How to cut into Plywood walls

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Stevewoods, Jan 13, 2022.

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  1. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Probably best for a carpentry forum, but I think this is a simple enough question.

    What's the best way & tool to use in cutting into plywood wallboard?

    Basically I have a tool shed -- simple construction. from the outside in:

    Cedar siding >> Plywood >> 2x4s.

    So most of the inside has the exposed 2x4s. H

    However, in a few sections, I put sheets of plywood in the inside so:

    Cedar siding >> Plywood >> 2x4s >> Plywood

    Basically, so things on shelves would not get pushed off the backs of the shelves.

    Shed has been solid for 12 years, but in the past month, squirrels have gotten in and are living between the sheets of plywood. Loud music and traps have not worked.

    Figure I am going to have cut out my plywood, expose their hiding places.

    Want the least mess, easiest method, of course. A chainsaw seems like overkill.
     
    #1 Stevewoods, Jan 13, 2022
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    An oscillating multitool with appropriate blades can make plunge cuts into the siding. Then you can continue to use the tool, or switch to a jigsaw or reciprocating saw.

    If you are careful, you can also make plunge cuts with a jigsaw, but it is a bit more difficult.

    Here's an example of an oscillating multitool:

    BLACK+DECKER 2.0-Amp Variable Speed Oscillating Multi-Tool
    BLACK+DECKER 2.0-Amp Variable Speed Oscillating Multi-Tool-BD200MTB - The Home Depot
    SKU# 203124595



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    #2 xliderider, Jan 14, 2022
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  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    If you have a jigsaw, and don't want to buy additional tools, drill a starter hole slightly larger in diameter than the jigsaw blade as a starter hole.

    Put your jigsaw blade through the hole and cut away. If you are cutting a square or rectangular hole, drill holes at each corner. Or, just two holes at diagonally opposed corners and cut down the sides to meet up at the other two corners.

    Cut from the drilled holes like this:

    O____

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    #3 xliderider, Jan 14, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2022
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  4. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    #4 TMR-JWAP, Jan 14, 2022
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    red squirrels?
     
    #5 bisco, Jan 14, 2022
  6. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Can also plunge cut with a circular saw.

    I assume you don't want to dismantle everything.
     
    #6 Trollbait, Jan 14, 2022
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  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Perhaps get a borescope, or inspection camera. Drill a few access holes between the studs and use the inspection camera to visualize what's there before you start sawing.

    Small holes will be much easier to patch. You can even glue in a short piece of wood dowel if you pick your hole/dowel diameters appropriately.

    If you find any critters, drop some naphtha mothballs down into the space and see if you can get them to abandon the area before getting destructive?

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    #7 xliderider, Jan 14, 2022
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  8. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    How big of a section do you want to open up? If you are trying to remove a large portion of the plywood in between the studs, then a circular saw would be the quickest and maybe easiest depending on your skill. You can just use the existing stud in the wall as a guide to rip the board. That is provided you have no wire or pipes to worry about. You can do a similar thing with a reciprocating saw or a jigsaw, but cutting a straight line and removing a large section with them is going to take more effort, I would think.
     
    #8 Salamander_King, Jan 14, 2022
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  9. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Would mothballs work?
     
    #9 fotomoto, Jan 14, 2022
  10. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    #10 xliderider, Jan 14, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2022
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  11. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    Bad news Stevewoods. In my state it is not legal to evict anyone during the Covid Epidemic. Pretty sure that in Washington this includes squirrels. Squirrel lives matter...
     
    #11 kenmce, Jan 16, 2022
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hav a hart with bird seed is gourmet squirrel
     
    #12 bisco, Jan 16, 2022
  13. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    Do the rafters have blocks between them where they meet the wall / top plate of the shed? It's not going to do much good to get rid of the current nests without solving the initial way in, that the squirrels have found and it sound like you may not have yet.
     
    #13 vvillovv, Jan 17, 2022
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  14. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    #14 ETC(SS), Jan 18, 2022
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i hope the squirrels didn't make steve stew :cool:
     
    #15 bisco, Jan 18, 2022
  16. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    I'll take a ground hog over a squirrel any day. I had one living under my 100 year old my garage slab. It was just another thing I had to take car of when rebuilding the 20x20' garage a few years ago.
    ~ ground hog kabobs anyone?~ ground hog lives matter?
     
    #16 vvillovv, Jan 18, 2022
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    mrs b's garden disagrees :p
     
    #17 bisco, Jan 18, 2022
  18. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Ask me in a couple of weeks. ;)
     
    #18 ETC(SS), Jan 20, 2022
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  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I like squirrels, but they're basically rats with longer tails, right?
     
    #19 Mendel Leisk, Jan 20, 2022
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  20. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Going to Punxsutawney:whistle:?

    I'm sure once they remove Phil from the hole and he sees his shadow, you can ask "what's next for him":LOL::ROFLMAO::LOL::ROFLMAO:.
     
    #20 Raytheeagle, Jan 20, 2022
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