When you need to cut an MDF board to size, you have a few different options. And the best one for you depends on what your needs are and how much time and effort you want to put into it! Here are our favourite ways to get the job done!
1. Get a table saw for perfect angles and straight cuts
When you need a cut to size MDF, the first thing you’ll need is a table saw. A table saw is an essential tool for cutting wood and it’s the most common tool used to cut MDF boards.
If you have one, great! If not, check out garage sales or pawn shops for a used one. Even if it seems like it has seen better days, they’re pretty easy to fix up so that they work like new again. A table saw can be used to cut angles, curves and straight lines with ease.
It can also be used to cut large pieces of wood (like 12 feet long) but in my experience this requires some very careful tuning and setup so that your piece doesn’t fall off when being fed through the blade by hand.
2. Manual cutting method with a jigsaw
To complete this task, you need to have a good blade and be able to use the saw correctly. You should also make sure that you are cutting at the correct size, not length. To cut straight lines with a jigsaw, set up your mitre box so that it makes 45-degree cuts (this will give you nice straight edges).
To begin cutting, place your MDF board in the mitre box and mark where you want to cut it with a pencil line; then make sure that the blade is facing upwards so that when it makes contact with the material, it will go through smoothly. Now start sawing away! The trick here is not letting too much pressure come down on your jigsaw as this can cause friction between your blades and affect how well they work together.
The longer they work together without any problems or issues, then more likely they’ll keep working well together for years down the road too!
3. Use a mitre saw to speed up and ease the cutting process
You will also find that a mitre saw is faster and easier to use than other cutting tools. When using a table saw, for example, you have to stop periodically to adjust the blade height and angle.
With a mitre saw, you can adjust both at once with just one knob on the machine. This makes it much simpler and quicker when cutting your MDF boards. Mitre saws are also very accurate in comparison with other tools like circular saws, which are often inaccurate due to vibration while being used.
Mitre saws use blades that spin around an axle at very high speeds (upwards of 40 mph), making them more precise than circular and table saws.
4. Electric circular saw to cut plywood efficiently
If you have an electric circular saw, this is the best method for shaping MDF board cut to size.
The carbide tipped blade will cut through the MDF with minimal effort, and it can be used in any orientation. You can also use an electric circular saw to cut angles on your board. If you choose to use a hand held circular saw, make sure that it has a high quality blade installed before attempting to cut your material.
You want one that’s made of carbide or tungsten steel; these will make for cleaner cuts and less chance of accidents occurring during the process!
5. Hand saw to cut MDF board
Cutting with a hand saw is slower but can be effective for small cuts, especially when cutting curves. The hand saw will also give you more control during the cut and can allow you to cut long pieces of MDF board.
Hand saws are typically used to cut straight lines in both thick and thin materials, so they are perfect for cutting your large MDF sheets into smaller pieces. A hand saw is also ideal if you need to make small cuts because it’s very easy to handle and doesn’t require much force or energy from your body.
6. Rip cut MDF board with a band saw
To rip cut the MDF board, you’ll need a band saw. To set up your band saw, make sure that the blade is sharp and not dull. You can use any kind of blade depending on what material you are cutting.
However, it’s best to use a cross-cut type of blade to cut through MDF boards since they are more flexible than regular blades. Once the machine is ready and you’ve checked that all safety precautions have been taken, place the MDF board on top of the table so that when it goes through it will be perpendicular to your body.
Make sure there is enough room for you and your tool to move freely without hitting anything else in or around your workspace!
7. Using a manual mitre guillotine
If you don’t have access to a table saw, or if you’re in need of a portable tool that can easily be transported around the shop, then the mitre guillotine may be your best option.
This type of tool cuts boards at an angle using two blades—one that holds the stock and one that moves up and down along its face while being pushed against by pressure from an adjustable screw. It’s simple to use: just set your blade depth (usually between 7/8″ and 1-1/2″) and then apply pressure on both sides until it cuts through the material.
The only downside is that this type of tool isn’t as accurate as one powered by electricity—so it won’t likely cut straight lines every time.
8. User an X-Carve CNC Router
We’re not just talking about an electric jigsaw, or a table saw. We mean a computer controlled router with the ability to cut MDF to any size you want.
The machine itself is called an X-Carve, and it’s incredibly easy to use. CNC stands for “computer numerical control” – which means that the machine can be programmed to perform specific tasks. You can use it to cut out pieces of wood, plastic or metal that you need for your projects.
Conclusion
We hope that we’ve inspired you to get out there and make some cuts! Don’t be afraid to experiment with new tools, techniques or materials—and if it feels like too much work, don’t worry.
There are plenty of other projects in this book that require far less time than cutting your MDF board down!
