Panel Trimming

[Dutchman]

I was wondering what some of you guys and gals use to trim the ends of panels over 18" or so. Do you use a sled on your table saw or use a skill saw with a straight edge? My radial arm saw has its limits and as far as square goes well...

 

[Monty]

Sled on the table saw. It's pretty easy to make one that will handle up to about 20-24".

 

[DaveO]

Yep, sled up to 24", over that I use a straight edge clamp/guide. Depending on the length of your panel, often you can just use your rip fence if the panel is fairly wide.
Dave

 

[Ray Martin]

I use the table saw slider or, for really big stuff, a circular saw with a really good blade and a clamped straight edge.

There are plans on line ( http://www.cabinetmaking.com/pages/panelcutter.htm ) or from places like the New Yankee Workshop, for making a table saw panel cutting jig.

If you plan on cutting a lot of full sheets of plywood or MDF, you might consider making a sheet goods cutting jig. I did see some plans for a full scale panel cutter (frame plus a mounted circular saw) in a magazine recently.

(Don't forget, good side up when cutting on the table saw... good side down witha circular saw.)

Ray

 

[Travis Porter]

Sled up to about 22" and then clamp-n-guide for bigger than that. Got a small skillsaw that isn't too big to use with it.