Cutting Planking

[English Rebel]

What's the best tool for cutting planking. I find that anything over 1mm is difficult to cut across the grain with an Exacto knife.

Thanks

Alan

[PietFriet]

Alan,

A razor saw works well.

 

 

[English Rebel]

I have one of those Japanese pull saws. I guess I could use that, but these look better for the task. I'll check them out.

Thanks

Alan

[CPDDET]

Types of sharp blades work well when cutting with the grain. But I always use a saw when cutting across the grain. Basswood is very soft and using the sharpest blade across the grain will tend to crush more than cut.

 

Razor saws work very well, and I've had good results with Japanese pull saws as well. Of course power saws, like the Byrne's saw, are the ultimate.

[No Idea]

I agree razor saws are great and come in different teeth per inch too.  I quite often like to cut too long and then sand back to my required length.

[CPDDET]

Agreed. Sanding the last bit and test fitting as you go gives a nice fit.

[MEDDO]

For just single planks I just use a very sharp chisel.  Works great for bass.  Depending on the thickness of the plank you might get a little crush on the off cut due to the bevel but then I just flip the chisel around and square it off again.