Cutting Out Panels

[Don Silsbe]

I’m about to start a new build (over on the other Main Forum), and I’m thinking about how I’m going to cut out the panels out of Okoume.  How do you cut your parts out?  Do you use a jig saw a small circular saw or something else?  

I’ve used two of these tools for doing this in the past.  Since then, my mini circular saw died, and my jig saw is ready to retire.   Before I buy one of these, I’d like to see what all of you non-kit builders use for this task.

[Hirilonde]

I used a jig saw and on parts with long curves and/or straigh lines I used a circular saw. If you are finishing bright, then fit is really critical and I would cut a tad large and use a block plane to tweak the fit. When using a jig saw use good blades and sharp, even new.  I would rather waste a blade then get tear out.

[Don Silsbe]

I’m leaning to using the jig saw.  As I recall, the mini-circular saw was nice to use, though.  I block plane all my lines, as I don’t trust my jig saw technique.  Maybe one of these nice, new ones will perform better.

[Reacher]

Bosch cordless jigsaw then a block plane.

 

[Don Silsbe]

But the chainsaw would be faster…. LOL

[Captain Tim]

I used a worm drive Skill saw and left the lines. Then cleaned up the cuts with 6" disk and 36 grit paper. I made the two sides together and the bottoms together as mirror pieces. I have the plans with full size pattens. I'm painting and have no bright wood so it worked well for me.

[Gira Gira]

G’day

I use a jig saw with a laminate blade.

It cuts Okoume really cleanly so I cut to the line, no finishing required.

Also most panels are duplicated port & starboard so stack the plywood sheets & cut two panels at once.

I marked out & cut all the hull panels & bulkheads for my CS17 in one day.

cheers

John

 

[Don Silsbe]

In the past, I have used my crappy Craftsman jig saw, cut shy of the line, and used a block plane to get to the line.  I also do port and starboard sides simultaneously.  
 

I’ve built nine boats, and counting.  Occasionally, though, I like to stand back, and think outside the box.  “Might there be a better way?”  Something caught my eye at Lowes yesterday, which turned on a light bulb in my pea-brain.  So, I drove over to Harbor Freight, and bought this.

This is what I mean about thinking outside the box.  It might really suck at cutting curves.  It might really suck in general.  But the multitool worked like a champ, when relocating Avocet’s centerboard 10” forward.  The experiment is going to cost me only $7.50.  If it fails, I’ll probably suck it up and buy a cordless jigsaw.  That’ll set me back about $200, but at least I won’t have to use that old saw anymore.

[Don Silsbe]

Well, that was fun— NOT!  It was worth a try, but it was not ideal.  I guess I’m going to bite the. Bullet and get one of these.  
I already have enough batteries, so I can save a buck or two there.  The Bosch, Rigid, and Milwaukee all looked good, too, but it would mean buying the battery, and having another battery charger laying around.  Now, I just need to get some of those new blades…

[Steve W]

I used a Grizzly corded Jigsaw when I built the Suzy J. IT worked great, but the cordless revolution really was pushed forward by lithium-ion batteries. That DeWalt looks pretty nice. 

[Don Silsbe]

I tried out the saw today.  It was incredible!  So much smoother and cleaner that the old way.  
 

New:

Old:  

 

[PadrePoint]

So, what makes the DeWalt make a smoother, better cut…. (since I use a similar Craftsman that I got for $5 from a church rummage sale.)

[Don Silsbe]

For one thing, it has a brushless

motor, which runs smoother.  The new blades have fancier teeth, too.  No screwdriver to install them!  And the baseplate is super flat and smooth.