How and how to cut an OSB board?

Oriented strand board is a fairly popular material used in construction. This material is abbreviated as OSB or OSB. Such a large-format sheet needs to be adjusted to the required dimensions, so the craftsmen have to perform similar actions directly in the process of work. The article provides detailed information on how to easily and efficiently cut OSB-slabs.

OSB boards are one of the most popular materials used for interior decoration. With their help, you can create load-bearing elements of buildings, choose as different types of cladding. Similar materials are used in the assembly of cabinet furniture, stairs and other structures.

When choosing this product for work, you should familiarize yourself with the principle of manufacturing this material. OSB is a material having 3 or more layers. Each of them consists of crushed chips mixed with resin. The length and thickness of the chips can be very different, while they are oriented in opposite directions. To make the board more durable, all layers are located in a clear direction, while the location of the chips in each layer occurs perpendicular to the previous and next layers.

The wood-based panels contain resin and glue for bonding veneers, chips and sawdust. Thanks to this, the slabs are elastic and rather dense.

For high-quality cutting of OSB sheets, you should use special tools, and also adhere to some rules.

• The sheets are cut first across the fiber, and then along it. This will protect the material from deformation and splitting.

• The correct selection of tools is an important factor. For sawing on the inside, a saw (hand saw or band saw) is more suitable. When working on the reverse side, a contour or disc plate is often used.

• When using a circular saw, it is necessary to keep the speed at a fairly high level.

• The material should be fed smoothly, without jerking, otherwise there is a possibility of deterioration.

The choice of tools suitable for this material will allow you to work without creases and other defects.

With not a very large amount of work, you can even cut the slab at home with a hand saw or knife. But in this case it is unlikely that it will be possible to do it qualitatively. A hand hacksaw is not the best tool for sawing an OSB plate. Even experienced craftsmen can rarely do such a job up to the mark. In the absence of other, more suitable tools, it is better to cut the plate with a saw with fine teeth, leading the tool gently. The knife is also less suitable for working with OSB sheets; it is more often used only for marking.

Here is a list of suitable tools to use when sawing sheet material.

• Jigsaw. This tool is more suitable for making curved cuts. Cutting the sheets in a straight line with a jigsaw is quite difficult. In the process of work, defects in the form of chips and pile may appear on one of the sides of the product, therefore, the correct choice of a file in this case is very important.

• Manual electric router. Using this tool will cut the slab clean and straight.But at the same time, it is often necessary to make several passes with a large thickness of the slab.

• The most successful option for cutting such materials is considered to be a circular. When using a circular saw, the cut is very high quality. The motor has enough power to cut even fairly thick sheets. Working with such a tool will allow you to get an edge perpendicular to the face of the sheet when cutting. Changing the slope will allow you to make the edge at a 45 degree angle. For best results, use discs with a large number of teeth.

OSB boards are usually large, so it is preferable to cut them on the floor. If it is necessary to cut a large number of such sheets, it is advisable to do this on a special scaffold.

Regardless of the choice of tool, it is necessary to slightly raise the slab using small blocks of wood. When working with a jigsaw or hacksaw, they are placed along the cut.

Using the advice of experienced craftsmen for cutting such materials, you can cut OSB sheets quickly and without defects.

• During operation, the rotation speed of the device should be maximum. In the case when the saw starts to go with effort, or when the workpiece "burns", it is necessary to reduce the speed of rotation of the tool. In this case, it is necessary to ensure the minimum feed rate.

• Before cutting off the sheet, it is necessary to make a test cut by selecting an unnecessary piece of material. This will make sure that the markings are well visible, as well as choose the most suitable speed, evaluate the quality of work, and determine the size of the finished product.

• The basic rule when sawing sheets is continuous and smooth guidance of the tool, since when stopped, traces often remain. Many beginners, trying to avoid chips at the end, begin to cut the slab from both sides, which is incorrect.

• It is necessary to make sure that you have access to the markings, it is convenient to distribute the cable of the working tool.

• It is necessary to cut not along the marking line, but next to it.

• When marking, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the cut.

• Before starting work, make sure that the tool is working at full power. This will protect against "kickback".

• After completing the work, you must wait until the disc has completely stopped, and then remove it from the sheet.

The main task of the masters when fixing the plates is to exclude the possibility of jamming of the equipment in the sheet during work. And also it is necessary to exclude excessive vibration. To protect the front surface from raising the pile and from chipping, use suitable tools for this, and also select the desired modes of their operation. Some experts advise sticking masking tape along the cutting line, making a marking directly on top of it - this will allow you to get a high-quality cut.

Many people recommend using a sharp knife to mark the line. In this case, the knife blade will cut through the fibers in the upper layers, reducing the likelihood of chipping. To obtain a clear cut line, it is advisable to choose a "guide" in the form of an edged board, a bar, trimming material with smooth edges or aluminum rules. The guide is fixed to the plate using self-tapping screws.

Watch a video on how to cut an OSB board.