Cutting a MDF board is an easy task if you have the right tools. You can use a jigsaw, circular saw or mitre saw. These will give you clean cuts and prevent splintering on your MDF boards.
1. Choose a blade with a high number of teeth
You’ll want to choose a blade with a high number of teeth (80 or 100) and with a fine pitch. You can also use a special blade for MDF cut to size.
The right blade will help you make cuts quickly, keeping your workpiece unharmed by heat and causing minimal tear-out on the cut surface.
2. Use a circular saw
If you are going to make cuts in thicker boards, you should use a circular saw instead of a jigsaw as this will give you more precision. If you are cutting your material with a jigsaw, the blade will be prone to jumping around or even breaking if it is not designed for precision.
So make sure that your blade has carbide teeth and not ordinary steel ones that have been sharpened by hand. A good quality cutting tool of this kind can be expensive. But they’re worth buying if you’re planning on making much more than one or two pieces of furniture.
It’s also important to keep the speed low when using these tools so they don’t overheat while they’re working away at the wood. Particularly when cutting MDF which doesn’t have very much strength compared with other materials like solid oak or pine.
3. Put the MDF on a flat surface
The best way to make MDF board cut to size is to put it on a flat surface and use a hand saw or mitre saw. You can also use a circular saw, but if you do, be careful not to get your fingers caught in the blade. The board should be placed against a clamped-down guide so that you’re cutting at 90 degrees.
You should also use a fine tooth blade for this task. Once again, because of the thickness of MDF compared with other woods, using an expensive blade isn’t necessary—a cheap one will work just fine here!
4. You should always use sharp blades
For the best results, you should always use sharp blades when cutting MDF. Dull ones generate a lot of friction that can lead to burning the material.
In addition, dull blades tend to get stuck in your MDF board and require more effort from you to free them up.
5. For curved or irregular cuts, use a jigsaw
If your cut will be slightly curved or irregular, it is best to use a jigsaw to avoid leaving marks caused by friction.
A jigsaw is a great tool for cutting curved and irregular shapes. Its flexibility makes it ideal for these types of cuts, which are difficult with other tools because they require a lot of effort and force.
6. Hold your blade perpendicular to the board
When using an electric saw like a jigsaw, circular saw or mitre saw for MDF cut to size, always hold your blade perpendicular to the board. So that it doesn’t snag and cause splintering. On most tools, this means holding the handle at an angle of 90 degrees from where you’re cutting.
You should also keep your hands relaxed and avoid pressing too hard on the tool as this can make it difficult for the blade to move through its cutting arc smoothly. When working with a table saw, feed your material into it. So that it’s just far enough away from where you’ll be guiding the cut line on top of your workbench (or other surface).
The same principle applies if you’re using a hand-held circular saw. Try not to get closer than about 1/8″ from where you want your piece of MDF cut off. This will help keep splinters from forming during cutting operations by avoiding those areas where there is no support underneath them!
7. Pre-drill holes where necessary
When cutting a thick piece of MDF, pre-drill holes where necessary. So that the pieces don’t get stuck together while they’re being cut off with the saw.
This will also prevent splintering at the edges of your cuts. The following are some tips to help you make clean and precise cuts!
- Drill holes in all four corners before you start cutting. Make sure the pilot hole is big enough for your blade to pass through easily (but not too big).
- Drill holes in one edge and two corners before cutting off that edge; then drill two more holes and cut off another edge. Repeat until all four sides have been removed from your original sheet or board shape.
- If you want to eliminate splintering when making long lengthwise cuts across an MDF sheet. First measure out where each cut will be made (from corner-to-corner) so that when you begin making this diagonal line across it won’t accidentally run into any previously drilled pilot holes at either end (which could cause cracks).
Cutting an MDF board is easy but keep in mind these tips on how best to do it!
To cut an MDF board, you will need to use the right tool for the job. You must also pre-drill holes, so that you can make your cuts as accurately as possible. Always remember to use sharp blades and a flat surface.
Hold your saw’s blade perpendicular to the board. So that even pressure is applied in all directions when cutting through it. Also, keep in mind that wood dust can get into your eyes while working with power tools. Wear protective gear such as goggles or safety glasses at all times!
Conclusion
In short, cutting an MDF board is a fairly straightforward process. It just requires some care and attention to detail, especially when dealing with larger pieces of material. The best way to cut MDF is by using a jigsaw or circular saw with a fine pitch blade. But if you don’t have access to those tools, any hand saw will do the trick!
The important thing is not to rush through your cuts since this can cause splintering and burning. It could lead to damage or even injury during use later down the road (if there are any left after these cuts).