How to Cut Thick Wood

Woodworkers are always looking for new tools and techniques to make their jobs easier. One of the most common tasks is cutting thick wood, which can be a challenge with many methods. The good news is that there are several ways to cut thick wood more easily.

In this blog post, I’ll cover three different options: Cutting thick wood using a jigsaw, using a circular saw, and using a table saw. All have their pluses and minuses but one way will work better in particular situations than another depending on the type of thick wood you’re working with or your skill level as a woodworker.

We’ve also included some tips and tricks below that will help you get started quickly if you don’t know how to cut thick wood with any of the methods.

It’s worth mentioning that you should avoid thick wood if possible. It takes more time and causes more wear on your tools than working with thinner boards. You also need a lot of space in order to work comfortably with thick wood, which can be difficult depending on the job.

However, thick wood isn’t always a bad thing – if you use thick wood for your projects, it may be worth the extra effort since thick wood is usually cheaper and provides more stability than thin materials.

Cut thick wood using Jigsaw

A jigsaw is a great tool for cutting thick wood. Jigsaws are also very versatile and can be used for curved cuts as well. It can be used by professionals as well as beginners as it has a very little learning curve.

There are a variety of different shapes and sizes and many jigsaws have a very simple mechanism.

Some jigsaws are marketed as being able to cut thick wood up to four inches thick, but using some techniques, you can do it easily with every brand.

Check more about the best jigsaws for woodworking in the market.

The rule of thumb

The rule of thumb here is that if your wood diameter is equal to the length of the jigsaw blade when it slides up, you won’t be able to cut that thick wood with it. But, if the wood thickness is less than the length of the jigsaw blade when it slides up, it is then possible.

Steps for cutting thick wood with Jigsaw

Follow the following steps to cut your thick wood with a jigsaw.

1. Measure the wood thickness, and measure the length of jigsaw blade below its fence when the blade slides up. If wood thickness is less move on to next step.
2. Mark the wood where you want to cut it.
3. Place the thick wood on a workbench, or raise it on some rails, so the jigsaw blade can move freely beneath its marked area.
4. Start cutting from one side of the thick wood, until it cuts through the last point.

Pro tips and tricks

Pro tips, while cutting thick wood with a jigsaw

• Always start the jigsaw, and let it speed up before touching the wood piece.
• Move slowly, let the blade cut through easily.
• Don’t push your jigsaw hard. You may harm your blade or tool.
• Take some pauses in between cutting if your blade gets hot.

Cut thick wood using circular saw

A circular saw is a fast, effective way to cut thick wood. The large blade can cut large pieces of thick wood quickly and easily. It’s the most common method for cutting thick wood because it’s so easy to use.

But you should not underestimate the size and weight of a circular saw. The saw itself is heavy and often requires two hands to keep it steady, so be careful you don’t cut yourself. You need a large amount of space in order to move the circular saw around your thick wood.

One thing to remember when using a circular saw is that the blade will start to wear after cutting thick wood a few times, so if you have a lot of thick wood to cut, be prepared to replace the blade frequently.

The rule of thumb

If your wood thickness is equal to or more than the thickness of your circular saw blade diameter. It won’t be able to cut it. But if the wood thickness is 1 or more inches less, then you’ll surely cut it through easily.

Steps for cutting thick wood with circular saw

1. Measure the wood thickness, and measure the diameter of your circular saw blade. If wood thickness is 1+ inches less, you’ll be able to cut it.
2. Mark the wood where you want to cut it. It should be all around the wood.
3. Place the thick wood on a workbench edge, or you can also place it on the ground as well.
4. Position your circular saw to the marker, and start it. Let it speed up, then slowly let it cut through the thick wood from above.
5. When you finish it, flip the wood, and continue cutting it.
6. Continue flipping the thick wood one side at a time, and cut it, until all 4 sides are cut.
7. The thick wood will separate from the rest easily. OR, push it down a little bit by hand to finish cutting it.

Pro tips and tricks

• Take pauses in between if circular saw blade gets hot.
• Let the blade do the cutting.
• It may recoil, so hold your circular saw strong.
• Secure your thick wood strongly before starting.
• Use safety gear and gloves.
• Use guide to cut straight if possible

Cut thick wood using table saw

If you have a thick piece of wood, then a table saw is usually one of the first things that come to mind. However, not everyone has this tool or knows how to use it well enough for cutting thick wood.

It takes some practice to learn how to cut thick wood with a table saw – and even more, practice before you can cut thick wood efficiently. It’s an excellent choice for thick wood if you have the skill and patience to use it properly.

Cutting thick wood can be difficult with this method because you might face issues moving the thick wood over the table saw blade. However, there are other ways to avoid this problem if you’re willing to put in a little more time.

Rule of thumb

If your wood thickness is equal to or more than the height of the visible part of the blade multiplied by 2, then it won’t be able to cut it. But, if your thick wood thickness is less, then you’ll be able to easily cut it with your table saw.

Steps for cutting thick wood with table saw

• Measure the wood thickness, and measure the height of visible part of your table saw blade. Then multiply your table saw blade visible height by 2. If wood thickness is less than it, you can follow the below steps.
• Mark the wood where you want to cut it. It should be all around the wood.
• Align the thick wood marked line to the table saw blade. If your wood is longer than the work table of your table saw, you can hold it by your partner, or better place another same height table for your wood end.
• Start your table saw and let it speed up.
• Slowly move the thick wood towards the table saw blade, and let it cut through that side.
• Now flip the thick wood on another side, and cut that one to the end. Repeat this for all four sides.
• The thick wood will separate from the rest easily. OR, push it down a little bit by hand to finish cutting thick wood with table saw.

Pro tips and tricks

• Don’t push harder. Let the blade do the cutting.
• It may recoil, so hold your thick wood strong.
• Use safety gear and gloves.
• Use guide to cut straight if possible.
• Use appropriate blade to cut thick wood pieces with any saw

Conclusion

Personally, I would use a jigsaw or circular saw since they are much easier to learn and use. Table saws are excellent for thick wood but require more skill than the average person has available. If you want thick wood cut well without learning how to cut thick wood then hire someone with the skill set that’s needed.

Jigsaw and circular saw are the better options in my opinion but you may choose table saw if you have it at home. You won’t regret it!

I hope we have given you some good advice to help you out with thick wood cutting and that you are now ready to get your thick wood cutting projects started.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)