Bit of advice please

[DaveSarge]

I've got a need to create a large number (potentially hundreds) of square wooden tiles (long story) and I'm hoping someone can give me some advice around the best method/tools to do this please? I'm looking to create a range of sizes; 20cm, 15cm or 10cm square. I was thinking of being able to cut down larger sheets of hardboard or ply to these sizes. I haven't got a colossal budget to buy tools so ideas towards the budget end of things would be really welcomed.

 

[nev]

A small table saw (with a fence set to your required width) would probably be the simplest method, but will be a tad unwieldy with large sheets, so a circular saw to reduce your sheets to strips would be beneficial.

Alternatively a circular or plunge saw with a track will also work but with more setting out and marking required.

Or the cheapest method = a handsaw, pencil, rule and straightedge :wink:

 

[rob.]

Have you priced up a joinery workshop to do it for you?

 

[DaveSarge]

Thanks very much Nev. I like the sound of the plunge saw and a track. That might be good to start with before graduating to a table saw. I've been using the cheapest method you mention but thought I'd try to save time and tired arms. Thanks again.

 

[Fitzroy]

I'd say it depends on the required accuracy, a single 1.2 x 2.4 sheet will give you 288 10x10 tiles, yes kerf waste will reduce this. If it was a one off and accuracy of +/- 1mm was ok i think doing it by hand wouldn't take too long, based on my recent experience cutting 18mm OSB boards by hand. I'd cut the sheet into strips using a chalk line and saw, then stack the strips and cross cut.

I do have a band saw so I'd probably saw the a sheet into four 60cm x 120cm boards by hand. Then saw these into the correct width strips on the band saw, stack them up and saw them again on the band saw to produce tiles. I doubt I could do better than +/- 1mm via this approach.

If you want spot on accuracy (+/- <0.5mm) I think you have to be looking at a panel saw, table saw or track saw set up.

F.

 

[DaveSarge]

I haven't thought of that to be honest Rob but I'll have a need to keep making more and more over the years so it would be great if I can make them myself as and when. I'll definitely look in to that though so thanks for the suggestion.

 

[DaveSarge]

Thanks Fitzroy. The method you describe sounds spot on. I'm now too fussed about accuracy - i think getting right angels would be far more important. It's sounding like a combination of a plunge saw and rail (to cut in to strips) and then a band/table saw to finish in to tiles would do the trick - does that sound right? A panel saw would be amazing but perhaps something I need to graduate up to (and save up for).

 

[rob.]

I guess you just have to weigh up the cost of tools to the cost of having it done, also would you use the tools for other things? If its something yo9u will be doing a lot if then it would probably be better to buy the tools to do it yourself.

 

[DaveSarge]

Whoops! I meant 'not too fussed' and 'angles'

 

[MattRoberts]

Of you currently have no tools, I'd probably recommend a combination of a track saw to cut the boards into strips, then stack them up and use a chop saw to cut the strips to length

 

[DaveSarge]

That's brilliant thanks Matt. Thanks for all of the replies everyone I think that gives me the answers i need - much appreciated.

 

[BearTricks]

I'm pretty curious as to what they'll be used for.

 

[Aggrajag]

I'm pretty curious as to what they'll be used for.

Me too

 

[sunnybob]

If i didnt have the right tools I would ask the man at the woodyard (B&Q/ what have you) nicely to cut them all on the giant vertical board cutting machine. A small extra cutting fee each time would take a long time to build up to the price of tools.

 

[DaveSarge]

Ha - to satisfy the curiosity I paint portraits in my spare time and use a mosaic style. I've tended to use paper and card in the past but this isn't ideal and want to move to a more robust base. www.davidsargerson.com for anyone interested.

I have asked the guys at B&Q to do some cutting for me in the past but it can be a bit unreliable if it's busy or the person doing the cutting is a bit grumpy. As well as the art I love the idea of furniture making (my own apothecary cabinet is a bit of a dream) so any tools I buy would be useful for other things.

I'm sure I'll be back on here for some advice about plenty of things in the future now that I've found you all.

 

[Marineboy]

Awesome portraits. As an Elvis Costello fan I love that one.