The Best Ways to Cut Paneling for Houses

Preparation

• 1

  Set up the saw horses so that you can rest the paneling on top of them without the paneling sagging. Position the saw horses so they are evenly spaced out, then place the paneling on top. The saw horses should be placed at least one foot inside the footprint of the paneling so the edges hang over and the middle of the paneling is supported.

• 2

  Measure where the cut should be on the paneling. You'll need to measure on both the top and bottom edges of the paneling and mark both with a clearly visible pencil mark.

• 3

  Place the metal tip on the chalk line at one end of the paneling on top of the pencil mark and pull the chalk line to the other end of the paneling. The chalk line must be directly on top of the other pencil mark as well.

• 4

  Pull up on the chalk line and release, which will now give you a straight guide line along the entire piece of paneling to follow while cutting.

Cutting the Paneling

• 5

  Place a 2-by-4-foot board on the paneling.

• 6

  Place the sabre saw up against the edge of the paneling and line up the blade with the chalk line. Adjust the 2-by-4 as necessary so the base plate of the sabre saw is snugly up against the side of the 2-by-4 and the board is parallel to the chalk line. Secure both ends of the 2-by-4 to the paneling with clamps.

• 7

  Place the other 2-by-4 on the paneling and push it up against the base plate of the sabre saw, then secure the 2-by-4 in place with another clamp.

• 8

  Remove the blade from the sabre saw. The instructions vary according to your saw, so consult your owners manual if you are unsure.

• 9

  Place the sabre saw in the middle of the paneling, then position the saw up against the guide board that is secured with both clamps.

• 10

  Adjust the second guide board so the edge is snugly up against the saw's guide plate, then secure the end of the 2-by-4 with the final clamp.

• 11

  Reattach the blade to the sabre saw.

• 12

  Place the sabre saw at one end of the paneling. Turn the sabre saw on by pulling the trigger, then push the saw gently through the channel to get a straight, even cut.