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Clean Cuts in MDF
Question
Forum Responses
From contributor G: What type of saw do you require? Is it a panel saw or table saw? If you are getting teeth marks, a few things to look at… First, as mentioned, it could be the arbor, or the stabilizers (make sure there is no debris). A triple chip will do the job with a 6^ hook angle. From the original questioner: Thanks. I was wondering about the alignment. I was thinking about just getting a new fence system anyway, as I don't like the one I have. I have a JET table saw and I don't have much confidence in their fencing. I thought that might be the problem and was thinking about junking it and putting a shop fox fence on it. I know someone with one and they seem to be able to take more abuse (bumping with sheets, MDF is heavy). As for the blade, I'm going to try that too. From contributor D: A note on the shop fox fence... I have one. It does take a lot of abuse and I really like it. The only thing I found was the HDPE sides weren't as flat/straight as I wanted them, so I had to shim them. I think it'll be easier just to replace them with MDF sides instead. From contributor A: Why, oh why, are you pushing sheets of MDF around on a table saw? If you're a small shop, and I suspect you are if you're using a TS, consider either a relatively inexpensive panel saw, or, for really low cost, build a flat torsion box table top (it will stay flat for a long time) about 3' x 7' (assuming you're working with 4' x 8' panels), drop a sheet of foam insulation on top, and buy a Festool circular saw. (This saw is made for cutting panel material - costs about as much as an inexpensive contractor TS.) With its included guide, this saw slices up panels as pretty as you could want. It's much easier to push a 10 lb. saw around than 25 - 100# pieces of panel. From the original questioner: Thanks for the info. That must be a problem with all of them. The guy I know with one sanded or planed down the HDPE and refaced it with a piece of Formica. I never asked why he did that; must have had the same problem. Would you like to add information to this article? Interested in writing or submitting an article? Have a question about this article? Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below? 
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