Advice on cutting this:

matty d · Aug 15, 2012

I just scored this from Sears for only $40 clearance, new, in box. It is very beautiful, very solid:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-6'-bamboo-work-surface/p-00914960000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

Anyway, I want to cut it into two 28x18 pieces with my circular saw to make tops for some rolling tool cabinets. Of course I will use a guide, clamps etc. for a straight cut. I do not have a table saw. Once stained/coated they will look real sharp, I think.

I have no experience cutting this type of bamboo countersurface. It is very dense. Any other pieces of advice (e.g. blade type) before I 'grip it and rip it'?

Another option would be to make it into a fold-down workbench using heavy duty hinges. Then I would not have to cut it. I already have a workbench though. Another one would be icing...

Thanks
Matt

csp · Aug 15, 2012

With a circular saw you want to cut it with the good side down. Your saw teeth need to turn into the good side to avoid tearing out chips. Get a good carbide tipped blade with as many teeth as possible.

Toomanytools? · Aug 15, 2012

Ditto

BC1 · Aug 15, 2012

maybe make an initial shallow cut as well to avoid loading up the saw too much.

Vegaman_Dan · Aug 15, 2012

I'd clamp the piece with probably a 1/4" piece of sacrificial plywood onboth sides so the saw won't cause chipouts. More work, but you only have to make the cut once and not worry so much about potential damage.

ckadams00 · Aug 15, 2012

BC1 said:
maybe make an initial shallow cut as well to avoid loading up the saw too much.

^^^^will make a huge difference. :thumbup:

Outlawmws · Aug 15, 2012

Tape both sides with masking tape, and as said good side down. also see the blade so it's no deeper than needed, and lastly clamp a fence to run the bed of the saw against.

Amitygravel · Aug 15, 2012

Make your blade choice a Freud Diablo , not cheap but bamboo is tough on blades and the Diablo will make short work of it. When your done the blade wlill stilll be sharp enough for any more projects you have come up.

5lima30 · Aug 15, 2012

Amitygravel said:
Make your blade choice a Freud Diablo , not cheap but bamboo is tough on blades and the Diablo will make short work of it. When your done the blade wlill stilll be sharp enough for any more projects you have come up.

+1^^^! Also use a 15 amp saw!

garboui · Aug 15, 2012

One trick i always use when trimming door bottoms is to score the top side with a sharp utility knife at least 1/16" deep. cut to this line and it will prevent the blade from pulling splinters up on the top side. Tape will help some but this will do much more.

Milton Shaw · Aug 15, 2012

It is more accurate to use a guide on both sides of the saw baseplate That way you cannot drift off of the cut line. On this one cut it would be time well spent to make sure its straight.

RivennHewn · Aug 15, 2012

Amitygravel said:
Make your blade choice a Freud Diablo , not cheap but bamboo is tough on blades and the Diablo will make short work of it. When your done the blade wlill stilll be sharp enough for any more projects you have come up.

Skip the Diablo, and get a real blade like a Forest or Matsushita

turbowoodworker · Aug 15, 2012

Everything that is mentioned above will help tremendously. Good side down, score the bottom, tape both sides, quality blade, shallow cut. Icing on the cake would be to sit the workpiece on foam insulation (closed cell? type) which will back the cut as the blade exits the cut lessening tearout and protect the blade. just set the whole thing on the ground and do it. Good luck.

ddawg16 · Aug 15, 2012

RivennHewn said:
Skip the Diablo, and get a real blade like a Forest or Matsushita

Wait.....wouldn't a Snap On blade be even better?

Acutually...those are all good blades....for a really clean cut....at least 40 teeth if using a circular saw.....if it was me, I would be using my radial arm saw with the 60 tooth carbid blade...that was just sharpened....

Amitygravel · Aug 16, 2012

RivennHewn ,
Give us the lowdown on those blades. I'm not familiar with either one of those.

D rock · Aug 16, 2012

Outlawmws said:
Tape both sides with masking tape, and as said good side down. also see the blade so it's no deeper than needed, and lastly clamp a fence to run the bed of the saw against.

I'd do this as well... :rocker:

matty d · Aug 17, 2012

Thanks for the advice guys!

I think I will try the Diablo blade. Ive been reading reviews and it should cut like butter...The others mentioned (Forest, Matsaushita) seem Awesome but are $$$!

Cant wait...

brockstar · Aug 17, 2012

I've been using a Diablo blade in my circular saw to cut 3/4" veneer plywood without any tear out.

$19 at Home Depot and you're set.

kbs2244 · Aug 17, 2012

All good advice.
Good side down, guides on both sides, very ggod blade.
I would plan on 3 cuts of half an inch each.

Jack Olsen · Aug 17, 2012

Then again, you'll probably be fine no matter what you do. I had to cut a piece of oak butcher block recently. I used my circular saw and a guide. Whatever old blade was on the saw was what I used. Didn't think to flip it. Didn't make gradual depth increases. All of those are smart ideas, but my top still came out just fine.

That said, I'm not sure if bamboo is more prone to splintering, but you're going to want to sand that edge a little anyway.

First I cut it to length:

Then I used a jig saw to round the corners and make a little inset for the chair to park.

jaysberman · Aug 18, 2012

I use Forrest blades for fine wood working,They cut cleanly and quickly.

onewaydave · Aug 19, 2012

garboui said:
One trick i always use when trimming door bottoms is to score the top side with a sharp utility knife at least 1/16" deep. cut to this line and it will prevent the blade from pulling splinters up on the top side. Tape will help some but this will do much more.

ditto, the concept of a scoring knife.

Dave.

mikefromme · Aug 19, 2012

Or find someone with a festool track saw. Measure, drop the track on your marks and cut. Cut will be smooth splinter free and as straight as if you did it on a table saw.

Took longer to type this than it would take to make the cut.

SweetD · Aug 19, 2012

Don't over-think it. Upside down with a decent (sharp) blade and you'll be fine. Maybe you've already cut it? Let's see the results!

Dave

Andybull · Aug 19, 2012

A good belt sander is a plus when cutting solid wood counter tops.

Jeff · Aug 19, 2012

I bought a similar bench top from Sears, but it's the butcher block style. The top was too big and heavy for me to handle correctly. I asked my local Lowe's manager is they could make one cut for me, right down the middle. We agreed there would no liability on their part. Long story short, they charged me $1.00 for a perfect cut.

Daniel Dudley · Aug 20, 2012

The 40 tooth Diablo is a pretty darned good blade.

matty d · Aug 20, 2012

Hey guys,

Sorry Im taking my good ol' time with this. I will buy the Diablo 40 tooth blade this week at Home Depot. The price on this ($15) is actually the cheapest I could find, even on the internet. Good going HD.

Im just a novice at some things and I really appreciate everyone's advice!

Cant wait,

Matt

c_mccann · Aug 20, 2012

After you cut, run a planer over the cut to clean up if you can get your hands on one.

camarotoolman · Aug 20, 2012

Score the cut with a razor knife, use any good sharp blade. Clamp a straight edge on to use as a guide. Feed the saw slowly, keep the rpm. up.

matty d · Sep 5, 2012

Hi Everyone

I got my RTA cabinets on Craigslist when I was going through some tough times.

I originally thought they were somewhat tin-like but since they have personal value, instead of thrashing them or selling them, I decided to do something nice.

Well, I bought the Diablo blade like some GJ members recommended and made some cuts. I also used some advice from GJ members. Thanks!

I was lucky to get the 60 tooth blade for the price of the 40 tooth blade (Home Depot was out of stock so the manager let me have the 60 tooth for 15 dollars).

The blade cut real nice...like butter! -unless you look real close its hard to tell which is the fresh cut side. Almost table saw quality. Im a novice with circular saws and working with wood like this, so I feel pretty good about it.

The measurements were pretty good and it fit onto cabinet real nice. I know these cabinets get so-so reviews, but with the casters and a heavy bamboo top, it now is a solid fixture in my garage. The top seems to weigh the whole thing down is pretty legit and feels a lot more solid.

So I paid about $20 a piece (2 bamboo tops for 2 RTA cabs) and another $15 for the Diablo blade which I will use on other projects. AND I have a large piece of scrap I think I will turn into a nice bamboo cutting board for the kitchen. Remember the whole 6 foot board was $40. I think I did OK.

Next step: buy some tung oil and then polyurethane. Any favorite brands out there???

I seriously recommend anyone add value to their toolchests by adding a butcher block top...maple or bamboo will make your chest look awesome. :thumbup:

rharman · Sep 5, 2012

matty d said:
Hi Everyone

I got my RTA cabinets on Craigslist when I was going through some tough times.

I originally thought they were somewhat tin-like but since they have personal value, instead of thrashing them or selling them, I decided to do something nice.

Well, I bought the Diablo blade like some GJ members recommended and made some cuts. I also used some advice from GJ members. Thanks!

I was lucky to get the 60 tooth blade for the price of the 40 tooth blade (Home Depot was out of stock so the manager let me have the 60 tooth for 15 dollars).

The blade cut real nice...like butter! -unless you look real close its hard to tell which is the fresh cut side. Almost table saw quality. Im a novice with circular saws and working with wood like this, so I feel pretty good about it.

The measurements were pretty good and it fit onto cabinet real nice. I know these cabinets get so-so reviews, but with the casters and a heavy bamboo top, it now is a solid fixture in my garage. The top seems to weigh the whole thing down is pretty legit and feels a lot more solid.

So I paid about $20 a piece (2 bamboo tops for 2 RTA cabs) and another $15 for the Diablo blade which I will use on other projects. AND I have a large piece of scrap I think I will turn into a nice bamboo cutting board for the kitchen. Remember the whole 6 foot board was $40. I think I did OK.

Next step: buy some tung oil and then polyurethane. Any favorite brands out there???

I seriously recommend anyone add value to their toolchests by adding a butcher block top...maple or bamboo will make your chest look awesome.

Nice job. Your clamps are the most colorful I've seen

I have used the Tung Oil bought from my local WoodCraft store on sale.

Advice on cutting this:

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