DIY Network

Woodworking Repairs and Fixes, Pt. 4: Plywood Tear-Out From "Wood Works" episode WWK-513

In this segment, David Marks offers tips for avoiding tear-out when cutting plywood, and for making minor repairs.

Materials may include:

Table saw
Cross-cut sled
Narrow throw-plate
Double-stick tape
Blue woodworker's tape
Yellow woodworker's glue

Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses when
working with wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Plywood Tear-Out

Repairing plywood is not impossible, but it is difficult. When it comes to the problem of tear-out, the old adage holds true that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." If you have problems with tear-out when cutting plywood, here are a few preventative measures that may help.

• Be certain to use very sharp blades. When cutting plywood at the table-saw, David prefers to use a 62-tooth combination blade (figure A).

• Using a thinner throw-plate (figure B, left) will support the stock and reduce chip-out.

• Use a cross-cut sled to support the stock (figure C).

• In addition, consider double-stick-taping a backup board to the sled (figure D) to minimize tears on the edge of the wood.

• Another way to avoid chipping the edge is to make scoring cuts, 1/16-inch deep, before slicing.

• Add blue tape to the cut-lines to prevent tear-out.

• If you do experience tear-out at the edge, you may be able to retrieve the piece that chipped out and carefully glue it back in place with yellow glue (figure E).

• For smaller pieces, you may want to mix a bit of sawdust with epoxy glue to make a patch.
  

RESOURCES :

The Small Wood Shop (The Best of Fine Woodworking)
Author: Helen Albert (Editor)
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561580619

Woodworking Techniques: Best Methods for Building Furniture from Fine Woodworking
Author: Editors of Fine Woodworking magazine
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561583456

David Marks Website
David Marks, DIY's Wood Works host, is a master woodworker. For more information on cut sizes and project details, please contact him via his Website at www.djmarks.com

Fine Woodworking
A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com