Cutting contiboard so it doesnt splinter

achtunglady

Hi i have a desk which i need to fit into a recess, but i need to take about 1.5cm off to get it to fit in. I have a jigsaw with a fine wood cutting blade, should i put some masking tape along where i want to cut and cut through this (i will be turning the contiboard upside down to get a better finish as the blade cuts on the up stroke)?

Any advice gratefully received, thank you

WestonDave

If you "mark" the line you want to cut along with a sharp stanley knife you will create a very neat edge to the veneer which presumably is what you want to protect. Then make sure you cut so that the edge of your jigsaw cut runs along the "waste" side of the knife line. Cutting with the line means that the veneer is already cut and doesn't suffer ripping as the jigsaw blade tries to cut through it

iamcornholio

A jigsaw wont give a nice clean, straight and flat edge - the blade wobbles vertically and has some sideways play. A circular saw or router using a fence/guide would be better

Or score the line with a stanley knife, cut with a hand saw just off the line and finish with a sanding block.

Tape wont stop melamine from chipping

Norman_Castle

As said above,score the line with a sharp knife.And allways use good quality blades.With jigsaws they make a big difference.And let the jigsaw cut at its own speed,if you force it,it will wander.