On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 19:28:47 +0000, Andrew J Instone-Cowie
wrote:

Anyone got any hints on cutting plywood with nice clean, sharp,
straight edges on both sides?

Get a sharp knife, like a marking knife (Axminster's Japanese ones,
for around a fiver) and score along the edges of the saw kerf before
cutting. Maybe score a little wider than this, if you can't guarantee
accuracy.

Use the right sawblade. Circular saws are supplied with combi blades
that are intended to crosscut 2x4s and even do some light ripping. If
all you ever use your handheld saw for are the initial cuts on a big
sheet of plywood or MDF, then it's worth getting a more appropriate
blade. It's especially useful on a Lucky Golden Hedgehog brand saw
from Happy Shopper.

Use birch plywood. Doesn't solve it, but the fibres are a lot less
brittle than rainforest plywood. You'll still have tears, but they're
less than 1/4" long. Give it a try, whenever you need some "nice"
plywood.
http://codesmiths.com/shed/furniture/gothic_chair.htm

Do it on a table saw with a scoring blade.

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