A friend wanted to hide the computer desk in their small apartment and we decided on a divider to block off the area. For this divider we bought a 2400mm x 1200mm (4ft x 8ft) sheet of pine softboard, but you could use a similar lightweight wood.

We decided we wanted five panels for our divider, so we divided the sheet up evenly into five 480mm wide x 1200mm (19" x 48") high pieces.

First, measure and mark where you want to cut on the sheet.

Mark your chosen increments across the top, bottom and middle of the sheet. By measuring and marking it three times, you can get an accurate straight line by using these three marks to align your ruler/stick to when drawing the cutting line.

Now you need to cut up your sheet into the five parts with a jigsaw.

Place your sheet on a workbench. Position the line you are about to cut along over the edge, as close to the bench as possible, while leaving enough room that the jigsaw blade will not run into the bench. Clamp the sheet to the bench in this position for stability.

If you do not have a jigsaw, a handsaw will do as this pine softboard is quite easy to cut. Have someone help you when you get near the end of each cut. They should hold the piece you are cutting off securely, so that the weight of it falling does not tear the tip as you near the end.