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How to cut shelves for inside cupboards?

alibee
Getting Established

How to cut shelves for inside cupboards?

Hi,

 

I want to add a few extra shelves inside my linen press, kitchen cupboards and my walk in wardrobe. I have a number of scraps of Custom Pine 16mm White Matt Carcass Particle Board MR as well as some pieces of Particleboard sitting around. What tools would I need to cut the particle board to size? 

 

I'd been thinking about getting a jigsaw for the project but I'm not sure if this is the best tool for the job.

 

I'm not concerned if the shelves don't look perfect, given they'll be inside cupboards but do need the cuts to be fairly accurate so they fit snugly into the cupboards. I've not had a heap of experience with power tools and other than cutting shelves to size I can't imagine I will need a saw for much else as I live in an apartment.

 

Thanks.

AlanM52
Amassing an Audience

Re: Tools and method for cutting shelves for inside cupboards

Glad to help and you can also use a length of clamped timber as a guide.

 

Cheers

Dave-1
Community Megastar

Re: Tools and method for cutting shelves for inside cupboards

Good Evening @alibee 

Jigsaws are used for rounded corners, tight spaces and to cut out/enlarge holes where a circular saw cant get to.

Circular saws are for straight cuts and they do the job so easily. Much easier using a circular saw (especially the smaller one I linked to) 

**note that I wouldnt use it for thick timber and you wont be cutting anything thick for your shelving.

 

Here is a photo that shows were I should have used a circular saw for a straight cut between corners of a seat base I was upholstering a couple of days ago. ... Yes the cuts are not the best and I was being lazy and didnt want to go get the circular saw :surprised:

01 22-01-2026.jpg

If you xoom in and look at the "straight" edges you can see a wave... I was using my jigsaw for the hand drawn corners on the timber and then just continued with the cutting. Its "ok" as it will be hidden by the cushion and the covering but "wiggles hand" not the wisest or easiest way to go.

Dave

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