“Cut Tight to the Waste Side” Create the perfect shape by cutting outside the line.
In order to ensure a perfectly cut piece for a fit or design when using a bandsaw or jigsaw, it’s always best to cut on the waste side of the line. It is a bit of an art when it comes to how much to leave, but if you can get it to about 1/32″ sanding, planing or scrapping it right to the line is pretty easy. If you try to cut right to the line, you leave no room for small errors or a slightly wandering blade. The cutout line drawn with a pencil separates the work piece from the waste. It’s best to think of it as a “No Passing Zone” meaning don’t cross the line.
For a curved or irregular shape, the bandsaw is the best choice unless the piece is too large or you don’t have a bandsaw then use the jigsaw; these tools will remove most of the waste. But the blades on these tools leave noticeable marks so don’t cut on the line. The closer you cut to the line the easier it is to clean up the design to the line. This takes practice and a good saw. Then smooth the edges with either a sanding drum, router with a flush trim bit, or a hand planer or scrapper, work right to the line for a perfect shape like the edge of the bar stool below.
