Oriental Strand Board, or OSB as it’s more commonly known, is an affordable option for anyone looking for manufactured wood that has superior resistance to shrinking, splitting, and warping. But what can you use to cut OSB?
To cut OSB, you can use a jigsaw, table saw, circular saw, handsaw, or oscillating tool. Do not use a plywood blade to cut OSB. Saw blades need to be carbide-tipped for textured materials. Use a blade that has at least an 80-tooth blade.
OSB is a popular choice for carpenters and DIYers alike but it can be tough to cut. Here are some things to consider when working with OSB.
Blade
Regardless of the type of saw you decide to use, the blade is the most crucial item. Using the wrong blade to cut OSB will cause serious tear out. It’s tempting to use a plywood blade but the texture of OSB will damage the blade.
Only use a blade that is carbide-tipped. Carbide is industrial-grade steel that is half tungsten and half carbide, making the blade three times stronger than regular steel blades.
The strength of carbide blades will give you a cleaner cut. There will be less kickback and the finished product will be neater.
Safety
OSB dust is extremely dangerous to the eyes and lungs. It is very important to wear protective eyeglasses with side shields and a tight-fitting dust mask when cutting OSB.
Can You Cut OSB With a Hand Saw?
You have some OSB that needs to be cut but you only have a hand saw. Can you cut OSB with a hand saw?
Yes, you can cut OSB with a hand saw. A hand saw can be used when a few small sections of OSB need to be cut. Cutting larger sections of OSB with a hand saw will damage the teeth on the hand saw. A powered hand saw with a carbide-tipped blade is best for longer cuts.
Hand saw’s have come a long way since the early days. Gone are the days of only using a hand saw that is powered by elbow grease. Now you can get hand saws that are powered by electricity.
A powered hand saw is good for cleaning edges or cutting out small sections of OSB. Using the hand saw to cut larger sections of OSB will result in the saw overheating and ultimately damaging the blade.
Can You Cut OSB With Jigsaw?
You want to get creative with your cut. You want a round window opening instead of a square opening. Can you cut OSB with a jigsaw?
Yes, you can cut OSB with a jigsaw. Use a blade with a high teeth-per-inch rating. For cuts that will be visible and need to be clean, use a higher teeth-per-inch count. Cut the OSB face side down to minimize chip-out.
Using a jigsaw to cut OSB is not difficult, but it can be difficult to get a straight cut, especially if you free-hand the cut. Use guides to keep the blade straight.
The guides need to be placed tightly against the jigsaw shoe so that the jigsaw has resistance from the guides. The resistance should not be so much that the jigsaw cannot move smoothly down the guide. But it should be tight enough to prevent the jigsaw from moving off the marked line.
The use of guides will also reduce the effects of the vibrations produced from the saw. Vibrations will not only ruin the cut but also ruin the jigsaw blade, even causing it to break.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/03/2022
Can You Cut OSB With Table Saw?
The table saw lets you quickly cut large pieces of wood. But can you cut OSB with a table saw?
Yes, you can cut OSB with a table saw. Use a blade that is carbide-tipped and has a minimum of 80 teeth per inch. Cut the OSB face side up. The blade’s teeth cut downward, reducing the amount of tear-out on the face side.
The advantage to using a table saw to cut sheets of OSB is that the table saw will give you an accurate cut quickly. Table saw blades exit through the bottom of the OSB. Cutting the OSB face side up will reduce the amount of visible tear out on the finished side, leaving you with a cleaner edge.
As you move the sheet of OSB through the blade, keep forward pressure with one hand and side pressure with the other. Keeping pressure on both sides will ensure a straighter cut.
More caution needs to be used when using the table saw to cut smaller sections of OSB. Cutting smaller pieces of OSB means your face and hands are closer to the blade than they would be with large sheets of OSB.
Wear shatter-resistant eyeglasses with side shields to protect your eyes from small splinters that will come off during the cut. Wear a tight-fitting dust mask so you do not inhale the tiny dust particles created during the cutting process.
Can You Cut OSB With Circular Saw?
A circular saw gives you the ease of making cuts anywhere. Can you cut OSB with a circular saw?
Yes, you can cut OSB with a circular saw. The saw needs to be fitted with a blade that is at least an 80-tooth blade that is also carbide-tipped. Adjust the blade depth to cut enough material with one tooth blade exposed at the bottom.
It is very important to use a sharp blade with cutting OSB. A dull blade will cause the saw to work harder. This will result in the blade overheating, binding and kick-back, and ultimately an uneven and jagged cut.
You can reduce the heat buildup and kickback by placing two 2x4s on each side of the OSB. The 2x4s will cause the OSB sheet to fall away slightly as it is cut. This will reduce the pressure on the saw blade as it is cutting.
The teeth of the circular saw exit through the top of the OSB. As the teeth exit, this is where the tear-out happens, resulting in chipped and splintered edges. Cut the OSB face side down to get a cleaner cut on the finished side.
Can You Cut OSB With Router?
A router is such a versatile tool that lets you get more detailed in your work. Can you cut OSB with a router?
Yes, you can cut OSB with a router. You can use a spiral flute router bit to clean and smooth out cut edges that will be visible. A router can be used on installed pieces of OSB to cut window openings, electrical box openings, and much more.
The router needs to be fitted with a blade that is carbide-tipped to get the cleanest cut possible. Be careful to not push the router too quickly through the OSB material. Moving too quickly will result in the blade overheating.
Using a router to cut OSB will create a lot of fine dust particles. It is extremely important to wear protective eyeglasses and a dust mask to protect your eyes and lungs.
Can You Cut OSB With Oscillating Tool?
An oscillating tool is an essential item in every DIYer’s toolbox. But can you cut OSB with an oscillating tool?
Yes, you can cut OSB with an oscillating tool. Use a bi-metal plunge cut or segment saw blade. Depending on the type of cut, the blade needs to reach at least halfway through the sheet or completely through the sheet thickness.
Oscillating tools give you more flexibility and freedom when cutting OSB. An oscillating tool is the best choice when you are wanting to cut small sections or create more detail.
For longer cuts, use a round blade. Score the cut line first to get a cleaner cut. Remove dust from the cut line to prevent the blade from overheating.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/03/2022
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on July 3, 2022.
How To Cut OSB Properly
It can be tempting to just start cutting away on a large sheet of OSB. But working with OSB can be tricky. So before you grab your saw and start cutting, here are some things to keep in mind to help you cut OSB properly.
Step 1: Measure and Mark. Use chalk or tape to mark your cutline. This will ensure you get a straight cut. If cutting an angle or other shape, use a cardboard stencil to mark the cut line. Score the line with a utility knife to reduce the amount of tear-out when making the final cut.
Step 2: Cutting Tool. The type of tool you decide to use to cut OSB will depend on the type of cut you want to make. For longer cuts, use a table saw, circular saw, router, or handsaw. For curved cuts, use a jigsaw, or oscillating saw.
Step 3: Sealant. Once you have made the cut, use a waterproof sealant to seal the edges of the OSB. The sealant will protect the newly exposed edge from water damage. Allow the board to dry before installing it.
To cut OSB properly, use a saw blade that is at least an 80-tooth blade and is carbide-tipped. Score the cut line first to create a clean finished cut. Feed the OSB slowly through the blade to reduce the amount of heat the blade creates. Seal the cut edges with a waterproof sealant.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on July 3, 2022.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/03/2022
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on July 3, 2022.