Best thing to cut plyboard (wardrobe backing)

paulfoel

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Apr 30, 2008, 4:38:39 AM4/30/08

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I'm guessing an electric jigsaw is a bit too severe ?

I want to cut a hole so I can stick the wardrobe against the wall but
have a cut out for the exisitng elec socket...

mike

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Apr 30, 2008, 5:59:50 AM4/30/08

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In article
<9e8e8775-22a6-42ca...@c58g2000hsc.googlegroups.com>,
paulfoel <BertieB...@gmail.com> wrote:

You could use a jigsaw or a spiral saw (RotoZip).

Or drill four holes and use a pad saw:

http://www.toolstation.com/search.html?searchstr=pad+saw

John Rumm

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Apr 30, 2008, 8:30:31 AM4/30/08

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paulfoel wrote:

Should be ok, if you stick a fine ish toothed blade in.

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John.

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paulfoel

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Apr 30, 2008, 8:46:30 AM4/30/08

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Hmm. I assume you know the sort of board I mean. The thin bendy stuff
that you panel pin on to flat pack wardrobes (usually about 2mm
thick).

Unfortunately, the wardrobes are already in place...

I'm just a bit concerned that a jigsaw will start to rip holes rather
than a nice straight cut...

Palindrome

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Apr 30, 2008, 8:53:04 AM4/30/08

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A *variable speed* jigsaw with a very high tpi blade *should* be easy
enough to control and avoid that.

For real precision, you can mark it out and then use a very small drill
bit to pierce dozens of tiny holes along the line. The saw, on a very
slow speed, should follow the holes very closely. It may be better to
use a pad saw, or even a craft knife, to "join the dots" - epending on
the circumstances.

--
Sue

elziko

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Apr 30, 2008, 9:07:08 AM4/30/08

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> I want to cut a hole so I can stick the wardrobe against the wall but
> have a cut out for the exisitng elec socket...

I had to cut some of this board recently and I got a perfect cut by using a
stanley knife. Once you have scored where the cut should be just keep
genetly going over the scored line and you're through in no time. The blade
isn't much use afterwards though!

John Rumm

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Apr 30, 2008, 10:19:04 AM4/30/08

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paulfoel wrote:

> Hmm. I assume you know the sort of board I mean. The thin bendy stuff
> that you panel pin on to flat pack wardrobes (usually about 2mm
> thick).

Shiny one side, fine waffle pattern the other? Typical hardboard basically.

> Unfortunately, the wardrobes are already in place...
>
> I'm just a bit concerned that a jigsaw will start to rip holes rather
> than a nice straight cut...

As long as you can get the sole plate against the board, and are not
trying to cut it while flapping about, you should be ok. If your jigsaw
has a variable speed then slow it down a bit from its maximum, and use a
fine sharp blade.

If you don't trust yourself to get neat edges, then mark the square out,
and score the edges with a sharp knife. Then drill a hole in the middle
and use the jigsaw to cut from the hole diagonally out to each corner.
You can then snap off the waste bits at your score line.

Baz

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Apr 30, 2008, 12:18:32 PM4/30/08

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"elziko" <elz...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:0a_Rj.17733$yD2....@text.news.virginmedia.com...

I will second that!! Stanley Blade.

dennis@home

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Apr 30, 2008, 4:25:55 PM4/30/08

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"paulfoel" <BertieB...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1e71c1f7-3a3e-4056...@34g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

> Hmm. I assume you know the sort of board I mean. The thin bendy stuff
> that you panel pin on to flat pack wardrobes (usually about 2mm
> thick).

A Stanley knife should do the job.

reg

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Apr 30, 2008, 6:35:09 PM4/30/08

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"Baz" <bras...@REMOVEmsn.com> wrote in message
news:k-CdnaY2PJN...@bt.com...

I will third it that ! stanley blade, had to do the same myself.

Rod

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May 1, 2008, 2:16:47 AM5/1/08

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But first you each had to find your lost Stanley knives?

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
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Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
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John

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May 1, 2008, 2:55:40 AM5/1/08

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"paulfoel" <BertieB...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1e71c1f7-3a3e-4056...@34g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

I am a little confused as in your first post you said "I want to cut a hole

so I can stick the wardrobe against the wall but have a cut out for the

exisitng elec socket..." now the wardrobes are in place!

Anyhow...

Do you know exactky where the sockets are, rather than 'they are somewhere
about there!'. If so do some careful measuring and then lie on your tummy
and using a metal straight edge and a Stanley knife make the cutout using
several strokes along your lines rather than trying to 'saw it through'.
Remember to allow for the strain relief part of the plug top (where the
cable goes in) as depending how far back the socket is you may not be able
to get the plug into the socket without the cable fouling on the backboard.
I have done this before a few times successfully.

Other than that can the wardrobes be moved and then put back after the
cutout has been done?

HTH

John

1501

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May 1, 2008, 6:39:36 AM5/1/08

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Try a 1/4" router and a trammel bar. Prefect circle every time.

paulfoel

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May 1, 2008, 7:12:40 AM5/1/08

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Used a stanley knife last night. Worked a treat.

Just marked it all out and scored over the line with the knife. 3/4
goes over it and a nice clean cut. Excellent.

Harry Stottle

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May 1, 2008, 8:58:26 AM5/1/08

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"1501" <brian....@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:22b31732-6e03-4463...@m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com...

But where would you get a round electric socket in the UK ;-)

Frank Erskine

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May 1, 2008, 9:14:11 AM5/1/08

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Loads of people do them - intended to fit BESA conduit boxes.

--
Frank Erskine