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Guides
Everything to prepare your project well: from choosing sheet material to a clean cut list, and from the saw kerf to cutting straight with a circular saw. Looking for a specific calculator? See all cut list calculators, or open the tool and start cutting. Comparing tools? Read our comparison of the best free cut list optimizers.
Sheet material
Choosing sheet material
Plywood, MDF, particleboard, OSB or melamine? Compare strength, price, moisture and finish.
Cutting plywood to size
Types and grades, which thickness, the grain on visible parts, and a clean show edge.
Cutting MDF to size
Which thickness, moisture-resistant MDF, and how to finish the porous edges.
Cutting particleboard to size
Types and thicknesses, what to use it for, and cutting it without chipping.
Cutting melamine board to size
How to cut the pre-finished board without chip-out, and how to finish the edges.
Cutting OSB to size
Grades and thicknesses, what to use it for, and finishing it for a clean look.
Finishing sheet material
Sand, prime, seal or oil: how to finish plywood, MDF and particleboard so it lasts.
Cutting & technique
How to make a cut list
What goes in a cut list, and how to build one in five steps without mistakes.
How many sheets do I need?
Why area math falls short, a quick estimate, and the exact count from a real layout.
Cut optimization
Pack your parts with the least waste, and the three goals you can optimize for.
How a cut list optimizer works
Kerf, guillotine cuts and the trade-off between least waste, fewest cuts and lowest cost, in plain English.
Saw kerf explained
What the kerf is, why it adds up, and how to account for it so parts come out to size.
Cutting straight with a circular saw
Setup, blade and depth, preventing tear-out, and working safely on a guide rail.
Plunge saw and guide rail
Straight, splinter-free cuts without a table saw, plus how to plunge safely.
Which saw blade for sheet goods
Tooth count, ATB vs TCG and hook angle, and how to avoid chipping.
Applying edge banding
A clean, sealed edge: how to apply it, which edges to band, and how it affects the cut size.
Reusing offcuts
Keep leftover panels as offcut stock and put them to work in your next project.
Cabinets & projects
Building a cabinet to size
From the outside dimensions to carcass, layout, doors and drawers, straight to a cut list.
Building a wardrobe to size
Hanging space, shelf towers and drawers at the right depths and heights.
Building a walk-in closet
Lay out hanging rails, shelf towers and drawers around a room for a walk-in closet.
Building a bookcase to size
Shelf spans without sag, depths and spacing, adjustable or fixed shelves.
Building a wall shelf to size
The right thickness and span to keep a wall shelf flat under load.
Building a TV unit to size
A floating or standing media unit with open bays, drawers and cable routing.
Building a drawer unit to size
Drawer boxes, fronts and slide clearances that run smoothly.
Building a kitchen cabinet to size
Base and wall cabinets, common sizes, and moisture-resistant material.
Building a bathroom vanity to size
Moisture-resistant material, sealed edges and a wall-hung install.
Building a corner cabinet to size
Make the most of a corner with an L-shaped or angled cabinet.
Cabinet under a sloped roof
Fit a cabinet under an attic slope, with a sloped top panel and angled cuts.
Cutting a countertop to size
The best materials and thicknesses, finishing the edges, and a solid base.
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