Either you are a homebuilder, woodworker, or a DIY hobbyist, having the best saw for cutting plywood is surely great. Be it electric or hand-powered, your work not only becomes easy but also you get to save some bucks. Simply, that means you get to enjoy double efficiency, including that of plywood itself.
Unlike others out there, the timber product is more affordable and has many useful properties. Hence, the reason, many craftsmen and homeowners consider it for their construction projects.
Whether it’s framing interior walls, roof bracing, or a subfloor, the material always brings out impeccable results.
Despite its unbeaten efficiency, though, plywood is not so easy to work with. In particular with cutting, you have to be very careful as the thin sheets can splinter and chip if you do it the wrong way. Thereby, making it ugly and even dangerous to work without gloves.
On top of choosing the right tools, therefore, you also have to use them correctly to make the cleanest and most accurate cuts. There are different types and models of sawing tools in the marketplace. So, the way you use them may vary.
Can A Hand Saw Cut Plywood Cleanly?
Usually, a lot of people talk of circular saw and table saw when it comes to resizing plywood. The former, however, is inarguably the commonly used due to its speed, portability, and the ability to cut square, bevel, and compound angles.
But what if you’re a beginner in woodworking, how can you make a simple box from plywood? How can you crop your material without compromising its effectiveness?
Well, technically, you can still achieve excellent results with unpowered tools. All you will need is a proper hand saw and the right blade.
Of course, you will find some comments about inaccuracy. But the big question is, how did people cut plywood material in the old times when there was no electricity?
Anyways, for your troubling question, it’s very possible to achieve your goals when using a hand saw. All it takes is a nice, proper model for the work.
In case you still don’t own one, here is a selection that can help you choose a make that will serve your desires. The products are personal recommendations from us, as well as craftsmen family who still cherish the old tech.
Top 6 Saw For Cutting Plywood (Bestseller)
In a hurry? Check the bestseller top Saw For Cutting Plywood from Amazon. Just check the product link, the details and price.
We duly hope you can find a design and model that suits your desires:
1. Our Top Picks: SUIZAN Japanese Saw Ryoba Pull Hand Saw
Overall, this is our number one pick on the list. Not by the fact that it is currently the #1 bestseller, but because of the high efficiency.
Designed with the ancient Japanese craftsmanship, the saw features top-quality steel, which is lightweight but strong and resilient. Unlike most saws out there, it cut materials by pulling instead of pushing. Thus, so easy to use.
Also, the hand tool comes with two cutting edges, each featuring different teeth setting for optimal effectiveness. There’s an end with 9 Teeth Per Inch and another with 15. Thus, it can be a great company when you have more material to saw and if you need finer straight edges.
Still, the two cutting edges help enhance the versatility of the saw as you can use on both hardwood and softwood. So, you can even cut your ½ or ¾ plywood smoothly and with high precision.
Key Features:
- The hand saw features a sturdy Japanese steel blade. Hence, durable and usable with any type of wood
- It has two cutting edges, which allows you to cut materials either faster or with finer edges
- Can be used on any type of wood
- Comes with a long handle to give more room for pulling
- It’s lightweight and cuts by pulling. Hence, effortless to use
- The saw comes with a plastic cover for the blade to prevent environmental damage.
What we don’t about it:
For sure, there is nothing to hate about this Japan Made hand saw. However, the saw is quite tricky to sharpen with the ordinary file and we believe that’s why the provider delivers it sharp.
2. Best Budget:FLORA GUARDHS1027 Folding Hand Saw
Although all the products on the list come at a reasonable fee, this particular one has a lower price tag of less than $20. So, it can be so easy to get when on a tight budget, but you need to replace your broken kitchen cabinet.
Thanks to the used SK5 carbon steel blade, the saw is tough and strong, thereby allowing it to cut through any timber. On top of that, it has triple ground teeth, which tend to cut through faster than the double ground model.
Even so, the blade measures only 7.7 inches long. Hence, it might take more seconds to cut a larger material than when using a blade double its sizes. The tool, however, is more portable and simpler to use in tight areas due to its small size. You can even fold it and put it in your pocket just as you do with a penknife.
Key Features:
- The handsaw features a hardened, non-corrosive carbon steel blade
- It’s has a comfortable non-lisp soft handles
- Cuts with triple ground teeth, which enable smooth and faster sawing
- It’s so simple to carry, courtesy of the shorter blade and the ability to fold
- Comes at reasonable price
- The saw Has a secure locking button to prevent injury while working or in the pocket
What we don’t like about it:
The hand tool surely works fine, but it does take quite a long time to saw a thicker piece of wood. As such, it might be ineffective on a tight schedule.
3. Best Design: Roam wild Multi Pull Saw PRO
If you have a strong taste on the look, this piece can serve your desires excellently and satisfactorily. It features an attractive handle, with a comfortable soft-grip and a thumb groove for maximum control.
The hand saw has a lovely construction that allows it to deliver several functions without compromising the other.
For one, it has two cutting edges, with one featuring 14 TPI setting to allow faster and smooth sawing. On flipping the saw inversely, you now get to use the 22 TPI edge which produces a cleaner finish but a slower rate.
The whole blade comprises of the top grade Japanese pull saw steel. Hence, it’s so easy to use while at the same time delivering high precision.
Key Features:
- It’s a multiuse tool that you can use to saw as well as drive or remove nails with the integrated tack hammer and puller
- Uses an original Japanese pull saw blade. Hence, durable and uses less effort
- Includes two cutting edges, with different teeth set up to deliver high efficiency
- The handle is simple and comfortable to work with
- There is a quick-release button to remove the blade faster
- It can cut most materials, including PVC pipe, laminate, melamine, hardwoods, and now plywood
- The saw comes with a warranty attached just in case you are not 100% satisfied.
What we don’t like about it:
As with many Japan Made saws, this piece is also quite difficult to sharpen due to the pulse-hardened teeth.
4. Spear & Jackson 9550B Traditional Brass Back Tenon Saw
If you love the old, this classic piece is something you will surely appreciate to own and work with. It has a universal teeth setup, which is a real advantage as you can either cut along or across the wood grain.
The blade consists of high carbon steel, with 15 teeth per inch. Thus, strong enough to cut through hardwood like pine and an excellent choice for cutting plywood clean. Still, the use of high carbon steel means the blade is less ductile and brittle, thereby making it prone to breakage. But with the included brass back, the saw will be hard to bend or reach that point of snapping.
Purely made in England and with over 200-year craftsmanship, this hand saw has a promise of extended service. And even you can sharpen the teeth by yourself since they aren’t hardened.
Key Features:
- As a general-purpose saw, you can use it on any small pieces of wood
- It has high carbon steel, which is stronger and with a slower rate of corrosion
- Cuts faster and precisely due to the medium teeth per inch setting
- Can saw across and along the wood grain
- Features a unique wooden handle
- You can sharpen the teeth
- The saw has a shiny brass back to prevent the saw from fracturing.
What we don’t like about it:
Despite its classic styling, the handle of this saw can be uncomfortable when using. Hence, you might need to make a few adjustments before you start working with it fully.
5. DEWALT DCS391B Max Circular Saw
This piece can be a great investment if you are an occasional woodworker. It has higher efficiency than the hand-powered saws as it uses a high-performance motor that has a rotational speed of 5150 rpm.
The circular saw has an adjustable 0-50° bevel capacity that allows you to cut your timber material at a varying angle. It can cut materials at a depth of 1 to inch, thanks to its 6.5 carbide-tipped blade.
The tool has a lovely rubber over-molded grip that allows optimal comfort and control while using. And it uses a rechargeable battery, which means you can work with it anywhere, including roof, with ease.
Furthermore, it features a spectacular magnesium shoe that is lightweight for easy sawing, and super strong to enable durability. The machine comes with a limited 3-year limited warranty. So, you won’t have to worry about any faults that you may come across.
Key Features
- It has a superior magnesium shoe that enables a long-term high precision cut
- Features an adjustable bevel gauge to allow [angled] cuts that are not perpendicular
- Can cut materials at a depth of 1 to and 2 to
- Runs on batteries, thereby enabling you to use at any location
- It assures you a comfortable grip and optimal handling
- Comes with a 3-year warranty to make sure you’re 100% satisfied]
What we don’t like about it:
The single downfall with the circular saw is on the safety switch. It’s at a very risky position such that you will have to remove the battery to avoid accidentally switching on while carrying.
6. Rockwell RK3440K Versacut Circular Saw
This one is an alternative circular saw that you can use to cut your plywood, tile, sheet metal/, and other materials It has an ultra-compact design with multiple innovative features to make your woodwork effortless, enjoyable, and quite faster.
For one, the compact size gives you the advantage of cutting materials at tight areas where regular circular saws can’t access. It does have an integrated laser guide tech and also a lever to help you set the kind of depth you want the blade to cut. Thereby promising high precision cuts in such compact spots.
Created with you in mind, this power saw has a streamlined construction that enables easy and comfortable control with one hand. It even has a safety pull switch that the creator included to prevent accidental starting.
The machine relies on wired power of up to 120 volts. Thus, you might be limited on where to use due to cord size or unavailability of the recommended AC energy.
Key Features:
- It has a compact, streamlined design that is so easy to use
- Features a laser guide to enhancing a straight line cut
- The small design allows it to work where other regular saws can’t
- Has a gauge to control the depth you want to achieve [max 1 inches]
- Cuts at a speed of 3500 rotations per minute. Thus, very convenient when on a tight schedule.
- The circular saw come with a 2-year warranty
What we don’t like about it:
The safety on switch is a little clunky as you have to pull it to let the blade out, then you press the power trigger. Thus, quite tough to do both at the same time. Another thing, it would have been nicer if the laser pointer used the cord power instead of its own batteries.
Quick Guide: Essential Tips to Consider While Choosing the Best Saw For Cutting Plywood
These are a few of the tools that you can add to your box and use to cut your timber product smoothly and efficiently.
While you can cut various materials with them, every saw does have its unique features that facilitate its functioning. The following are some of these essential aspects that should help you choose the proper equipment and avoid later-on disappointment.
Why You Need a Saw
Technically, there so many different types of saws. Apart from circular and hand saw, we also have a table saw, band saw, mitre saw, reciprocating saw, jigsaw, et cetera. Each of them come in multiple designs and models, which means you have dozens of options to choose from while shopping.
For the better, therefore, you have to first discern the reason you need a saw so that you can make a worthwhile decision. If it’s just an urgent need, for instance, a nice hand saw can save your day. But if you find yourself woodworking often, then, a powered circular saw is a better investment.
Teeth per Inch [TPI]
This is one of the most crucial features in every saw blade. It usually defines the type of finish you get and how fast you do it.
For our subject, a high TPI count is the best as it guarantees a smoother cut without any chance of splintering. Its only downfall is that it will take more time to finish than when using a blade with lower TPI.
Of course, a saw with fewer teeth tends to cut through materials faster, but while doing that it removes more matter. Thereby causing a rougher finish, which might later require sanding to smoothen.
Hard-Point or Re-Sharpenable
This is yet another vital requirement that determines the efficiency of your tool. It explains the nature of the teeth in regards to sharpness. With a “hardpoint” saw, the teeth are often hard to keep them sharp for long. The blades even come very sharp but once they get blunt, you just dispose of as they cannot be re-sharpened.
The Resharpenable type, on the other hand, means you can easily sharpen them once they get blunt. Thereby, promising a lifetime service when using a good brand.
Ease of Use
This one relies on several things, ranging from the overall design, the number of teeth, blade size, and if it’s pull/ push stroke. As for the number of teeth, we have said a low count is the best if you want to cut faster.
The size of the blade, on the other hand, determines the total area of a cut. So, a longer one can be more competent as each stroke takes more capacity.
As for the question of pull or push stroke, the former is undeniably the winner. Pull saws [common in Japan] are not only more accurate but they are also easier to use. As you cut by pulling, the action relies more on the strength of the blade but not the user’s compressive power.
Does It Come With a Warranty?
Although not all providers include it, a guaranteed warranty assures that you can contact the provider in case of any fault. Also, it serves as an assurance that the product you are buying is of a higher standard. Thereby offering high performance and extended longevity.
How to Make a Very Long Straight Cut with a Hand Saw
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best saw to cut plywood cleanly?
Although it has a wide array of uses, plywood may be tricky to cut without splintering. You need to have the right tools and properly use them. The circular saw is usually the best for the job due to its innovative features. But also you can use a hand saw as long it has the proper blade.
How can I cut plywood with my regular saw without splintering?
Well, that’s not quite easy, but also it’s not impossible. You only need the right type of blade, particularly a model with more teeth to get a fine finish. Also, you will need to cut with the good face facing down and ensure it remains clean.
Usually, the blade exit at the top of the sheet as you saw, and that movement is likely to cause some chipping. If you can saw with the good side down, it, therefore, means the chipping compromises your necessary part.
Can you use a Reciprocating saw to cut plywood?
A reciprocating saw is a versatile tool that can cut through almost every material, including locks, nails, timber. It also presents the benefit of fitting in almost any tight space due to the compact size and slim blade. Even so, using the tool on plywood is not a good idea as it often cut with a rough finish.
Should I focus on more teeth or the size of the saw blade?
Technically, this is a vague question since everything depends on your preference needs. However, a longer blade with more teeth can produce finer finish while at the same time working on a larger area per stroke. Thereby, producing a cleaner cut and in a shorter time when using a shorter blade with more teeth.
Conclusion
Whether it’s a kitchen cabinet or subfloor you are making, choosing the best saw for cutting plywood is surely essential. Not just at an economical angle, but on performance as well.
However, everything else is down to your preference and needs. If you are an enthusiastic woodworker, a circular saw can suit your hobby nicely. But if you only need a tool to serve your purpose when in need, a proper hand saw can do the work.
Just make sure you choose the appropriate blade that is okay with you. Then make sure you keep your tools properly and that you maintain them.
Above all, always ensure you follow the required safety tips while working with your tool. This includes wearing protective goggles and keeping the safety switch of your electric saws locked.
Last update on 2023-03-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
