Ripping Paneling Lengthwise

Choose the Right Saw Blade

• The layer of wood or laminate veneer on paneling is paper-thin, and tends to break into tiny tooth-like splinters when cut improperly. One of the first rules for cutting paneling is to use a blade with small teeth. Many saws come with blades with 20 to 30 teeth per inch (TPI), which are intended for cuts in framing lumber. Clean cuts in paneling require a blade designed for plywood, which should have 50 to 80 TPI. Carbide-tipped plywood blades costs more than all steel, but they remain sharp longer and cut more cleanly.

Orient Panels Correctly

• The best way to prevent chipping is to make certain that the saw blade cuts the material on its way into the veneer side instead of on its way out. Otherwise, the slight offset of the blade's teeth can splinter the veneer as they exit the cut. When ripping panels with a table saw or radial arm saw, place the paneling on the table veneer-side up. When using a circular saw, cut your paneling with the veneer side down. Long cuts with jig saws are not recommended.

Support the Entire Sheet

• To prevent tearing of the veneer face, support both halves of a panel throughout the cut. When cutting with a table saw or radial arm saw, use table extensions to support the sheet and keep it flat through the entire cut. Make certain that the sheet is pressed firmly against the rip fence throughout the cut because even small changes in direction may cause chipping. When using a circular saw, cut the paneling on the floor. Use a sheet of inexpensive material such as oriented strand board or sheet Styrofoam beneath the paneling, and adjust the saw blade depth to cut slightly into this backing.

Make a Rip Fence for Circular Saws

• Freehand cuts with a circular saw are almost guaranteed to cause chipping. Make a fence to guide the cut by clamping a straight wood or metal guide to the panel. Cut the paneling with the edge of the saw's base pressed against the straightedge. Be certain to position the clamps so that they do not interfere with the saw's path.

Using a Knife

• You can also use a sharp utility knife to make rip or cross cuts, cutting against a straightedge on the veneer side. The advantage of using a knife is that the technique creates clean cuts, but the disadvantage is that success with long cuts requires a steady hand and practice.