Can panels be cut, shaped, and machined like solid wood?

Yes, panels can be cut, shaped, and machined like solid wood, but the approach may vary a little bit because of the make-up of panel materials. Panel materials, such as plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and particleboard, are made from bonded wood fibers or veneers with adhesive under high pressure and heat.

Cutting panels is a fairly straightforward process. Depending upon thickness and type of panel material, it can be done using a circular saw, table saw, or jigsaw. When cutting panels, a blade is used specifically for the type of panel material in question, since every panel has its own requirement for cutting.

Shaping panels may be done with the use of routers, shapers, and even hand tools. The said tools can be used in creating decorative edges, grooves, and other fine designs on the surface of the panel. However, since the core material of many panels, such as MDF or particleboard, is denser than solid wood, great care should be exercised in cutting or shaping to avoid the tendency for the panel to split or chip.

Machining the panels can be through drilling, sanding, or carving. The process of drilling the panels is almost the same as drilling into solid wood, but care must be exercised not to split the panel. Sanding the panels should give a smooth finish, and since the panels have a generally more uniform surface than solid wood, much less sanding may be required. Designs can also be carved into the panel, but since the panels are constituted by bonded wood fibers, the depth and intricacy of the carving may be limited in comparison to solid wood.

Importantly, some panels—plywood or veneered boards—bring to the surface layer a visible appearance similar to solid wood, allowing even greater flexibility through staining or painting for desired aesthetics. However, some of the visual appearances of cuts, shapes, or marks of machinery can differ from solid wood on the exposed edges of panel materials and should be a consideration in project planning.

In sum, even though panels can be cut, shaped, and machined like solid wood, the composition and characteristics of panels should be carefully considered to use proper techniques and tools to get the right results.