making window holes?

[homesteadinmama]

Okay so I bought the plywood siding for our new coop. What tool is used to make the rectangle window openings that are in the center of the plywood? I have been using a electric saw for cutting the 2x4s but I need to cut a big rectangle in the middle of the plywood. Thanks for assistance!

 

[floyd242]

I use a jigsaw and a straight edge.

 

[Bi0s]

yup a jig saw will do the trick

 

[BarefootMom]

or a chainsaw...

 

[JP101010]

Hi there , my hubby says definitely a skill saw- it will be quick easy and if measured and marked , perfectly symetrical and straight. to start the first cut, you must pull up and away , the safety sheild covering the blade. hold the saftey guard shield up while aiming the tip of the saw (round disc like blade) down on your first mark at a somewhat of a 90 degree angle - start cutting, and then lower the blade til your saw is laying flat THEN start cutting forward. its a lot harder to explain then it would be to show you. if you dont know what i mean after reading this i can probably draw a diagram and post it as a pic here on this thread
hope this helps,
happy building!

JP

 

[patandchickens]

Some people do dangerous tricks with circular saws. Don't. Instead, drill a large hole (as large a drill bit as you can get hold of) in each of the four corners of the rectangle, then use a power jigsaw to 'connect the dots' and cut out the rectangle. Or a reciprocating saw if you prefer (I don't though!) but then you will have to use a hole-saw bit for the corner holes, to make 'em big enough for the recip saw blade.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[homesteadinmama]

Quote:
After working with the saw while cutting the floor plywood, I was able to see that I can move the safety guard thing out of the way and make cuts without starting at an edge! Thanks

 

[PapaChaz]

i cut mine out with my circular saw, i did consider drilling holes in the corners and using the jigsaw, but i wanted to use the piece i cut out back in the opening, so the rounded out corners weren't gonna work for me. if you're not going to use that piece, and you're not real accustomed to using a circular saw, drill the corners and use the jigsaw, it's just much safer

 

[Hoosierchickens]

I also used a circular saw making plunge cuts and finished off the corners with a jigsaw so they are nice and neat. I found it helpful to put the plywood/OSB up first then drill a 1/8" hole at each corner. I then stuck a framing nail through each hole and ran my chalk line around them and snapped my lines. It takes a bit more time doing it this way but the end results are nice, neat openings perfectly sized to the framing.

A word of caution: If you aren't handy with a circular saw I would avoid making plunge cuts because it takes some skill. You'd be better off using a jigsaw although it will take longer and is a bit more difficult to make straight cuts.

 

[crj]

I think it depends on skilled you are with power tools. If you don't have experience with power tools then I wouldn't suggest the skill saw. A jig saw would be your safest bet.

Mark the size you want to cut the rectangle. Once you have that drawn get a drill and drill a good size hole in each corner staying within the lines. Next take your jig saw and insert the blade in one of the holes and follow each line as straight as possible. Good luck.

If you have experience with power tools and have used a skill saw then I would use that. I would only use it if you know how.