How to cut drywall at home with a knife. How and how to cut drywall correctly at home. Cutting a rectangular hole

Industrial output drywall started in 1917 in the UK. However, a new building material was invented by a US resident. August Sackett was granted a patent back in 1894. The American fastened 10 sheets of paper with powdered plaster.

The result was a slab 5 millimeters wide. U modern drywall the width is at least 1.5 millimeters larger, and only if the core is reinforced with fiberglass.

Standard sheets rise 10-13 millimeters. The question arises of how to cut such thickness, because in work drywall often has to be adjusted to fit the frame. We will describe several ways to divide slabs.

Cutting drywall with an electric jigsaw

A jigsaw is a tool with a reciprocating saw motion. Simply put, we are talking about a miniature variety electric saw. When working with drywall, it allows you to:

Make curved cuts

Holes inside the sheet

Maximum precision edges without jagged edges or contour changes

Cutting drywall with a jigsaw

Jigsaw cutting drywall along a predetermined contour. Since plaster dust will be knocked out from under the blade, we make outlines with a black marker. It can also be seen under the whitish sediments.

Mark the sheets on the back side. However, drywall is only the basis of structures, which is then covered with tiles, wallpaper, and plaster. Therefore, the marking side is not important. Let's get started:

Place the gypsum sheet on stools or bricks, leaving the space below the cutting line free. Also, there should be no tension on the cutting line. Its tearing forces will degrade the quality of the cut. Drywall is supported on a base due to the flexibility of the material. Without support, the sheet may break under pressure in unexpected places.
We install the jigsaw at the start of the cutting line or bring the drywall to the tool’s stand, because it can be not only autonomous, but also stationary. Also, a number of jigsaws have a laser sight. It helps “to follow the markings exactly. If you work in twilight, backlighting will help out. Not all jigsaws have it either.
All that remains is to turn on the jigsaw and smoothly move along the markings.
Finally we will process the edges sandpaper or with a plane or file.

Understand how to cut drywall with a jigsaw It's only worth it if you have the tools. The simplest models cost from 1,100 rubles. If the expenses are unjustified or you don’t have an already purchased jigsaw at hand, figure cuts are made...

How to cut drywall simply and easily

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Cutting drywall with a hacksaw

A hacksaw is also a type of saw, but it’s manual. The tool usually costs several hundred rubles. The blade of a hacksaw varies. You need something smooth with fine teeth. This is a hacksaw for metal.

Cutting drywall with a hacksaw

When working with drywall, it gives the most even cut. The thinness of the saw blade allows it to easily bend inside the sheet, passing exactly along the curved markings. Let's start the process:

Mark the drywall and use a drill or knife to make holes in its corners for the hacksaw blade to enter.
Inserting a hacksaw into the slot and sawing to the opposite point.
Processing the edges of the cut with improvised means.

Which side to cut drywall from? with a hacksaw it doesn’t matter, but in what place it’s important. When cutting a sheet from the edge, the tool produces a smooth, neat line, although it requires considerable time. The hacksaw produces uneven through holes on the plasterboard sheet. Here it is better to use a jigsaw.

Cutting drywall with a mounting knife

The mounting knife has replaceable blades. There are blades for cutting different materials, the protrusion of the metal part beyond the handle is adjusted. There are the same stationery models, but they are low-power for working with drywall.

You can even cut drywall with a utility knife.

A mounting knife costs from several hundred rubles. The tool is good when it is solved how to cut drywall at home in a straight line. Curly lines with a mounting knife are obtained anyhow. Let's get started:

We draw drywall according to pre-made marks.
We attach a steel profile for drywall or a metal ruler to one side of the marking. They will prevent the knife from moving to the side while cutting.
We place the blade to the edge of the marking and move along it with a pressure of about 3 kilograms.

The knife should not pass through the sheet. Correctly cutting drywall- this is to guide the blade with a recess of about half a centimeter. The rest will break along the line when we bend the panel with our hands.

The cut should be at the top. To bend the drywall you will need to support it. You can simply place the sheet on the floor, or you can put it on chairs or the edge of the table.

The nuances of cutting drywall depending on its type

Drywall sheets can be specialized, for example, waterproof. The paper on these is impregnated with polymers. They close the pores in the cardboard, making it resistant to moisture and reliable protection for the compressed gypsum powder inside.

However, the edges of even waterproof plasterboard are not protected. Accordingly, the workplace should not be wet. Once in the gypsum, water will cause it to swell and change the geometry of the building sheet.

Arched drywall

Arched plasterboard stands separately. It is as thin as possible, only 6.5 millimeters thick. It would seem that such a sheet would be easier to cut than a centimeter sheet. However, fiberglass is laid inside the arched panel.

It reinforces drywall and gives the flexibility necessary to deform the sheet intended for curved doorways and ceilings.

Because of the fiberglass inside, the arched material is more difficult to cut simple drywall. It's better to use a power tool. A mounting knife or hand saw “goes hard.

General rules for cutting drywall

Microparticles of gypsum inside the cardboard cover are light and volatile. Breaking out from under the paper during cutting, the mineral suspension rushes into the air, getting into the eyes, settling in the respiratory tract. Therefore, it is advisable to wear a protective mask.

It is recommended to lay on the floor under the fabric to be cut plastic film, lightly sprinkling with water from a spray bottle. Moisture will help the gypsum particles flying from above to swell, become heavier and fall onto the polyethylene. At the end of the work, it remains to be rolled up and thrown away. Particularly thrifty people wash the film in the bathroom, dry it and reuse it.

If gypsum dust settles directly on the floor, washing off the powder will be problematic. There will be divorces. If there is a porous coating on the floor, such as matte porcelain stoneware, gypsum particles will clog into it.

A solution of warm water with sunflower oil at the rate of half a glass of product per 10 liters. Afterwards, the floors are wiped with a vinegar solution.

The method is not suitable for glossy surfaces. There it is better to make do with a solution of potassium permanganate. It is added to warm water until it turns light pink.

Cutting a profile for drywall

Since work has begun with the hero of the article, the question is also relevant: how to cut a profile for drywall. It is used to create a frame for paper-mineral sheets.

They are attached to the profile with self-tapping screws. Accordingly, drywall covers the profile base. There is no need to focus on the accuracy of cutting steel rods. Their ugliness will be hidden by sheets.

You can cut the profile with metal scissors

To cut a profile for drywall, use 3 tools:

Metal scissors. They are good for cutting sheet steel. Working with U-shaped profiles for gypsum sheets is inconvenient, but profitable. Manual option a tool that resembles wire cutters costs between 200 rubles. Also, the inconvenience of working with scissors is smoothed out by their independence from the mains and noiselessness.

Jigsaw. Cuts neatly and quickly. It is convenient to work with the tool only when the profile is firmly fixed. It is made of thin steel. If she walks under the jigsaw blade, the cut will turn out uneven.

Miniature grinder. When working with an angle grinder, the profile is placed on a bend. In other words, the part to be cut should hang above the air and bend downward under its own weight as it is cut. The rest of the profile rests on a chair or table.

The ease of handling a power tool is overshadowed by the noise emanating from it. However, you can wear headphones. Of the mandatory protective equipment, it is worth mentioning glasses.

Cutting the profile with a small grinder

Chips may fly off the steel being processed. It can get into your eyes, damaging them. Such pieces of metal are called scale and are removed in emergency rooms.

Danger of profile cutting electric tool consists not only of damage to human health, but also to the decoration of the apartment. Hot shavings fly off the steel.

We bend and cut drywall with improvised tools at home

Drywall is widely used for the manufacture of structures such as ceilings, partitions, and various shelves. But, since gypsum board sheets have standard sizes, they have to be cut.

It’s not difficult to mark a sheet, but how to cut it correctly so as not to spoil it, since the core of the sheet is, after all, gypsum, which is highly fragile? What if you need to make an arch or some other curved structure? Is it possible to bend drywall? And, if so, how?

No need to worry. All these questions have long been answered. It is possible to successfully cut and bend drywall. Our task is to figure out how and how to do this correctly.

How to cut drywall

Unlike professional builders and repairmen who use a wide variety of tools have to use improvised means at home. But the person taking on the repair usually already has everything necessary for the job. Moreover, no special devices are needed.

The following tools can be used to cut plasterboard:

A ruler, tape measure, and pencil are necessary for accurate measurements and markings of the sheet. To mark small holes you may need a compass, and for large arcs you will need a piece of rope with a pencil attached to one end (an improvised compass that can be used to mark an arc of any radius).

A construction knife (or a stationery knife, if it is durable). This universal tool, and the only replaceable part in it is the blade. Stock up on replacement blades in advance so that you don’t have to go to the store in the middle of work.
Jigsaw - it is usually used for cutting wood and wood boards, but it is also suitable for drywall, you just have to install a metal blade (it has more fine teeth and cuts gypsum board better). With a jigsaw you can make not only straight cuts, but also curly ones.
Planer - it is not used for cutting sheets, but for subsequent processing of their edges. It is necessary to chamfer the cuts - this will allow the joints of the sheets to be properly sealed after installation of the structure.
Hacksaw for drywall - you can do without it, but with it some operations can be completed faster. This hacksaw resembles a saw knife with a rather narrow blade and jagged edges. The knife blade is made of high-strength steel and is soldered into the handle and allows you to make any cuts (straight and curved) without special effort. The knife is very convenient. If you buy such a tool, you can subsequently use it for cutting small pieces of wood.
An electric drill or cutter with various attachments will make it easy to cut round holes of various diameters in the slab.

We cut plasterboard in a straight line

We note right away that to reduce material waste, you need to take very accurate measurements of the room and use as many whole slabs as possible during installation.

Drywall should only be cut in cases where there are no other options.

Therefore, you need to create a plan in advance for laying out the sheets on the surface, and outline the places where the sheets will be needed non-standard sizes and forms.

Professionals easily cut gypsum boards both on the floor and leaning them against the wall. But if you have not had to do this before, then it is better to place the sheet on the floor face up - this is where the cut will be made.

The front side can be easily distinguished from the back:

sheet markings are usually located on the back side;
the front side and side edges of the sheets usually have the same color;
The chemical composition of the front side is different; the facing cardboard contains more cellulose, which reduces the consumption of finishing materials.

The slab is cut as follows:

Press the ruler firmly against the marked line and run the knife along it several times.
The knife must be held confidently, avoiding jerks, cutting through the layer of paper and slightly grabbing the plaster. Make sure that the ruler does not move.
After this, the slab is broken along the cut, bending it in the opposite direction to the cut.
Then, using a construction knife, you need to cut through the cardboard layer on the other side. If the slab is broken correctly, then there will be no problems at this stage.
Attach the prepared sheet to the installation site in order to check the accuracy of the cut. If the size is a little large, then the excess can be removed using a rasp (but this will create a large number of gypsum dust).
Process the cuts with a plane, chamfering them.

How to cut round and rectangular holes

Very often you need to make holes in the sheet for pipes, sockets or switches.

To do this, you need to mark their locations on the sheet using a tape measure.

Rectangular holes:

Accurately measure the distance of the edges of the hole from both sides of the sheet, as well as from the top and bottom. Draw the outline of the cutout.
Next, using a drill with a thick drill bit, you need to make 4 holes on the sides of the marked rectangle - the jigsaw file should go through them. They should be located inside the rectangle as close as possible to the cutting lines.
Insert the saw into each of the holes one by one and cut through the opening. You need to work extremely carefully, strictly along the drawn lines.
Once you have the hole, check how well the switch or outlet box fits into it.
If necessary, finish the edges with a rasp.

Round holes:

For this purpose, you can use a small drill or hacksaw attachment.
Mark the center of the future hole on the sheet.
Attach the required size bit to the drill chuck.
The crown drill must be placed in the center of the hole and drilled, pressing gently on the drill (if you press hard, the nozzle may get stuck in the plaster). It is better to use the average speed of the tool for this.

If you don’t have a drill and nozzles, you can make a round hole with a knife, but it’s not so convenient.

Using a knife we make a hole like this:

Draw the outlines of the future hole on both sides of the sheet (and do not make a mistake).
Then use a knife to cut through the cardboard layer on both sides.
After this, you need to lightly tap the plaster with a hammer, knocking it out.
Check how well the box or pipe fits into the resulting hole.

Any curved shapes with smooth lines are cut out according to the markings using a jigsaw. If you don’t have one, you can use a hacksaw for metal, but this is very inconvenient.

How to bend drywall

In order to mount arched structures above doorways or niches, you need to somehow bend the drywall so that it does not break.

For these purposes, plasterboard manufacturers produce special gypsum board sheets (arched), which are 6.5 mm thick and are easily deformed.

This material is somewhat more expensive than usual. For its installation, special arched profiles, equipped with cutouts on the side walls. Thanks to these cutouts, the profile can be easily bent as required, and then a flexible sheet can be secured in it.

Since the thickness of the flexible sheet is small, to strengthen the structure you need to use two layers of plasterboard: the rough layer is made from a regular sheet, and the front layer is made from an arched one.

But if you were unable to buy plasterboard, then there are ways to bend ordinary wall plasterboard. For different situations used different technologies impact on the leaf.

If you need to get only a slight bend, then you can do it like this:

The prepared plasterboard blank is moistened with water on one side using a roller or brush.
It is left for 10-15 minutes so that the water is absorbed into the gypsum layer.
After this, the sheet is screwed in the intended place. Do this carefully so as not to damage the water-weakened material.
After the water evaporates, the material regains its original strength and at the same time holds its given shape well.

If the bending radius of the sheet is small enough, then you can bend it like this:

I process the sheet on one side with a needle roller.
Then, using a sponge, soak it in water for an hour. Make sure that the paper on the back of the sheet does not get wet, otherwise it may tear when folded.
Then they carefully bend it using a template and fix the ends of the sheet with clamps.
The structure is left in this form until completely dry.

If a roller with needles is not at hand, then you can use another option (dry bending):

Instead, a knife is used to make cuts on the sheet, placing them in a direction perpendicular to the bend line.
The distance between cuts should be 10-50 mm. The more frequent the cuts, the smaller the bend radius.
The side on which the cuts are made should always be inside the bend.

Thus, having previously studied all the methods of cutting and bending gypsum boards, choose the most suitable one for yourself and act exactly according to the technology.

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How to cut drywall exactly the morning after celebrating your godfather’s birthday: completing 4 main tasks

How to cut drywall at home after a hectic holiday? After all, most often renovation work falls on Saturday, the first day off, preceded by what? That's right, Friday! The second day off, however, is no better, because before it is Saturday evening. It is on these days that birthdays are celebrated, weddings take place and “corporate parties” are held, after which a difficult morning begins.

And even if such a fate never befalls you, it is better to be prepared for any vicissitudes of fate, being able to masterfully cope with sharp gypsum boards in any condition with the most different instruments. Such skills will not be wasted. So we simulate the situation, get used to the role and get started.

Let's get down to business no matter what

No matter how bad you feel, if you are already starting to manipulate gypsum boards, then you must remember that they are gypsum boards wrapped with cardboard on both sides, this is what you should start from when choosing tools and cutting methods.

Typically, when working with plasterboard sheets, you may encounter four different tasks when cutting them, so I’ll look at them:

Task No. 1: make an even, straight cut

Your head hurts, your mouth is dry, and you're frantically remembering how to properly cut drywall in a straight line. This is not difficult, in such cases I make do with the following tools:

As you can see, even if you are missing something, it is easy to buy, the price of all the listed tools is low.

The instructions for further work look like this:

Despite the depressed state, every effort must be made to take accurate measurements of sections to be cut into plasterboard sheet, and since they are always sold in the form of large rectangular sections, cutting will almost certainly be required;
After that transfer the received data to both edges of the gypsum board itself using a pencil and tape measure. Connect the given marks by attaching a rule to them;

Now confidently apply the rule to the drawn line with one hand, and with the other use a stationery knife to move it along with pressure. Even if your hands shake, which, unfortunately, is quite possible in the simulated situation, the tool should not jump anywhere thanks to the guide bar;

Next, the gypsum board is placed on a stack of still unused samples or simply on wooden block so that the cut part of the cardboard is in the air. The hanging part is subjected to several blows, pressure and breaks, after which all that remains is to turn the object over, cut through the paper on the other side and finish separating the fragments;

But I wouldn’t trust my “breaking” abilities much in this state. Therefore, I recommend first cutting the cardboard on both sides, driving the knife blade as deep as possible, and only then breaking the product with light taps. This approach allows you not only to achieve with a headache quality results, but also do this even with very small pieces.

Now all that remains is process the resulting edge with a plane or, if it is too thin, with a file. That is, the main thing is that the tool matches the cutting height.

Task #2: Cut a rectangular hole

Now let's look at how to cut drywall at home at right angles. Here you will need a slightly different, wider range of tools:

Which side should I cut drywall with a hacksaw? From the back, so apply the markings there. To do this, use the same pencil, tape measure and rule;
Place the sheet like this so that there is nothing under the marked area, that is, for example, on two chairs or tables;
Now comes the most difficult thing for a sore head: drilling. Choose a drill so that its diameter matches the width hacksaw blade, then make neat holes in the corners of the drawn rectangle;

If you drink Citramon and calm your head, you can make holes around the entire perimeter, which will greatly simplify the cutting process itself.

Carefully, trying not to break the plaster, insert the hacksaw into the resulting opening and make a cut along the drawn line to the next corner, turn the blade there and continue working. Try to hold the instrument level, which, of course, after a fun evening will not be easy to do;

The final step is also finishing the ends.

Task No. 3: create a wavy cut

How to cut drywall according to shaped markings? Here you will need a special tool in the form of an electric jigsaw. It makes sense to buy it, even if you are definitely not going to work with gypsum board in the near future, since it is also useful when cutting wood, chipboard, MDF and even metal.

At the same time, it is easy to use: no effort is needed, and even trembling in the hands is compensated by the special sole, which sets the file exactly at an angle of 90 degrees.

There are no special saws for drywall on sale, so I recommend using blades for metal. They have the smallest teeth, which makes the cut perfectly even and smooth.

Work progress in in this case is quite simple and looks like this:

Apply the markings. If the noise in your head interferes with drawing the necessary smooth lines, then it is better to ask someone who was not at yesterday’s party to do this, since the rule will not help in this case;
Install the plasterboard as in the previous case, although if the part to be cut is small, then you can simply hang it from the table or a stack of unused sections. Just remember to hold the sheet then free hand so that it does not wobble, interfering with making an even cut;
Bring the blade to the beginning of the intended pattern, turn on the device and carefully slowly move it along the line, turning in the right places;

The process of cutting the plaster part with a jigsaw is accompanied by an abundance of rising dust. Therefore, I recommend putting on a respirator and safety glasses in advance to protect your eyes and respiratory organs from it.

When finished, inspect the edges; it is likely that they will not even need to be further aligned.

A jigsaw can give a wide variety of shapes to the section being processed, including a large circle. But for a small circle you will need a different approach, described below.

Task #4: create a round hole

Small perfect through circles in drywall are required for installation lighting fixtures. And they are also difficult to make without special equipment, which consists of a drill and a metal bit.

Well, let's get started:

Draw a cross using a rule and a pencil in the place where an opening is needed, then select a nozzle of the required diameter and install it on the drill;
Place the sheet on two reliable supports. Although the described task can be carried out in general after the installation of gypsum boards on;
Place the tip of the drill protruding from the crown towards the center of the drawn cross, and start drilling at low speed. There is nowhere to rush, and your head will hurt less from leisurely drilling;

The edges of the cut circle are rarely processed with a file, since in the future they are still covered by the lamp shade.

If there is no suitable crown and it is not possible to purchase or use it, then you can go a more “barbaric” route:

Place a compass in the center of the drawn cross and draw a circle of the required diameter with it. If you don’t have even such simple props, use a glass or cup;
Drill many holes along the marked line and knock out a plasterboard circle. This is where you may still need to process the edges, as they may end up with a lot of jagged edges.

Conclusion

Now you can calmly relax on Friday and Saturday evenings, confidently knowing that in the morning, despite the deplorable condition, you will still be able to make a drywall cut of any complexity. The main thing is to be able to show the necessary concentration at the right moments and strictly follow the instructions given above. Remember, someone, following them, has already done everything successfully before you and with worse health.

In the video in this article you can find a number of additional information, which is directly related to the presented materials.

If you have any questions on the topic, please ask them in the comments.

October 1, 2016

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When performing repairs, it is often necessary to level and adjust building materials a certain shape with your own hands. Since cutting drywall at home is very simple, you don’t have to turn to professionals for help or use special tools.

Available means

A sheet of drywall under an arch can be easily cut using a simple stationery knife. Of course, this is quite painstaking work, because... thin blade It is much more difficult to work with than, say, a massive hacksaw, but everything can be done neatly and quickly enough. Step-by-step instruction:

But it is much easier to cut the sheets into a semicircle or any other shape using a special construction knife. It is an almost exact copy of the stationery one, with the exception of a thicker blade and a more comfortable handle. The seam after it is smooth and neat, and there are significantly fewer rough spots. The principle of operation is the same - first mark the desired shape, then make a test cut, and then cut out a certain shape.

Photo - cutting with a construction knife

It often happens that a plasterboard sheet needs to be cut after installation on the wall. For example, cut a recess for a lamp, switch, socket or niche. For this by professional craftsmen Only knives and hacksaws are used. They provide excellent result, without damaging the wall material. How to cut cardboard on a wall:

Depending on the type of hole, work will likely need to be done special tool. Builders recommend for minor works take hacksaws for metal. They have thin ends that can easily make even the smallest hole in a plaster partition;
Before making a hole, you need to make sure that the profile will not be touched during the work. Otherwise, the entire supporting system will be damaged. To do this, you need to use the sheet installation plan, on which the locations of the racks and guides are marked;
Mark the location of the future hole on the wall and carefully trim it with a knife to form a small recess. It will be needed so that the sharp hacksaw does not jump to the side during processing;
Carefully insert the hacksaw into the cardboard and guide it along the specified contour. Strictly ensure that its nose does not go to the side. If it turns out uneven, you will have to increase the diameter of the hole.

You can do the same thing if you need to cut a wall into waves or create decorative patterns on the surface of the material. After the hacksaw, you need to sand the seams and prime them. The primer will eliminate nicks and small irregularities. Next, the seam is puttied and can be subject to further processing.

Photo - hacksaw for drywall

Video: how to cut drywall

Working with special tools

Any video indicates that if you need to cut it correctly moisture resistant drywall, it is better to use power tools. The simplest and affordable option- This electric jigsaw. It allows you to cut the sheet curved, with clear edges or to fit a pattern. The main thing is to observe safety precautions when working, and before using the device, check the location of the wiring under the covering (if the cardboard is already on the wall). Step-by-step instructions on how to use a jigsaw:

To avoid breaking the jigsaw and cardboard sheet, do not press on the surface to be processed. Also, you should not stay in one place for a long time; unlike a hacksaw, this can make too deep a cut and ruin the pattern.

Photo - a circular saw

If you need to cut several sheets of drywall for the ceiling or walls, then use a circular saw. It allows you to process from two to five materials at a time. The disadvantage is the high cost of the equipment (unless, of course, such a device was purchased earlier) and the dustiness of the work.

You need to install drywall on the table, you can only cut it on special surface so as not to damage the material and working tools;
Put it on protective equipment: mask, suit and gloves. When cutting, sawdust and plaster particles will fly, which can cause harm if they come into contact with the skin or eyes;
Now you need to draw out the cardboard. Make an oval, round or any other shaped hole with a knife (depth no more than 4 mm);
Additionally, draw a marker over the designated area (only from the inside);
Turn on the saw and carefully start cutting the cardboard onto the tool along the marked lines. You need to be careful not to press on the sheets so as not to break them. This is the fastest option of all presented; it can be used to cut any big hole in drywall - under a hatch, a chandelier, a radiator under a window.