Painters Tape Trick for Clean Plywood Cuts

Quick tip that saved me an hour of sanding yesterday – blue painter’s tape on plywood before crosscuts.

Run tape along your cut line on both faces. The adhesive supports the surface fibers and prevents tearout at the blade exit.

Works best with:

  • Birch plywood
  • Oak ply with thin veneer
  • Any laminated sheet goods

After cutting, peel the tape slowly at an angle. Clean edge, no fuzzy splinters.

Doesn’t replace a good zero-clearance insert, but it’s a solid backup when you’re in a hurry.

David Chen

David Chen

Author & Expert

David Chen is a professional woodworker and furniture maker with over 15 years of experience in fine joinery and custom cabinetry. He trained under master craftsmen in traditional Japanese and European woodworking techniques and operates a small workshop in the Pacific Northwest. David holds certifications from the Furniture Society and regularly teaches woodworking classes at local community colleges. His work has been featured in Fine Woodworking Magazine and Popular Woodworking.

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