions and get the swish results possible when cutting MDF with a circular saw. Be sure to read through our tips before starting your design so that you can have success from launch to finish. However, try the barricade- It system, If you’re looking for an edge to edge design. It’s made of interlocking aluminum channels that push together when the blade passes through them. This makes it so your barricade doesn’t slip, indeed if you do have a moving blade. The barricade panels also lock together on this system, making it ideal for systems with small gaps between boards and/ or pieces that don’t fit perfectly together like side tables and end tables.