Cutting Plastic Tile

[emcman97015]

Hello new member here

Getting close to buying some tile for the garage.
For cutting I will use my table or compound miter saw.
What teeth count will get me a good cut. 60, 90, 140, 200?

Do you cut finish side up or down? My width is 4 inches short of a full tile so
I figure to cut both side for uniformity of the pattern and still leaving the expansion area.

I have enjoyed looking around on the site and learning much.

Thanks for any thoughts on this

 

[Garage Flooring]

I always cut so the blade hits the bottom of the tile first. So on a table saw I cut face up and on a miter saw I would go face down. The finer the blade the better the cut, but don't go to crazy. Also some blades get real hot. Let them cool off if they do

 

[thejunkmanadv]

I used a oscillating multi-tool (like the Fein Mutltimaster) for compound or irregular cuts. It did the cuts precisely with no melting. Just another option for more precise cuts that might need to be made.

 

['71 VW 1302]

I just put in a RaceDeck floor. I had to trim the last row of 11 tiles. No table saw for me, so I scored with a futility knife and broke them over my thigh. It's slower than a table saw, but at least my leg hurts.

Paul

 

[MSG C5]

I just put in a RaceDeck floor. I had to trim the last row of 11 tiles. No table saw for me, so I scored with a futility knife and broke them over my thigh. It's slower than a table saw, but at least my leg hurts.

Paul

Any other least cost alternatives for cutting plastic/Racedeck tiles? I'm thinking about purchasing a jigsaw for this project and for future home projects. I don't own a table saw, but I do own a circular saw. I'm not sure if the jigsaw would help in cutting a better straight line and cutting out L-corners vs. the circular saw.

I don't want to spend a lot just to cut 5-10 tiles.

 

['71 VW 1302]

Any other least cost alternatives for cutting plastic/Racedeck tiles? I'm thinking about purchasing a jigsaw for this project and for future home projects. I don't own a table saw, but I do own a circular saw. I'm not sure if the jigsaw would help in cutting a better straight line and cutting out L-corners vs. the circular saw.

I don't want to spend a lot just to cut 5-10 tiles.

I had to cut them essentially in half. I needed a 5.25" piece to finish the floor and leave a 3/4" gap. If I needed to work around obstructions or cut out L shaped corners, a jig saw would work. I couldn't find an easy way to properly/safely hold the tile and cut with a circ. saw.

11 tiles took me 45 minutes to measure, cut and install, along with two edge pieces. A sharper blade in the futility knife would have helped too.

YMMV.

Paul

 

[thejunkmanadv]

http://www.harborfreight.com/oscillating-multifunction-power-tool-68861-8493.html Might try HF's version of a oscillating multi-tool if you have a store close by. It can be used for other jobs too. Just a thought.

 

[nolimits76]

Any other least cost alternatives for cutting plastic/Racedeck tiles? I'm thinking about purchasing a jigsaw for this project and for future home projects. I don't own a table saw, but I do own a circular saw. I'm not sure if the jigsaw would help in cutting a better straight line and cutting out L-corners vs. the circular saw.

I don't want to spend a lot just to cut 5-10 tiles.

Your circular saw would be best for straight line cuts. The jigsaw is best suited for detail work (L-shaped corners, etc).

I know we all want to keep costs to a minimum, but my opinion is there are some saws a homeowner needs. I have concluded a circular, jig and miter saw should be in every garage.

I'm sure you are spending $1,000 on flooring. I don't think it would be out of line to include $100 to help purchase some tools to help your install go smoother, plus prepare you for future projects. As a last resort, you could probably rent what you need as well.

 

[RaceDeck1]

This style cutter works very well for clean precise cuts and is safer to use as well.
You can find at tool rentals or we have them for sale as well, but they are pricey and sold mostly to our commercial customers who install product for a living.

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[emcman97015]

Thanks for the information. I have a Dremel for any fine cuts as well as a jig saw for the two round posts protecting the furnace. I will get a 90-120 count tooth blade for the table saw unless I see a guillotine cutter for rent.

I plan on getting Race Deck. I need to ask for my discount now though.
Going with the Tuff Shield I think.

 

[SteveCh]

Any other least cost alternatives for cutting plastic/Racedeck tiles? I'm thinking about purchasing a jigsaw for this project and for future home projects. I don't own a table saw, but I do own a circular saw. I'm not sure if the jigsaw would help in cutting a better straight line and cutting out L-corners vs. the circular saw.

I don't want to spend a lot just to cut 5-10 tiles.

I was planning to use my table saw, as I had a couple dozen tiles to cut [Racedeck]. However, just to try one tile late at night, planning to do the rest the next day, I took my little hand-held jigsaw to a tile, using a fine-toothed metal-cutting blade. Worked so well that I didn't even bother with the table saw when I did the others.

 

[emcman97015]

I do have some samples that I though would be good to try cutting first.

 

[ARCTIC_RAGTOP]

I know with proper safety techiques you would probably be fine but if it were up to me I would use a miter saw over a table saw in a second, for the simple fact that, in my opinion, cutting these tiles is much safer with a miter saw than with a table saw. I used a 12" DeWalt sliding miter to cut mine, with a 32T general purpose blade although an 80T finishing blade would work as well. There were no isses with the 32T cuts.

 

[MSG C5]

I was planning to use my table saw, as I had a couple dozen tiles to cut [Racedeck]. However, just to try one tile late at night, planning to do the rest the next day, I took my little hand-held jigsaw to a tile, using a fine-toothed metal-cutting blade. Worked so well that I didn't even bother with the table saw when I did the others.

That's good to know. I have no problem investing in a good jigsaw because I know I will get some good use out of it beyond this project.

What type of blade did you use to cut the RD tiles. How many teeth in a fine tooth metal blade?

 

[MSG C5]

I know with proper safety techiques you would probably be fine but if it were up to me I would use a miter saw over a table saw in a second, for the simple fact that, in my opinion, cutting these tiles is much safer with a miter saw than with a table saw. I used a 12" DeWalt sliding miter to cut mine, with a 32T general purpose blade although an 80T finishing blade would work as well. There were no isses with the 32T cuts.

Do you think a miter saw would work better in cutting L-corners and trim edges vs. a jigsaw? I don't think I will have too many, if any, straight cuts, just cuts around supporting cinder block columns in the middle of the garage.

 

[emcman97015]

I know with proper safety techiques you would probably be fine but if it were up to me I would use a miter saw over a table saw in a second, for the simple fact that, in my opinion, cutting these tiles is much safer with a miter saw than with a table saw. I used a 12" DeWalt sliding miter to cut mine, with a 32T general purpose blade although an 80T finishing blade would work as well. There were no isses with the 32T cuts.

I have that saw myself and give it a try. I did not want to buy another 12" blade but may. I bought the Dewalt for installing some "Pergo" type flooring and it was perfect but it does dull the blades fast.

 

[emcman97015]

Do you think a miter saw would work better in cutting L-corners and trim edges vs. a jigsaw? I don't think I will have too many, if any, straight cuts, just cuts around supporting cinder block columns in the middle of the garage.

The only think I would warn is how and round blade cuts corners. You will need to undercut it and finish it with a straight blade. If you have the bottom side towards the blade you should be OK but still will need to finish the cut with something else. Hope this make sense. Like edging a driveway with a sidewalk on one end. You never get the cut all the way to the corner as the top of the blade cuts ahead of the bottom of the blade.

I would suggest a jig saw myself even if it a one time use item.

 

[RaceDeck1]

We have numerous videos showing installation on our RaceDeck YouTube page like these

Here is a clip from the HomeTime TV show showing cuts

 

[MSG C5]

The only think I would warn is how and round blade cuts corners. You will need to undercut it and finish it with a straight blade. If you have the bottom side towards the blade you should be OK but still will need to finish the cut with something else. Hope this make sense. Like edging a driveway with a sidewalk on one end. You never get the cut all the way to the corner as the top of the blade cuts ahead of the bottom of the blade.

I would suggest a jig saw myself even if it a one time use item.

That's what I'm thinking as well. I can already think of about 5 other upcoming home projects where a jigsaw would come in handy.

Any jigsaw brand suggestions and blade suggestions for cutting the plastic tiles? Also, do they sell any type of jigsaw blade guide to help keep the straight lines straight?

 

[emcman97015]

That's what I'm thinking as well. I can already think of about 5 other upcoming home projects where a jigsaw would come in handy.

Any jigsaw brand suggestions and blade suggestions for cutting the plastic tiles? Also, do they sell any type of jigsaw blade guide to help keep the straight lines straight?

I would think any jig saw will work. I think I have an old Black and Decker,
The base has a slot in it and you can buy an adjustable guide that slips into it that you can adjust for with. You can also get a blade set for a few bucks and try different types on a scrap or sample tile. Fewer bigger teeth cut faster but not as smooth and more smaller teeth slower cut but finer.
These tiles are not super dense and I think it will go fast. $50-60 dollars and you would be all set.

I saw these example on the Home Depot Web site.

 

[MSG C5]

I would think any jig saw will work. I think I have an old Black and Decker,
The base has a slot in it and you can buy an adjustable guide that slips into it that you can adjust for with. You can also get a blade set for a few bucks and try different types on a scrap or sample tile. Fewer bigger teeth cut faster but not as smooth and more smaller teeth slower cut but finer.
These tiles are not super dense and I think it will go fast. $50-60 dollars and you would be all set.

I saw these example on the Home Depot Web site.

Thanks for the information!