How to not get splinters when working with plywood?

[michael langman]

I got out my block plane and went over the edges of plywood I used for my tablesaw sled after removing a small dagger type splinter from my finger the other night.I used construction plywood being the cheapie I am.

[Roger Feeley]

There seem to be two threads here: Splinters in the hand, and tearout.
For splinter injuries, I just try not to slide my hands. I let go and grab somewhere else. I learned that working sheet metal. Gloves are a great idea around saws. I'm always careful to avoid getting gloves near any moving machine parts.

For tearout, there are great hints:
sharp blade
apply tape
You can score the material using a utility knife
zero clearance plate
I get great results with a High Alternate Top Bevel blade. Those things are scary and prone to chipping but they cut clean.

[fred everett]

The finger I'm clicking my mouse with right now hurts like crap due to a huge plywood splinter I removed two days ago. I usually wear Depot work gloves which pretty much eliminates splinters for me. Two days ago I was too lazy to find the gloves and I got bit. I was too lazy so I suffer in silence... I do not wear gloves when operating machines or even power tools.....when it comes to that I do not get lazy.

[Jim Fox]

I get little splinters every time I run Baltic Birch, even with a fresh sharpened Freud blade. If I don't have a new splinter or abrasion on at least one hand, my time in the shop isn't over yet.

[Joe Jensen]

I agree with Jim, I use really sharp blades on a sliding table saw with a scoring blade and the board clamped to the slider. The cut is fantastic, but if you accidentally run your hand along the edge you get a micro splinter and with hard wood it's easy to slice your finger open. I do both regularly. If I have a period where I'm in the hobby shop for a few weeks my hands toughen up. I do not wear gloves for anything other than moving material around. Never when running machines.

[fred everett]

Joe's post above made me realize I shouldn't take for granted folks know it's not a good idea to wear gloves running machines. I learned years ago even pwr hand drills pose risk when a bit slid on steel I was hand holding grabbed my glove. Had to cut the glove off and get stitches.....minor but an important warning for me.

[Jim Becker]

Of course, considering the KISS method...perhaps we should all stop running our hands and fingers along the board edges. LOL