Drywall Knife: Drywall Hacksaw, Edging Tool And Tape Cutter For Gypsum Board, Blade Runner Cutting Product

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Drywall Knife: Drywall Hacksaw, Edging Tool And Tape Cutter For Gypsum Board, Blade Runner Cutting Product
Drywall Knife: Drywall Hacksaw, Edging Tool And Tape Cutter For Gypsum Board, Blade Runner Cutting Product

Video: Drywall Knife: Drywall Hacksaw, Edging Tool And Tape Cutter For Gypsum Board, Blade Runner Cutting Product

Video: Drywall Knife: Drywall Hacksaw, Edging Tool And Tape Cutter For Gypsum Board, Blade Runner Cutting Product
Video: Blade Runner - The professional's plasterboard cutter. 2024, March
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GCR processing is quite simple and can be carried out even without the use of special devices. However, knowing how to choose a drywall knife will be useful for every craftsman. An easy-to-use tool will greatly facilitate the process of cutting the material and will allow you to form an even edge.

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Basic requirements for the tool

Despite the fact that a sheet of drywall can be cut with a simple clerical knife, you should not neglect professional tools. The quality of cutting will depend on the selected device, namely the accuracy of the obtained dimensions and the evenness of the edge. For drywall sheets to cut easily, the blade of the tool must be fairly thin and at the same time strong.

It is most convenient to work with a special tool that is designed for cutting gypsum boards. The specialized knife has a more comfortable handle and a stronger blade.

When working with such a tool, you can control the pressure and make a very even cut line.

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All tools for cutting gypsum board can be roughly divided into two types: manual and electric. Another classification implies a division into universal and specialized devices. Unlike special tools for gypsum board, universal knives can be used not only for working with drywall, but also for cutting other materials.

Painting

A painting knife is also known as a wallpaper or clerical knife. This tool is widely used in repair work for cutting various materials. There are many varieties of stationery knives that differ in some characteristics.

For cutting gypsum board, tools with a blade width of 18 and 25 millimeters are a suitable option.

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Knives, which have a blade width of 18 millimeters, are available in three versions:

  • Standard. The cheapest model with a thin blade and weak body. With such a knife, you can only work in a small amount.
  • Reinforced. This modification of the clerical knife is more reliable than standard options.
  • Professional. This type of knives has a high price compared to other options due to the quality of the tool.
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When working with a wallpaper knife, a number of rules must be observed:

  • The blade from the body should be extended by no more than 10 millimeters. This is necessary for a better and smoother cut.
  • The thickness of the replaceable blades can vary from 0.3 to 0.6 millimeters. It is better to use options with a greater thickness.
  • The blade is replaced by removing the small cover on the back of the case.

Stationery knife models with a blade width of 25 millimeters have a stiffer blade than versions with an 18 millimeter blade. The body of such products is durable.

The handle is often quite massive, which makes working with the tool more convenient and safer.

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Special purpose

Trapezoidal blade knives belong to the category of special professional tools for working with drywall. Such tools have a comfortable shape and handle, which allows you to carry out large-scale work. The blade of the knife has a high stiffness. You can cut with a tool not only straight lines, but also curly lines. Depending on the brand, the price of trapezoidal knives can vary greatly.

It is worth noting that even inexpensive tools are of good quality.

Specialty drywall tools also include tape measure cutters. A measuring tape and a blade are built into the body of such a knife. Cutting tape allows you to cut drywall sheets without marking.

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With disc blade

Circular blades are great for cutting drywall in a straight line. With the help of this tool, it turns out to make high-precision cuts. The blade of the knife is quite strong and can withstand heavy loads, which allows you not to worry about the pressure when working.

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Disc plates are durable and do not require regular replacement.

Hacksaw

It is convenient to make curly holes in drywall sheets with a hand-held hacksaw with fine teeth. The drywall hacksaw blade is rather narrow, which allows you to cut holes in sheets already attached to the wall or ceiling. When cutting, a hacksaw allows you to get not quite even groove edges, which is a disadvantage of this tool.

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Disc cutter

The disc cutter consists of a body and working elements in the form of two discs, which are opposite each other. Because the discs cut through the plasterboard on both sides, the cutting quality is perfect.

This tool is only suitable for cutting thin, even stripes no more than 12 centimeters wide.

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Power tools

To cut drywall, electrical tools such as a jigsaw, electric hacksaw and reciprocating saws, a drill or screwdriver with a special attachment are used. Electric jigsaws cut through gypsum plasterboard well both in a straight line and in a curved line. Standard wood saws are suitable for cutting.

Reciprocating saws and electric hacksaws are ideal for cutting thick plasterboard sheets.

To make a hole for a power outlet or light switch, it is best to use a drill or screwdriver with a ring cutter attachment.

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Blade runner

The Blade Runner is not the cheapest tool for cutting drywall. However, this device has a number of significant advantages over other types of knives. The Blade Runner has two sharp blades that are magnetically held in the body. The blades cut the gypsum board from both sides at once, which allows you to get an even cut, while the operating time is significantly reduced.

The blades are completely hidden under the body, so it is absolutely safe to work with such a tool. Unlike the disc cutter, the Blade Runner can cut drywall in more than straight, narrow strips from the edge of the sheet. It is also possible to cut at an angle, cut out arched and curly elements.

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Cutting with the Blade Runner follows a guide line, which can be a pencil or tape measure. The line on the cutter must be aligned with the guide, and then draw the tool along the marking.

It should be noted that the tool has a slight drawback. When working with thin drywall sheets, the knives in the housing can hit each other and be damaged. To prevent breakage of the blades, when cutting thin sheets, the tool must be held with your fingers, not allowing the two parts of the body to close at the exit.

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Selection recommendations

When choosing a knife for cutting drywall sheets, it is necessary to take into account the volume of the planned work, as well as the complexity of the cuts created.

  • You can use a regular wallpaper knife to cut in a straight line. It is worth choosing options with a thicker and harder blade, otherwise it will often break. The disadvantage of a clerical knife is that the cut is not quite straight. The edges of the line segments will need to be aligned with other tools.
  • For working with drywall sheets, the most suitable tool will be special professional knives. Before buying a knife, it is advisable to hold the tool in your hands. The ease and quality of cutting will depend on how comfortable the handle of the device is.

It is best to use a fine-toothed hacksaw to punch holes for sockets or electrical appliances. It will be more convenient to use electric tools to create curved holes with smoother edges.

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How to cut the material?

It is not enough to have a good tool to make high-quality cutting of drywall. Much depends on the accuracy of the measurements and the cutting technique. Before proceeding with the main work, it is necessary to apply an accurate marking of the cut on the surface of the material. Using a tape measure, the segments of the required length are measured and guide lines are drawn with a pencil or a special marker.

The tool used must be checked before cutting. The body of the knife should not be damaged and the blade is well sharpened. If there are unnecessary drywall trimmings, the serviceability of the tool must be checked on them by making a small incision. When cutting gypsum boards, there is no need to rush. Movements should be as smooth and slow as possible.

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It should be borne in mind that it is not always possible to make a perfectly straight cut. Often, cut elements need additional processing. Therefore, in addition to the knife, you should have an additional tool at hand: an edge plane and a scraper-plane. An edge planer is necessary for chamfering from the end part of gypsum plasterboard sheets, which greatly simplifies the joining and sealing of gypsum board joints. The scraper plane is used to level the edge.

For information on how to properly cut drywall with a painting knife, see below.

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