Finishing surfaces with Plastic panels is a facing method that is chosen by many nowadays as the best. After all, it is fast, simple and relatively cheap. However, during the work, the first question that arises is: how to cut the plastic panel? There are several possible ways, after considering which you can choose the most wonderful option for yourself.
What are they made of?
The starting raw material for PVC slatted panels is polyvinyl chloride , which is poured into a die (mold) under high pressure. This method is called the extrusion method. To add color to the material, ground real chalk is added, the amount of which is generally no more than 40%. In addition to coating with paint, panels are decorated using thermal printing or offset printing, but the latter method is not used as often due to its higher price.
Thermal printing is applied on a special machine using a hot roller, which presses the thermal film to the surface of the product. In this way, it is possible to achieve quick transfer of the design and a clear and light print, and the panel itself does not need to be finished with varnish , unlike the use of offset printing.
You might be interested in a note about how to decorate a room with a bathroom with PVC panels with your own hands.
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Cutting floor plinths using a miter box
To properly trim the plinth, a special device was invented, which was called a miter box . It is a small block with a recess for the plinth and with gaps located at different angles - for a cutting tool.
Miter box
Using a miter box you can get neat and even cuts. The plinth is fixed inside the product, then the angle and cutting direction required in a particular case is selected.
Cutting skirting boards
On a note! If it is necessary to form a beautiful corner using a miter box, then one piece of plinth is cut at one angle, and the second - in a mirror image.
Making a miter box with your own hands
When working with a miter box, it is important to ensure that the edges of the plinth protrude a short distance beyond the edges of the selected slot. If the cutting tool has a larger width than the plinth itself, then it is recommended to securely fix the product inside the miter box before cutting. Otherwise, the plinth may move inside, the cut angle will constantly change, which is why it (the cut) will turn out incorrect and incorrect.
Making cuts for joining skirting boards using a miter box
Important! During cutting, the pressure on the baseboard should be moderate. Otherwise it may break.
Cutting with a rotary miter box
Using a ruler and pencil without a miter box
If you don’t have a miter box on hand and don’t want to make stencils, then you can try applying the necessary markings to the baseboard using a pencil. In the case of forming an internal corner, the width of the product is measured with a ruler, then the resulting value is deposited on the end part of the plinth, and a pencil line is drawn from its corner to this marked point, along which the cut will be made. The second plinth, which will form an angle together with the first, is simply cut along the first one attached to it.
Important! If the installation of skirting boards is carried out in a room with complex geometry, then all corners will have to be carefully measured to avoid mistakes.
Floor plinths in non-standard corners
Electric jigsaw and angle grinder
Using an electric jigsaw is a quick but not very good method. It is unlikely that it will be possible to achieve a very even cut with its help; also, chips often appear along the edge of the panel, so it is best to abandon this option, giving preference to the same angle grinder. The use of this tool will ensure an even cut, but solely due to high speeds, the panel begins to emit an unpleasant aroma and toxic substances.
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Hacksaw
This tool can be found in any workshop at home. For those who are not ready to spend money on purchasing a cutter, using a hacksaw is truly an option for completing the task of cutting panels. Yes, this option takes a little more time, but with a small amount of work this will not greatly affect the time it takes to finish the walls.
It should be noted that a hacksaw for metal is most suitable for cutting panels, and if you use a tool for wood, then the blade should have fine teeth - for cross-cutting.
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Knives
There are a couple of options here:
- Primitive kitchen knife
- Construction knife
- Stationery knife
Although this tool is considered the least suitable for cutting PVC products, one or two strips can be cut off during repair work and replacing panels. But for large jobs it is not advisable to use it - the process will be long and painful;
The best option. You can buy it in a store, or you can make it yourself from a sheet of steel 3-5 mm thick;
Often used for cutting panels. Using a square or a straight piece of wood used as a ruler, you can achieve an even cut.
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Cutter
This device is convenient when speed and high-quality cutting of the end of the workpiece is important to solve the problem. The speed of operation of such a tool is high, while the quality is better than any of those described above. But, during work, you need to carefully inspect the panel for possible chips and lay it inside out towards the cutter, and with its face towards the supporting surface. This is due to the fact that the cutter can push the surface of the PVC workpiece by 2-5 millimeters.
The tool simplifies and speeds up installation work. Buying a cutter will forever close the question of how to cut a plastic panel, and other methods will no longer be relevant. When using it, it is important to remember that it will not be possible to trim in place with such a tool.
How to cut plastic panels correctly?
To get a good result when cutting you need to follow specific rules . Among them there are both general instructions and recommendations for working with a specific tool:
- It is not permissible to work with material that has been brought in from the cold - it should be burned before cutting. Cooled PVC becomes brittle, which leads to chipping along the cut edge.
- The slatted panels should only be cut from the front side. Otherwise, the profile will become wrinkled, and there may be difficulties during the installation process.
- Using an angle grinder, an electric jigsaw or a hacksaw allows you to cut a stack of panels at once .
- When working with a knife, it is necessary to use a guide on which the tool will rest during cutting.
In this case, they must be placed on two supports so that they do not sag, and the uncut edge must be rested against the wall - this will prevent the panels from moving during cutting. When using a power tool, it would be a good idea to wear safety glasses, since the likelihood of splinters getting into your face during work is very high.
This, as we have already said, can be a square or a wooden strip . The guide is placed to the cut line, the panel is cut and broken, then the material is trimmed on the other side.
That's all. The main methods of cutting PVC panels have been discussed and all that remains is to decide on the best option, the selection of which depends on the master’s own preferences and capabilities. For a comfortable method of cutting PVC panels with a hacksaw, see the video below:
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Useful tips
Experienced craftsmen recommend starting the installation of the baseboard from the inner corner. At the junction of two walls, which form the internal corner, the cut on the baseboards will be equal to 45 degrees (in a room with correct and precise geometry). It is recommended to cut using a miter box - this is the only way to achieve a perfectly even cut.
Cutting floor and ceiling plinths using a miter box
Advice! If necessary, you can slightly adjust the plinths to each other using a sander or rasp, slightly “removing” their edges.
In general, in any case, the cut edges of plastic skirting boards should be sanded - this way you will be able to get rid of sharp edges and it will be easier to work with. And cutting of skirting boards with cable channels is carried out only after disassembling the product - the decorative strip, designed to hide the wires and places where the skirting board is attached, is cut separately.
The plinth is cut to the required size
It is recommended that immediately before installing the plinth, cut the pieces to the required length and shape the corners, so as not to be distracted by this procedure while assembling the plinth. You should not neglect the use of additional elements - plugs, corners and other products for the plinth. With their help, it will be possible to give the finished work a finished and harmonious look.
Advice! If the corners where the plinth is laid and joined are uneven, then you can even trim decorative caps and other elements if necessary.
This device makes it very easy to cut skirting boards at any angle.
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PVC panels are a modern finishing material that has successfully and deservedly gained popularity in the field of interior decoration. They attract buyers with their price, ease of maintenance, stylish appearance, and most importantly, simple installation technology that you can do yourself. Many people prefer them to tiles when decorating the walls and ceilings of bathrooms and toilets.
The only problem that the user faces during installation is that the standard length of the panels is 3 meters, despite the fact that the ceiling height in panel houses is usually about 2.5 meters. And here the question arises - how and with what to cut PVC panels without damaging them? We will consider the answer to this question in the article.
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Safety regulations
Like working with any building materials, processing PVC panels requires compliance with several safety rules. These recommendations are especially relevant if you plan to work using a tool connected to the power supply, for example, a jigsaw or grinder. When cutting plastic with a power tool, there is a great danger that fragments and sawdust may fly off the panels. Therefore, experts recommend purchasing safety glasses and gloves in advance, which should not be removed until the work is completed. These seemingly simple personal protective equipment will help protect your hands and eyes from injury.
These tips should help you decide on the choice of tool , as well as create the interior of your own dreams and avoid most mistakes, because with a little effort you can achieve the desired result, saving a considerable amount of money.
The video shows how to easily and clearly cut a plastic panel.
Which tool is suitable for cutting plastic panels?
Finishers have many ways to cut plastic in their arsenal. And everyone who carries out repairs on their own can choose any of these methods, use professional tools or improvised means, based on their needs and capabilities. Let's take a closer look at all the pros and cons of each method:
Plastic cutter . Sold at any hardware store. With its help, you can make an absolutely even cut on a PVC panel without much effort.
The only downside is that it only cuts in a straight line, so you won’t be able to make rounded cuts. If desired, you can construct the cutter yourself - from a strip of metal about 1 cm wide and 2 mm thick. One side will need to be sharpened at an angle of 45 degrees, and the handle will need to be wrapped with electrical tape so as not to cut your fingers while working.
Hacksaw . For plastic, a tool with small teeth is suitable; pay attention that the teeth on the blade are not spread in different directions. This way the cut will be even, smooth, and the plastic will not become frayed.
It is convenient to use a hacksaw to cut several panels at once, stacking them on top of each other. Jigsaw. With it, the process of cutting panels will be much faster than with a hand tool.
But there are some nuances of working with a jigsaw: 1. you should immediately turn off the pendulum stroke. 2.
use a fine-toothed file. 3. adjust the speed of the saw (choose the lowest so as not to melt the cut).
A jigsaw will do an excellent job of cutting stacked panels, the main thing is that the height of the stack does not exceed the length of the file.
Walking into any hardware store, you can see a wide range of products that are available to everyone. The availability of assortment in stores today is truly impressive. Are people ready to pay a lot of money for expensive materials?
Is it possible to make a luxurious renovation using cheap materials? Of course yes. Plastic panels remain the choice for many today.
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Features of the material
Acrylic glass is called plastic . It is obtained by mixing methyl acrylic acid with ether components and their subsequent polymerization. Known under the names acrylic, plexiglass, plexiglass. It is not inferior to glass in transparency, but at the same time has less weight. When heated to 90-100°C, the material becomes plastic. It can be bent and given the desired shape. This property must be taken into account during processing. When heated, it is easy to deform the workpiece.
Acrylic begins to melt at 160°C. During the cutting process, the blade of a power tool heats up and heats up the workpiece. The temperature passes the melting point quite quickly. Plexiglas melts, its particles stick to the cutting unit, which makes work difficult. Therefore, it is advisable to use cooling. So, in production, a stream of cold air is blown or water is supplied. In the home workshop, the latter method is usually used.
Hacksaw
In terms of hardness and processing complexity, plexiglass is comparable to beech. It is enough to simply cut with a hacksaw or, if the amount of work is small, with a homemade cutter made from cutting blade. For processing, choose a blade with frequent small teeth. First, the workpiece is marked and a cutting line is drawn on it. Most often it is straight. Cutting a curved part with a hacksaw is very difficult. It is good to mark with a felt-tip pen or marker. It leaves a clear trace. You can do it differently. Scratch the line with a sharp nail or knife. You need to saw slowly, avoiding excessive heating of the part. To prevent the blade from sticking, it is recommended to periodically water the cutting area with cold water. The cut from the hacksaw is uneven and requires polishing.
What to cut with?
None The grinder is a tool that is suitable for cutting PVC panels; it leaves the cuts clean, which is important for many. Of course, this is a very common tool, but not everyone has it.
What to do in such a situation? In this case, an electric jigsaw can help cut the plastic panels. You should choose a jigsaw blade with a small tooth, testing it on an unnecessary piece in advance to make sure of the desired result. The ease of cutting panels is that you can cut several panels at once, saving time and effort.
What to do if neither one nor the other tool is at hand? In this case, there is no reason for frustration. After all, you can cut PVC panels even with an ordinary knife. Cutting with a regular knife is quite difficult. Of course, a construction knife is more suitable, but you can also make it yourself. To do this, you can take a piece of metal, approximately 3 to 5 mm. and sharpen one edge at an angle of 45, and simply wrap the other edge with electrical tape. But the most common option for cutting plastic panels is a stationery knife. An incision is made on the back side, and then the panel itself is broken. Using knives, cutting a panel is much easier than doing it with power tools.
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Video instruction
Sources
- https://kachestvolife.club/stroitelstvo/materialy/chem-rezat-paneli-bez-usiliy
- https://stroy-podskazka.ru/paneli-pvh/chem-rezat/
- https://VashPlastik.ru/otdelka/steny/chem-rezat-pvh-paneli-vybor-instrumenta-pravila-tehnika-bezopasnosti
- https://vceremont.ru/chem-rezat-plastikovye-paneli/
- https://narodnyeokna.ru/chem-rezat-paneli.html
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A few rules to follow
- Panels brought from outside at low temperatures must be warmed up. It is not recommended to do installation right away, as they are very sensitive.
- The easiest way to make markings is with a marker. Since it is clearly visible and also easily erased from the panel.
- Also, when cutting material, you must follow safety rules.
- Don't forget about any leftover trimmings. Do not allow them to be scattered around the room, otherwise you may injure your leg.
The high popularity of plastic panels is due to the large number of advantages inherent in this finishing material. One of the important advantages is ease of installation. There is only one nuance that can create difficulties. If it is necessary to finish rooms with a complex layout, you will have to decide how to cut the plastic panels, and how to do it carefully to prevent damage to the material.
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How to cut plastic panels
Plastic panels are easy to process. To cut the material you can use:
- Wood hacksaw
- Hacksaw for metal
- Electric jigsaw
- Construction knife
When choosing the best way to cut panels, you should consider several factors. If cutting will be done with a hacksaw, you need to use a blade with small teeth. It is advisable to use a tool designed for mixed or cross-cutting, the teeth of which are not set apart. This will create smooth cuts without burrs.
When working with an electric jigsaw, it is necessary to accurately calculate the pressure force, as the panel may break. You should not use a circular saw or grinder for this type of finishing. These devices will heat the plastic when cutting, releasing toxic substances. In addition, such a tool can break the panel.
After you decide what you will use to cut the plastic panels, take the necessary measurements; you need to draw a cut line on the front side of the panel. You can use a felt-tip pen for this. It will be clearly visible, and after cutting the line can be erased. When cutting, you must wear gloves and goggles to prevent splinters from getting into your skin or eyes.
Cutting is done on the front side. It is necessary to give the panel a slight slope. There shouldn't be any strong pressure.
If you use an electric jigsaw, you need to turn off the pendulum motion of the device. It is advisable to make several test cuts first to determine on which side of the panel the jigsaw creates an even cut. Using this device you can cut several panels at the same time.
Grinder (angle grinder)
Not every grinder is suitable for cutting panels. It should be small so that you can easily hold it with one hand. You won't be able to use a large grinder.
The thinnest disc of 0.8 mm, 1 mm or a maximum of 1.2 mm is installed in the grinder. The disk used is a regular one for metal.
The grinder gives an amazingly even cut, without nicks and, as people say, “snot.”
The grinder does not tear plastic. It doesn't matter what part of the panel you cut and in what weather. Both in cold weather and in hot weather - using a grinder, you will get an even cut.
Using a grinder, you can cut literally millimeters from a wall panel.
The disadvantages include the fact that it is heavier than a jigsaw, and even more so a knife. But the biggest disadvantage is that the grinder produces a lot of fine dust. It gets everywhere.
