Cutouts in Teak Faced Ply

[richardbrennan]

I need to fit an additional switch panel which will need a cutout in a teak faced ply panel. As my carpentry skills are such that I have difficulty knocking in a nail straight, I wonder what tips the forumites might pass on and which tools should one use. The cutout will be about 6" by 4" and I have access to both sides but it's very limited at the rear.

 

[BERT T]

Find a friendly joiner for half an hour, you'll find it well worth the effort.

 

[Tranona]

Assuming you don't need the bit you are cutting out, drill a hole in each corner and cut out with a jig saw.

 

[pvb]

Assuming you don't need the bit you are cutting out, drill a hole in each corner and cut out with a jig saw.

If you do that, be sure to cover the external visible area with masking tape or similar to prevent the jigsaw plate marking the veneer.

 

[ksutton]

Looks like an ideal job for multitool to me.

 

[Tranona]

If you do that, be sure to cover the external visible area with masking tape or similar to prevent the jigsaw plate marking the veneer.

Good point, although a switch panel will overlap the edges.

 

[pvb]

Good point, although a switch panel will overlap the edges.

It'll overlap the edges, but the plate of a jigsaw can leave scuff marks 2cm or so outside the cut line.

 

[dunmor]

router

 

[Hadenough]

router

What freehand!! Jigsaws are a waste of time, horrible things, use a multitool.

 

[pvb]

What freehand!! Jigsaws are a waste of time, horrible things, use a multitool.

For something that small, I'd probably just use a fine pad saw.

 

[superheat6k]

I would cover the area with lo tack masking tape, then mark the cut lines on this in pencil. Then using a sharp knife score accurately to the cut line, using a steel rule as a straight edge, this stops the veneer lifting as the cutter or saw passes close to the line. Drill a few access holes, rough out with a pad saw for a small opening or jigsaw for a larger opening, then trim with a router.

I use a laminate trimmer bit in the router with a batten fixed to the cut line for the bearing on the trimmer to bear against, this gives a precise finished edge.

The tape also stops the sole plate scuffing the surface.

 

[West Coast]

The ideal tool for this would be a Bosch oscillating multitool - I bought one of these last year on the recommendation of the forum, been amazed at how good it is for this kind of thing

 

[Cloven]

The OP states quite clearly that there is very limited access at the rear of the workpiece which to me suggests he is going to do the cut with the panel in situ. In this case the ideal tool is a multitool as with care there is minimal penetration beyond the depth on the workpiece. I have used a multitool for jobs like this with great success in situations where the use of a router or jigsaw would be impossible.

 

[Pete735]

As others have said, a multitool is the way to do it. Again, I bought mine after comments on YBW and it's probably the most useful piece of kit in my toolbox now especially on the boat. If it's 12/13mm thick ply just take it easy as blades are thin and can be overheated, but a little practice on some scrap ply should see you right.

 

[LittleShip]

I have one of these...

http://www.worx.com/en-GB/Worx-WX424-HandyCut-310W-Circular-Saw.aspx

If there is room to get it in the cut will be almost surgical and clean. Great little tool especially if your cutting ply.

Tom.

 

[duncan99210]

Multitool. Magic bits of kit.

 

[pete]

I used my Aldi /Lidl multitool to do his job on my boat.
They are so controllable, can cut right into corners,you can see the blade easily to follow a line as you don't have a base plate in the way(that may scratch the surface) the blade can be angled to keep the motor out of the way of any obstructions and they do not lift the surface veneer if cutting from the front.
just take it easy and don't overheat the blade.
They are not so good as a jigsaw for tight curves though.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I wouldn't bother buying a new tool for such a small job. If you've got a jigsaw or padsaw that would do it but be careful with power tools marking the surface. The finish doesn't need to be perfect in this situation. On the boat I would probably end up using my old friend the Swiss army knife which would do a good job on this.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I wouldn't bother buying a new tool for such a small job. If you've got a jigsaw or padsaw that would do it but be careful with power tools marking the surface. The finish doesn't need to be perfect in this situation. On the boat I would probably end up using my old friend the Swiss army knife which would do a good job on this.

Exactly. Any of the tools mentioned in this thread would be fine to use for a simple job like this. What matters is what the OP already has in his toolbox.

 

[Vara]

Go along with others that a multi tool will do the job, but if you are as cackhanded as I am at wood butchering I would advise getting some off cuts and put in some practise before making the final cut.