keeping splits minimal

[PAComet]

I missed woodshop 101- I'll be cutting cedar 3/8" by 5" planks, compound angle, and would like any advice on how to minimize or eliminate splitting. To cut, I have a circular saw or a saber-saw. would epoxy on the planks help reduce the chance of splitting?
Do I need a fancy samurai saw? Thanks

[scudder]

you might want to try wrapping the area you want to cut with some masking tape. for something that thin and soft, I would choose a sharp handsaw.

[outofthenorm]

You could almost cut that material with a sharp knife. The saber saw will do fine, without splitting anything, so long as the plank you are cutting is well secured to a bench so it can't jump around as you cut, and the saw blades are very very sharp. Use a fine tooth blade with minimum set. Go slower than you think you should.

Caution: I wouldn't try to pre-cut any compound angles into your planks. Cut the edges square, because the angles will change over the length of any plank. Finishing bevels are what spokes shaves and small planes are for. Keep everything you use sharp, sharp, sharp.

would epoxy on the planks help reduce the chance of splitting?

NO. Very bad idea.

- Norm

[almeyer]

(deleted)

[SMARTINSEN]

cut just a bit large and clean up and bevel edges with a sharp block plane. Cedar and hand planes go very nicely together.

[Bob Smalser]

Woodshop 101. To prevent the minor but unsightly surface chipping caused by sawblade teeth when crosscutting, go over your pencil lines with a sharp utility knife to sever the surface wood fibers before sawing.

It adds a step, but allows making perfectly clean cuts with even cheap or slightly dull sawblades. It's especially important when cutting plywood, even with expensive blades.

[hokiefan]

Woodshop 101. To prevent the minor but unsightly surface chipping caused by sawblade teeth when crosscutting, go over your pencil lines with a sharp utility knife to sever the surface wood fibers before sawing.

It adds a step, but allows making perfectly clean cuts with even cheap or slightly dull sawblades.

Learn something new everyday. Thats so simple it ought to be obvious, but obviously it isn't. Thanks Bob.

This is why I love this place.

Cheers,

Bobby