Cutting windows / doors

[Sir Simon]

I am sure someone has a useful technique on cutting out windows / doors. Basically when I start to construct a new building which needs doors and windows, I first drill four holes in the courner of where I want the window to be and then using a small jigsaw cut from those drill holes to start making my window.

Unfortunately, the lines are never perfectly straight and they look as if someone has cut a piece of wood after spending all night in a pub and then letting loose on a jig saw.

Could you recommend a good tip or even a tool that could help me cut straight?

Most kind / thank you

Simon

 

[cacole]

Micro-Mark sells a punch for the corners (catalog number 81652 for 5/16" or 82394 for 3/16"), and then you can use a straight edge and X-Acto knife to connect the corners.

http://www.micromark.com

[captain perry]

I use a hand held electric jigsaw with fine teeth to cut windows and doors from 1/2" exterior plywood walls.  my hand is pretty good but not perfect.  I cut the hole a little small then clean it up with a rasp.

I work with a boat kit company that sells woodworking tools to help build the kit.  this rasp works very well...fast and easy  http://www.clcboats.com/scripts/phpThumb/phpThumb.php?src=/images/photos/products/Shinto-Saw-Rasp-.jpg&w=550  It has a fine and a course side. the course side makes quick work of removing wood (or plastic for that matter) the fine side neatens up the cut.  the trim of the window will cover imperfections.

[captain perry]

oops maybe this is the link http://www.clcboats.com/shop/products/boat-building-supplies-epoxy-fiberglass-plywood/boat-building-tools/shinto-saw-rasp.html

[g. gage]

Howdy Simon; This morning I had to cut some notches in a 2”x6” to go around a 4”x4” posts. I grabbed my “Sawzall” because it was handy. I used a long pointed wood cutting blade and was surprised how easy and clean the cuts were.

Good luck, Rob    

[bigboy]

I use a hand held rotary cutter and a cutting jig. The jig is made from a piece of clear plexiglas. I cut the window or door opening jig silghtly oversize to allow for the cuting bi. Once I have the jig it is simpally a matter of taping it over the spot I wish to cut the opening and then just plung cut the opening out with the rotary cutter. I file the conners square with a small triangular fise as they will be slightly rounded from the cutting bit. I foujnd this system gives me perfectly placed and square openings.

 

Big Johnt

[fontgeek]

I think that the tools you use will depend quite a bit on what you have to cut the holes in.

Cutting through quarter inch plywood is a whole different battle than cutting through a two by four.

For most thinner materials a rotary cutter would probably be the most versatile, and setting up guides with almost any kind of cutter would help you get more accurate lines.  The bigger, broader blades like those of a SawzAll ll help you get flatter/smoother cuts for the short stretches, the depth of the blade itself helps act as a guide.

You may find that a spring clamp (or two) and a speed/rafter square would let you have an easy way to set guides on most panels.  I would cut out the doors and windows before I cut the panels themselves to length.  The bigger pieces of material are easier to handle and clamp down.  If you find that edges are tearing away, try putting some scrap material clamped with the wall material so that you cut through both.  The second layer of material keeps you from having open and unsupported edges, it lets the scrap material take the beating.