Easy Technique: How To Cut a 2×4 In Half

Your Guide to Easy, Accurate Cuts in Wood – Cutting 2x4s

Don’t buy pre-cut 2x2s, when you can easily save money and customize your own by cutting a 2×4 in half. This simple guide will show you how to cut a 2×4 quickly and safely, so you can have your wooden 2x2s looking neat and ready to use!

I find it is much more economical to buy 2x4s and rip them in half. I just bought several 2x4s today for $2.67 each at Home Depot with the purpose of ripping them in two. I touched on this method in a previous post “Things You Can Do With 2x Lumber” .

How To Cut a 2x4 In Half

There are two ways to do this and today, I share my methods for just simply ripping a 2×4 in half (it will still have two rounded edges) and for ripping the 2×4 so that all four edges are square.

Materials:

Please use all standard safety precautions. The instructions I offer here are just that – my methods for creating usable material to build useful things. I am not responsible if the project fails or if someone gets hurt especially if safety was not involved!

With that being said, set up the table saw to rip the 2×4 into a 2×2. Set the rip fence and raise the blade to rip 1-1/2″ material. Remember: the finished sizes of the 2x2s will be 1-1/2 x 1-1/2!
ripping 2x4s

I lay the 2×4 with the 1-1/2″ edge on the table and move the rip fence over until it is touching the side of the board. This way, the 2×4 should be the same measurement on all sides. I turn the saw on and run the 2×4 through.

rip 2x4 into 2x2
ripping 2x4 in half

How To Cut a 2x4 In Half using a push stick

Notice that one piece is larger than the other. Take the larger piece and run it through the saw without adjusting the fence.
How To Cut a 2x4 In Half comparing pieces

How To Cut a 2x4 In Half running through saw again

Now there are two 2×2 pieces and one 1/4″ x 1-1/2″ strip. I like to save the 1/4″ pieces for shims or cut them down to use as sticks to stir paint and stain.
How To Cut a 2x4 In Half finished cuts

To rip a 2×4 so that all  edges are square, set the rip fence for 3-3/8″ from the blade.
How To Cut a 2x4 In Half fence gauge on table saw

Run the 2×4 through the saw.
How To Cut a 2x4 In Half push stick through table saw

Now, lay the 1-1/2″ edge on the table and move the fence to touch the other side of the board.
How To Cut a 2x4 In Half cutting the board

Run the board through the saw with the rounded edge touching the fence.
How To Cut a 2x4 In Half final cut

Take the larger piece and run it through the saw with the rounded edge at the saw blade. This edge will be trimmed away and you will be left with two square 2x2s!
How To Cut a 2x4 In Half cutting off rounded edge

This same method can be used with 2×6 material which, of course, results in three 2x2s per board! I also use it for ripping 1×6 material into 1×3. It saves a bit anyway – for more lumber! Awesome!

** As a side note, I have to use extra caution using Big Daddy… He has six new roommates!
How To Cut a 2x4 In Half kittens under saw

How To Cut a 2x4 In Half kittens in sawdust

Have any questions on how to cut a 2×4 in half? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2012-12-27 08:00:06.