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As above really. I need to fabricate a wine rack from kitchen end panels so the cut edges will be on view, all be it not straight on, but visable none the less. Obviously a jigsaw its out as they only cut wonky edges that get covered up. Ideally a table saw would be the best bet I suppose. Perhaps a good cutting guide on a hand held circular saw? Or is a router a good option?
Own a God phone? Try an iCutter 😀
If you've got a jigsaw then used that...
You'll also find a length of 2 x 1 or similar useful...
Measure distance from jigsaw blade to edge of the plate the saw rests on when cutting.
Mark your cutting line, then mark again with the above measurement.
Line your piece of wood / guide with the second line and screw / clamp it down.
Offer up the jigsaw and take a look - if all lines up then off you go... if not, adjust.
NOTE - screw to, and cut from THE BACK of the piece you are cutting i.e. - the face that will be visible when installed will be face down on your work bench (protect if needed..)
HTH
Festo tools, not cheap but utterly brilliant.
I always use a router. I cut to within a couple of mm with a saw then clamp a straight offcut of worktop parallel to the line and use it as a router guide. All you have to do then is make sure you move the router in the correct direction to get a perfect face.
thanks all. variety of methods there. I guess it all depends on what I've got available! I might try the jigsaw with a clamped fence option (as that's what I've got) on a bit of scrap and see what it comes out like.
What tools you got?
As bigjohn says, best way is to cut a few mm too big and finish off with the router. A plunge saw and sail leaves a very good finish, but you don't have one or you wouldn't be asking!
I'd use a circular saw 3mm too big, or jigsaw 5mm too bit.
Alternatively, if you've a good straight edge, router and cutter, just use that cutting in 5mm deep stages
If you've never used a router before, take it very slowly and NEVER use cheap cutters.
They can be extremely dangerous if not used a correctly, especially cheap ones
Thanks - ThefunkyMonkey, I'm armed with jigsaw and circular saw. I'm going to cut within a few mm with my jigsaw, then clean up with a router (borrowed). I've not used one before, but hey, you have to learn somewhere!
Cheap versions no good? is that just the bits or the router itself?
I have got a cheap one, and have borrowed a professional one. As long as you use a cutter that's longer then the thickness of panel you're cutting, a cheap one will be fine for this job.
Make sure you practise first. Never move it in the direction of the cutter blade or it will pull itself out of your hands (and then you do that funny jumping around dance as you wonder which part of your body the bit will land on).
Hold firmly but push gently.
a laminate blade will give a better finish when using a jigsaw, but any blade will rip the surface a bit on one side, so make sure you cut with the visible edge away from the jigsaw body
you might find one of these useful for striaght lines - helps stop wondering. A bit of wood clamped is a great idea, also focus the steering of the blade as far forwards as possible - some jigs have a laser to guide, watch this rather than the blade itself