How To Cut Wood

Cutting wood is an essential aspect of carpentry and DIY more broadly. Though the task is straightforward, producing accurate and clean cuts with minimal effort requires a basic understanding of wooden materials and saw tools.

How Do You Cut Wood?

Choose a saw that is appropriate for the wood’s thickness and density and suitable for the type of cut one intends to make (for example, cross-grain, rip, bevel, or miter cut). Measure and mark the wood, making sure it is stable (use clamps if possible), and cut with the kerf running along the off-cut side of the marked line.

Step 1: Assess The Wood’s Physical Characteristics 

The first step is to make a brief assessment of the physical characteristics of the wood. This assessment will inform decisions about appropriate cutting tools and techniques. 

Consider the thickness and density of the piece. You can get a feel for the wood’s density by tapping it, or by lifting it to judge its weight. Alternatively, you can consult the Janka Hardness Scale.

Step 2: Determine The Type Of Cut 

Secondly, determine the kind of cut you plan to make. This factor will also inform your tool choice.

Here are some of the commonly-used cuts when working with wood:

• Cross cut (perpendicular to the grain)
• Rip (parallel to the grain)
• Miter (cutting diagonally across the grain) 
• Bevel (cutting along the edge of the piece) 

Step 3: Choose A Tool

After assessing the type of wood and determining the cut you need to perform, it is time to select an appropriate tool. There are dozens of hand and power tools for cutting wooden materials. 

Hand saws that are woodworkers use most frequently include:

• Professional coping saws (short and thin blades that are ideal for curved cuts)
• Back saws (thin blades with fine teeth for precision cutting) 
• Rip-cut saws (to cut along the grain)
• Cross-cut saws (for cutting across the grain)
• Utility knives (to cut thin wooden paneling)

Power saws are advantageous tool choices when cutting thick wood pieces that are particularly dense. Here are the power saws most widely used by carpenters and DIY enthusiasts:

• Jig saws (thin blades for cutting curved lines with precision)
• Circular saws (suitable for quick straight cuts at any angle)  
• Table saws (ideal for long straight cuts) 
• Miter saws (makes short angled and cross-cuts)

When selecting a saw, it is crucial to consider whether the tool has a rough or fine-toothed blade. 

Fine-toothed saws have short, densely-arranged teeth (high ‘teeth-per-inch’ ratio) and a mild rake angle (how far each tooth is angled forward relative to the saw blade). For this reason, saws with fine-toothed blades are best for making short, precise, clean cuts. 

Conversely, rough-toothed saw blades have larger but fewer teeth (low teeth-per-inch ratio). The teeth also have an aggressive rake and set geometry. Due to these blade characteristics, rough-toothed saws are ideal for cutting with speed and power rather than neatness.

Step 4: Measure And Mark The Wood

Use a tape measure or ruler to measure the workpiece. Do not assume the commercial supplier’s measurements are correct (as wood products shrink as they dry over time).

After measuring the piece, mark the position of the cut line with a pencil, marker pen, or knife blade.

Make sure to draw the line on the outside of the intended cut, so you can account for the kerf of your chosen saw blade.

Step 5: Position The Work Piece In The Correct Orientation

The next step is to place the workpiece in the correct orientation. This step contributes to the neatness of the final cut.

If the piece has a front-facing side (such as a wall panel board) that will be visible after completion of the project, it should face opposite the cutting direction of the blade. For instance, a high-quality table saw cuts in an upward (clockwise) motion, so the front side of the wood should be oriented facing downward. 

The reason for this positioning tactic is that saw blades push the fibers of the wood outward as their teeth cut through and exit the piece, leaving small tears (called tear out). Ensuring that the blade teeth enter (rather than exit) the wood on the front side of the piece facilitates a cleaner cut where it matters most. 

Step 6: Ensure A Stable Cutting Situation

For safe and effective cutting, the workpiece must not move around when executing the task.

Ensure the piece is lying on a flat, stable surface.

If possible, stabilize the piece by clamping it to a workbench. Remember to use clamping cauls (a small wooden block about one inch thick). Cauls prevent the clamps from damaging the wood while simultaneously creating a more even distribution of clamping pressure.

Step 7: Use A Guideboard For Straight Cuts

When using a hand saw to cut plywood or any wood type in a straight line, it is worth considering using some a guideboard to direct the blade. You can use a specialized guideboard or improvise one with a straight piece of scrap timber and clamps. 

If one plans to cut with a high-quality table saw or circular saw, you can use the fence attachment or the circular saw guide to get a perfectly straight line. You can also cut wood at an angle using a circular saw and cut a triangle with the table saw.

Step 8: Make The Cut 

The moment of truth has arrived! Specific techniques for wood cutting vary depending on the tool. However, there are a few general principles and tips that can increase your chances of making accurate, clean cuts. 

Score The Cut Line 

Scoring the wood is often advantageous to create a neater cut. The scored line the passage of the blade teeth into and out of the wood on the other side (thereby minimizing tear out). 

Assuming the wood is soft enough, take a utility knife and metal ruler and make a few passes along the marked cut line until there is a shallow groove. Repeat the process on the opposite side of the wood. Now you can use the chosen saw tool to execute the cut. 

Start And End Slowly

No matter which tool one is using, it is always essential to start the cut slowly. It is equally crucial to slow your cutting speed as the saw blade teeth approach and exit the other side of the wood. This will reduce the probability of causing the wood fibers to tear out. 

Cut On The Correct Side Of The Mark 

Always pass the blade along the ‘off-cut’ side of the line you’ve marked on the wood (unless you plan to use the pieces on both sides of the cut). If you cut directly on the line, the blade’s kerf will remove a sliver of material from the side you want to keep and use, which can potentially throw out your measurements. 

Step 9: Sand the Cut Edges 

To finish with finesse, it is generally advisable to use sandpaper or an electric sander to smooth the edges of the cut with sandpaper or an electric sander. Working gently with fine sandpaper (P220 or P320 grit) will typically achieve the most satisfactory results.

Frequently Asked Questions

For those who want to know more about how to cut wood, here are the answers to some questions people frequently ask about this topic.

Conclusion

There are many ways to cut wood, but conventional hand and power saws perform the task most effectively. Orienting and stabilizing the workpiece are crucial steps before cutting. When cutting the wood, always start and end slowly to achieve the cleanest outcome and minimize ragged edges.