What works best to cut thick rubber mats
- Thread starter Ryanps8
- Start date
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
How thick?
If similar to a welcome mat or rubber car mat, then a utility knife and a metal straight edge.
If in the 1/2" th hard mat and above category, you get into band saw, jig saw, dual blade saw or mini circular saw territory for me.
Again, guided with a metal straight edge or fence or a clamped straight temp wood guide.
If ur really good you can do a grease pencil line or chalk snap line as a cut guide and free-hand the cut.
Thicker the mat'l, the bigger tool ya gotta go to. But you knew that.
If similar to a welcome mat or rubber car mat, then a utility knife and a metal straight edge.
If in the 1/2" th hard mat and above category, you get into band saw, jig saw, dual blade saw or mini circular saw territory for me.
Again, guided with a metal straight edge or fence or a clamped straight temp wood guide.
If ur really good you can do a grease pencil line or chalk snap line as a cut guide and free-hand the cut.
Thicker the mat'l, the bigger tool ya gotta go to. But you knew that.
Last edited:
fury9
Well-known member
skilsaw with the mat on a piece of plywood,snap a chalk line or make a mark that is visible of some type and set the blade to depth and cut away! ^^ You beat me to it! haha
Last edited:
kyrbz
Well-known member
There are wavy knife style jigsaw blades for cutting foam, rubber, leather, etc. I also like these rubber knives. They're really a handy item to have in the toolbox.
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Knives/6SQRU.html
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Knives/6SQRU.html
Attachments
Krokodil
Well-known member
I use a normal Stanley knife to cut conveyor belt.
gonefirefighting
Well-known member
been installing them for a long time in horse trailers.
get a cup of water, fresh utility knife, dip blade in water and slice, repeat as necessary
get a cup of water, fresh utility knife, dip blade in water and slice, repeat as necessary
darkk
Well-known member
Are you going to use the mats to stand on? Aren't they a little hard for humans to stand on or are they a good alternative to the others available?
Jbullfrog
ALLIANCE MEMBER
They are pretty close if not the same as commercial anti fatigue mats. I have some from a factory sale that I cut isolators out of. Anything is better than standing on concrete all day.
Ign
Well-known member
Krokodil
Well-known member
I use conveyor belt top for my workbenches. Normally when you get them they give off a lot of black rubber from being burnt in the sun. After a coating with your favorite flour polish they are as smooth a stainless steel! I'll post some pics later.
I had some old rubber matting that I cut with a utility knife and a new blade.
darkk
Well-known member
The ones I saw at Tractor Supply looked like bits of rubber all repressed into the mat. It did seem pretty firm, but as been said, anything is better than standing on concrete all day...
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
I use my air recip with a hacksaw blade that I ground to have a knife edge, works the ballz.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
A sharp utility knife blade coated with silicone grease.
Justanoldguy
Well-known member
daparrothead
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2013
- Messages
- 200
I bought one of the thick ones from tractor supply to put in the bed of my truck, that sucker is heavy duty 90lbs !
I have one I plan to cut up for other uses, make isolator pads for my new air compressor when it gets here.
So I am very interested in the easiest methods for cutting these monsters.
Oh and I was told these are made from recycled rubber, tires etc.
daparrothead
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2013
- Messages
- 200
They are actually made for horse stall's, but can be used for many different things but they are heavy!
kythri
Well-known member
I just bought a 4'x8' 3/4" thick stall mat, and cut it into 2'x2' sections with a utility knife. Cut pretty easily.
When I'm constantly moving from underneath a car and back up again, these things really save my knees.
When I'm constantly moving from underneath a car and back up again, these things really save my knees.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
I've cut hundreds of these 3/4 inch recycled rubber horse mats with utility knives, sawsalls and a jig saw. they all work and I saw either in this thread or on a Crossfit thread that some guys use a skill saw. if that works i'm going to that method next.
by the way the 4 x 6 footers by .75 thick horse mats sell here in my area for about $40 last year and you can pull your truck or trailer up next to the skid. they weigh about 80 pounds each so the young guys at the feed stores are not happy to help load them, but they do if you ask nice.
what are others paying for these?
by the way the 4 x 6 footers by .75 thick horse mats sell here in my area for about $40 last year and you can pull your truck or trailer up next to the skid. they weigh about 80 pounds each so the young guys at the feed stores are not happy to help load them, but they do if you ask nice.
what are others paying for these?
Rookie2
Well-known member
The one i bought at tractor supply has a terrible smell from the recycled rubber, I couldn't leave it in the garage.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
GOOD TIP !
I guess you could have a helper use silicon spray on the blade as you were cutting also.
Steroblan
Well-known member
I cut heavy conveyor belt at work with this method with exellent results. Use a straight edge to mark the cut line with a white pencil or other visible marker. Then partially fold the belt or mat so the cut line is near the center of the fold on the outside. Use a razor knife to cut along the mark. The belt will cut easily and amazingly peel back to keep the blade from binding. No heat or lubricant is required. It's a one man job but a helper to hold the belting in place helps.
Benjamin12
Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2015
- Messages
- 5
I've also had good luck with a NEW, SHARP utility knife blade, and patience (and a cutting guide - but I was working on some rather irregular shapes.) Cut dry.
There may be a "knife" blade for the Sawzall out there - it won't give you anywhere near as ratty a cut. I've been able to use find (24TPI or better) hacksaw blades on this stuff. It takes time, but gives nice cuts. For further assistance or more information you can click here hope i offered some help.
There may be a "knife" blade for the Sawzall out there - it won't give you anywhere near as ratty a cut. I've been able to use find (24TPI or better) hacksaw blades on this stuff. It takes time, but gives nice cuts. For further assistance or more information you can click here hope i offered some help.