How do i cut this rubber??????????????

[mike93lx]

An O/A torch. Yeah, definitely.

 

[sberry]

Utility knife. Score it then lat it over a 2x2 so the cut wants to spread open, a little lube wouldn't hurt but not sure it's needed and cut a couple passes.
I havnt cut inch but lots of 1/2 and less for mud flaps, 2 passes for 1/2 and it's fast.

 

[bullnerd]

Still don't know the quantity, which pretty much determines the process.

 

[tonyciambrone]

I would try a good plunge cut blade on an oscillating tool

OR

Grind the teeth down on a jigsaw blade and make a knife edge

No experience whatsoever- just looking at what other people online do

 

[Dustball]

I've cut horse stall mats with a utility knife blade and it wasn't that bad to do. Lay it on a flat surface and use a straight edge to run a sharp blade down the piece to get the initial score. Then position it over a surface where one side of the cut can droop and run the sharp utility knife blade over the cut a few times until you're through.

 

[BillK]

Clik,
We have a tumbler that we put things in after steel shot blasting to get all of the shot out. It is lined with 1" thick conveyor belt material. I have had to reline it at least three times and each time I used a utility knife. Was not bad at all.

That being said if you are cutting a bunch of the strips there might be a faster / better method.

 

[AJ.]

I used to work in a quarry, I have cut a LOT of conveyor belt, some cuts 100'+ trimming the width of belts. I have cut thick, thin, short long and tried many different tools and techniques.

In my experience nothing comes close to being as quick, easy and accurate as a razor sharp knife. Here we would call the knife a Stanley knife, you yanks probably call it a utility knife.

Cheers Andrew

 

[sberry]

Yes, concur again,,, actually having done it too.

I've cut horse stall mats with a utility knife blade and it wasn't that bad to do. Lay it on a flat surface and use a straight edge to run a sharp blade down the piece to get the initial score. Then position it over a surface where one side of the cut can droop and run the sharp utility knife blade over the cut a few times until you're through.

Here we would call the knife a Stanley knife, you yanks probably call it a utility knife.

 

[dr_clyde]

I would want more details if I was quoting this, but here's my suggestions.

I don't know your tolerance, budget, end use, type of rubber, allowable taper, edge finish, ect.

That said, I have cut a fair amount of rubber. A good friend of mine makes conveyor belting components in his machine shop. They cut the thin stuff with a razor knife. Anything thicker goes on the waterjet.

For thin-ish rubber, I use a sheet metal shear. Works great up to about 1/4". Never tried it on 1", finding a shear that size will be challenging.

If I was doing this job, I would hire it out to a waterjet shop. The cuts will be straight, on size, and clean with no funky edges.

 

[BADSIX]

I've used a utility knife and a jig saw both, but use liquid dish soap as a lube much better than a petroleum base lube. I can't imagine using a lube with a band saw I would think it would let the blade slip on the drive wheel.
Jay D.

 

[Falcon67]

I've cut horse stall mats with a utility knife blade and it wasn't that bad to do. Lay it on a flat surface and use a straight edge to run a sharp blade down the piece to get the initial score. Then position it over a surface where one side of the cut can droop and run the sharp utility knife blade over the cut a few times until you're through.

This is the ONLY way to cut a stall blanket. Band saw - no. Circular saw - not even. Jigsaw - don't even try. Multiple passes with a sharp utility knife to start, then bend about the cut to proceed. I'd imagine a conveyor belt to be similar.

 

[metalmagpie]

This is the ONLY way to cut a stall blanket. Band saw - no. Circular saw - not even. Jigsaw - don't even try. Multiple passes with a sharp utility knife to start, then bend about the cut to proceed. I'd imagine a conveyor belt to be similar.

Stall blanket, huh? Interesting terminology - I'll have to put that in my Texan-English dictionary.

Gee, I must be dumb as hell because I put a simple little wavy blade in my jigsaw (see below) and I can cut through 1" rubber easily.

metalmagpie

 

[metalmagpie]

Jigsaw with a metal cutting blade.

I had a lot better luck with a blade that looked like this: - metalmagpie

 

[iajonesy]

I have cut that material in the past on a large metal shear. A large metal supplier should be able to do that for you for so much per cut.

Mike

 

[bullnerd]

Still don't know the quantity.

 

[Clik]

OK, I found an easy way to do it. I told my buddy that it couldn't be done with a razor knife, knowing that he'd have to prove me wrong. That was easy! Job done. Ha! Ha!

 

[Dragfluid]

Damn, 3 pages worth?

I just always put a tiny hole on the end with a needle.

 

[Jazz1]

I always use a knife. Technique helps. Not me>>>

 

[TomC750]

Plain rubber of any thickness cuts well under water, even with a sharp butcher knife.

 

[Dragfluid]

This guy could probably cut it very easily.
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/samurai-tv-repairman/3008113?snl=1

 

[sberry]

OK, I found an easy way to do it. I told my buddy that it couldn't be done with a razor knife, knowing that he'd have to prove me wrong. That was easy! Job done. Ha! Ha!

Who woulda thunk it?
I got to admit,,,, there are some ideas here that would never have occurred to me.