Secrets of working with PVC panels: what is the best way to cut and how to do it? Cutting thick plastic How to cut plastic evenly at home.

PVC panels are easy to cut. But this matter has its own subtleties. In this article we will tell you how and with what to cut plastic (wall) products.

Let's start with the main point - plastic panels can be cut lengthwise and crosswise. It depends on this what is better to cut the panel in a particular case. This can be done with the following tools.

Molar knife

The simplest tool for cutting PVC. But for an unusual kitchen or shoemaker, all you need is a molar knife.

Its blade, while new, is very thin and sharp. And when it gets dull, the blade can be replaced instantly. By biting off a piece or inserting a new one. An ordinary knife is inconvenient and cannot be sharpened quickly. Also, it won't be as thin.

The molar knife is limited in its capabilities. You can only cut the panel lengthwise with it. Of course, you can try to make a cut across. But nothing good will come of this.

How to cut panels lengthwise? This is difficult to explain within the scope of this article. However, the basic principle can be described.

The blade extends a short distance of 3 mm.

WITH back side panels, select the place where the cut will be made.

Then we cut out a strip, from edge to edge (we are talking about the internal edges of the panel). A cut is made near the rib, then another cut is made near the adjacent one. We make cuts along the entire length.

A strip of plastic falls out and a groove forms.

Then, on the same back side, you need to make a shallow incision near the desired rib. And break the body over it.

The molar knife has the advantages of being fast, quiet and simple. Its disadvantages are that the panels can only be cut lengthwise.

Jigsaw

This tool can be called the main one. A jigsaw is good for everyone and has a minimum of disadvantages. Panels can be cut lengthwise and crosswise. You can cut shapes with ovals and other broken things.

The jigsaw has a special feature. It tears the edge of the panel in places where there is very little to cut. At this time, very often the panels burst (especially in cold weather).

Therefore, it is worth using a file with a minimum tooth. For ourselves, we chose a Bosch metal blade with a 0.8 mm tooth. This file will protect you as much as possible from a torn cut.

If the jigsaw operates at high speeds, you can cut with such a file very quickly. This file for metal, from cutting plastic products she doesn't get dumb.

The main advantage of a jigsaw is its versatility. You can cut PVC panels lengthwise and crosswise. In any spatial position.

The downside of a jigsaw is its weight and the presence of a wire. If the blade is chosen incorrectly, the cut will be torn.

There is one secret

When you have to prepare a lot of sticks, frame size. For example, you need to cut 20-30 pieces at once.

And so as not to cut one thing each time, but to increase the speed. You can resort to one secret.

You will need clamps (presses) as in our photo. Take several at once, usually 5 pieces. Adjust them so that they do not stick out from each other and clamp them with presses. Two pieces on each side of the panel.

And cut quietly. In this way you can cut up to 5 panels at a time. You can cut more, but Bosch file does not provide such an opportunity.

You will speed up the cutting process five times and make your work easier.

Grinder (angle grinder)

Not every grinder is suitable for cutting panels. It should be small so that you can easily hold it with one hand. You won't be able to use a large grinder.

The thinnest disc of 0.8 mm, 1 mm or a maximum of 1.2 mm is installed in the grinder. The disk used is a regular one for metal.

Bulgarian gives amazing smooth cut, without nicks and, as people say, “snot”.

The grinder does not tear plastic. It doesn't matter what part of the panel you cut and in what weather. Both in cold weather and in hot weather - using a grinder, you will get an even cut.

Using a grinder, you can cut literally millimeters from a wall panel.

The disadvantages include the fact that it is heavier than a jigsaw, and even more so a knife. But the biggest disadvantage is that the grinder produces a lot of fine dust. It gets everywhere.

Universal cutter

The universal cutter is called by different names. It has many manufacturers. When we bought our tools, one of the leading manufacturers was Bosch.

The tool is not cheap. But once you buy it, you won’t be able to get by with anything else.

The cutter, unlike all other tools, makes oscillatory movements.

We mainly use two main types of files: wide - 25mm*40mm and narrow 10mm*20mm.

Very often during installation, you need to cut the PVC panel in place. Often this can only be done with a Bosch cutter. It is impossible to get into difficult places with any other tool.

The cutter greatly simplifies the work and speeds it up. Wall products can be cut lengthwise and crosswise. You can even cut off the top or bottom layer of the panel.

Let's talk about the cons. The price of the tool and its consumables is off the charts. For example, a file for a jigsaw will cost 100 rubles, and a file for a cutter will cost 800 rubles. Files quickly become unusable.

Surface cladding PVC panels- a finishing method that many people choose today as the most optimal. After all, it is fast, simple and relatively inexpensive.

But during the work, the question always arises: how to cut PVC panels? There are several possible methods, after considering which you can choose the most suitable option for yourself.

What are they made of?

It is important to note that a hacksaw for metal is best suited for cutting panels, and if you use a tool for wood, the blade should have fine teeth for cross-cutting.

Knives

There are several options here:

How to cut PVC panels correctly?

To obtain high-quality cutting results should be observed certain rules . Among them there are both general instructions, as well as recommendations for working with a specific tool:

1. It is unacceptable to work with, which was brought in from the cold - it must be warmed before cutting. Cooled PVC becomes brittle, which leads to chipping along the cut edge.
2. Cut Wall panels should only be done from the front side. Otherwise, the profile will become wrinkled, and difficulties may arise during the installation process.
3. Using a grinder, jigsaw or hacksaw allows you to cut a stack of panels at once.

In this case, they need to be laid on two supports so that they do not sag, and the uncut edge must be rested against - this will prevent the panels from moving during cutting.

When using power tools, it is advisable to wear safety glasses, since the likelihood of getting splinters in the face during operation is quite high.

4. When working with a knife, you should use a guide on which the tool will rest during cutting.

This, as already said, may be square or wooden slats . The guide is applied to the cut line, the panel is cut and cracked, after which the material is trimmed from the back side.

That's all. The main methods of cutting PVC panels have been discussed and all that remains is to decide on the most optimal option, the choice of which depends on the personal preferences and capabilities of the master himself.

For a convenient way to cut PVC panels with a hacksaw, see the video below:

Typically fast and inexpensive repair, however, high-quality, cannot do without plastic panels. They have a number of advantages that make them an indispensable material for repairs. Most often used in rooms such as bathrooms, toilets and balconies.

Among the most important advantages are the fact that they are completely waterproof, do not burn well, and are low cost. That is why they are widely used in bathrooms and toilets, in order to hide plumbing fixtures. In production repair work With your own hands, the question often arises: how and how to cut plastic panels at home. Fortunately, installation technology of this material quite easy and does not require additional preliminary preparation.

The first stage is cutting. You must be extremely careful, as the final appearance of the work depends on this. Cutting is carried out strictly according to the right size, without allowing allowance, since the material is hard.

The time spent at this stage depends on the complexity of the upcoming repair. It is necessary to understand that simple finishing panels of a flat surface will be faster than finishing surfaces with various protrusions and architectural elements.

Although this material is tough, it is quite easy to process.

How to cut PVC panels

You can perform this operation with many tools, but the most common solution is different kinds hacksaws: for wood, metal. We recommend paying attention to Vira brand hacksaws; they are ideal in terms of price/quality ratio. The most popular because it significantly saves time; if you need to prepare several panels of the same size, you can cut several pieces at once. The cut is made strictly with the front side of the panel up, holding it slightly at an angle. It is recommended to clamp the panel for stability, but under no circumstances should you squeeze it too hard.

In the case of a hacksaw for wood, it is recommended to use cross-cut or mixed sawing teeth. The thing is that they leave a very smooth, jagged-free cut, after which most often no additional processing of the sawn surface is required.

However, how to cut a PVC panel if you don’t have a hacksaw? It is quite possible to use an electric jigsaw. However, in this case, you should carefully control the pressure force so as not to break the panel.

And if there is absolutely nothing at hand, and the work needs to be done right now, how to cut off the plastic panel? You can use a knife, preferably a special construction knife, but in the absence of one, a very sharp household knife will do. hunting knife. An ordinary stationery knife will also work well, but you need to cut very carefully, as it is quite fragile and sharp. In this case, it is necessary to mark a line on the panel along which the cut is supposed to be made. Then, using a ruler (if the line should be straight), a deep incision is made stationery knife strictly along the line, after which the panel breaks. If the line must have bends, it should not be broken under any circumstances, as the panel will simply break and the material will be damaged.

How do professionals cut wall panels? There is no definite answer, since depending on the type of plastic and panel and the work to be done, one or another tool is selected. For example, it is easiest to cut in a straight line with a hacksaw, but it is better to cut curves electric jigsaw, or if it is not there, with a construction knife.

General rules for cutting panels

There is a general set of rules that must be followed in order to achieve acceptable quality of work. You need to know that when sub-zero temperature the plastic becomes brittle and you can’t work with it, since you won’t be able to cut anything out of it, it will simply break. If it was lying somewhere on the street or in a warehouse, it must first be warmed up at room temperature for several hours so that it acquires its usual properties. If you neglect this, you can easily get cracks over the entire surface of the panel literally from the first movement after the start of the procedure. As soon as it warms up, you can start marking.

The second rule, with any cutting method, it is necessary that the panel is turned face down. This is done to ensure that the material profile does not deform as the work progresses and that cracks and dents do not appear. In addition, some plastic manufacturers allow the appearance of defects such as microcracks, which become noticeable only over time, with use, and dust accumulation in the cracks.

If you need to cut several panels at once, you need to follow the following rules. They should be placed face down, just like single ones. They must be laid on at least 2 supports, and they must not sag or move, and the part of the panels that is supposed to be cut must be fixed. Most often, this is not possible; in such cases, this part can simply be rested against the wall.

This is done in order to avoid displacement of the material when exposed to a tool. Otherwise, the panels will turn out to be of different lengths and widths.

Also, do not forget about safety precautions when carrying out repair work. When cutting material, especially when using electric tool, the probability of a fragment breaking off is quite high. To avoid damage to the skin and eyes, it is necessary to work in thick, special clothing with sleeves, and special safety glasses. It is also recommended to use gloves, as fingers are most at risk of being damaged by shrapnel.

PVC panel is one of the most popular materials for interior decoration premises. Its use in the interior attracts not only appearance, but also affordable price, ease of maintenance and installation. Thanks to the listed characteristics, many people prefer PVC panels rather than tiles when decorating personal hygiene rooms.

Features of the material

PVC panels are one of the modern species finishing material, which is made by extrusion and is used both in the bathroom and in the living room. The main raw material in the production of such products is polyvinyl chloride, which is used to fill the casting mold. So that the panels can be given the desired color, a certain amount of crushed natural chalk is added to their composition.

Decorating PVC panels can be done in one of the following ways:

• coloring;
• thermal printing;
• offset printing.

Thermal printing is applied to a plastic surface using a special heated high temperatures roller that presses the film to the surface of the product. Thanks to this technology, it is possible to quickly and clearly apply a design without loss of image brightness. The panel itself does not require additional varnish. Offset printing is used much less frequently due to its high cost.

Choosing a cutting tool

In the process of installing such finishing material at home, users are faced with a small problem: the panels sold in hardware stores are 3 meters long, and the ceiling height in most panel houses is 2.5 meters.

Repair specialists who have to professional activity carry out the installation of PVC panels, they know many secrets regarding the correct cutting of plastic materials lengthwise and crosswise. After analyzing them, every owner who wants to make repairs themselves will be able to choose the most suitable one for him. professional tool or use improvised means.

The choice of method for cutting panels usually depends on the tasks assigned and the capabilities of the craftsman. Below are the types of cutting materials.

Cutter

Most experienced professionals, whose tools have a wide variety and are designed for high-quality processing plastic, they prefer to cut PVC panels using a special cutter. Thanks to him without special effort An even cut is created on the plastic surface, characterized by the absence of nicks and chips. The cutter is sold in almost every hardware store and has a very affordable price.

If necessary, this tool can be made independently from available materials, for which it is enough to adhere to the following recommendations:

• it is necessary to prepare a metal strip, the thickness of which is at least 2 mm and the width is 1 cm;
• then you should cut one of the edges of the workpiece at an angle of 45 degrees;
• it is necessary to sharpen the edge of a homemade product using a sharpening stone;
• the opposite side should be wrapped with electrical tape, which will protect your hand from damage during operation.

A professional plastic cutter has a relatively low cost, so purchasing it can be a profitable investment, because thanks to such a tool, the process of cutting PVC panels becomes not only more convenient, but also quite fast.

Hacksaw

One of universal devices For cutting any material, there is a hacksaw, which is sure to be in the arsenal of any craftsman. This will help you cut the plastic wall panel if necessary. Such work will take more time than using a special cutter, however, with significant volumes of cladding, this will not significantly affect the overall duration of the repair.

When using a hacksaw, you should listen to the following recommendations from experts:

• for working with plastic finishing materials you should use a tool with small teeth, which is usually designed for working with metal or wood;
• to shorten a PVC panel there is no need to apply strong physical force, which can lead to damage to the material;
• You can cut several parts at once with a hacksaw by stacking them and securing them to avoid deflection or displacement.

To prevent the cut from becoming jagged, it is not recommended to use a tool with different sides teeth.

Power tools

For quick sawing of PVC panels, it is best to have a power tool on hand. For this purpose, you can use almost any device, which will help to significantly reduce the time spent on preparation for installation.

Often cutting is performed using the following devices:

• jigsaw;
• Bulgarians;
• circulars.

To work with plastic material It is allowed to use only low speeds, because with significant heating it begins to melt and release toxic substances. human body evaporation, and in this case the cut will turn out torn.

Using a jigsaw will help make the process of preparing PVC panels for installation much faster than when using hand tools.

However, with this processing method, the following nuances must be taken into account:

• even before starting work, it is necessary to turn off the pendulum stroke;
• You should use a file with the smallest teeth possible;
• you need to set the saw blade to the lowest speed, which will avoid excessive heating of the plastic at the cut site.

Using a jigsaw is very convenient for cutting stacks of panels, but you should make sure that their height does not exceed the length of the file installed in the tool.

The grinder is recognized as the most convenient and practical power tool, with which you can cut PVC wall panels. Having installed cutting disc, you can make not only straight, but also shaped cuts on the surface of the plastic. When processing plastic around the grinder, it turns on only at low speeds, which will avoid damage to the material due to melting of the edges.

Knife

In the absence of more practical and convenient tools You can cut PVC using a knife.

Suitable for solving such a problem the following types cutting products:

• Kitchen knife. This the tool will do for cutting multiple panels during repair or replacement. For large-scale wall decoration, such a procedure is unnecessarily lengthy and painful.
• Construction knife. Among the manual cutting tool such a device is one of optimal options allowing you to achieve an even cut with relatively little effort.
• Stationery knife. With help wooden ruler or a square, this tool allows you to achieve a perfectly even cut of the panel, so it is often used for cutting them.

Basic cutting rules

To ensure that your efforts in cutting PVC panels are not in vain, and that the result of the work meets your expectations, experts recommend adhering to a number of rules for working with plastic. These little secrets will not only help to significantly reduce the amount of damaged material, but will also protect the craftsman from unnecessary financial expenses and injuries.

When carrying out work during the heating season, you should not start cutting panels that were recently brought into the premises. The plastic should naturally heat up to room temperature, which is achieved in at least 12 hours. The point is that when low temperatures the plastic panel becomes fragile, and therefore can crack and break off in large fragments.

Regardless of the chosen method of processing the material, it should be placed with the front side facing you, which will avoid deformation of the panel and difficulties during its further installation. When cut from the reverse side, you can find microcracks on the front part, which will appear over time and significantly damage the interior.

It is necessary to mark in advance the straight line of the planned cut, which can be done with a simple pencil and a stationery ruler.

Thrifty homeowners know that there is no better and more practical material for and toilet than decorative PVC panels. They are great replacements ceramic tiles in cases where there is not enough money or time for a full repair.

I also fell in love with this material because it can be easily installed with your own hands. However, standard length panels are 3 m, which exceeds the height of ceilings in typical high-rise buildings. In this regard, inexperienced craftsmen who decide to cover the walls of the bathroom with their own hands have a question about how to cut plastic panels at home. In this article we will talk about special tool for sawing plastic and improvised means that can be used for this operation.

Experienced craftsmen with a whole range of special means for processing plastic, used for cutting PVC panels for wall cladding with a special cutter. This useful tool makes an absolutely even cut on plastic without the use of physical effort.

Craftsmen can easily make this instrument with their own hands according to the following instructions:

1. Need to take a lane metal sheet thickness of at least 2 mm. The width of the strip should be 1 cm.
2. One edge of the metal strip is cut at an angle of 45 degrees.
3. One side homemade cutter sharpened using a whetstone.
4. The opposite side is wrapped with electrical tape so as not to damage your hand during operation.

Note! A plastic cutter costs 700-1500 rubles, it may well come in handy in the future. We recommend purchasing this useful tool, as it significantly speeds up the process of cutting PVC panels.

Hacksaw – universal tool, which is available in the arsenal of any master. It can be used to easily cut plastic wall panels if it is not possible to purchase a special cutter. Using a hacksaw, the cutting process takes longer, but with a small amount of work this does not significantly affect the duration of wall cladding.

When sawing plastic with a hacksaw, the following nuances must be taken into account:

• To cut PVC, use a tool with fine teeth for wood (crosscutting) or metal.
• To cut plastic, you do not need to apply strong force, otherwise you can damage the material.
• Using a hacksaw, you can cut several panels at once by stacking them.

Please note that when processing plastic, the cut may become jagged if you use a tool with teeth spread in different directions.

Power tools

The most impatient ones can use a power tool to cut PVC panels. For these purposes, any device that the master has at hand is suitable. This method allows you to quickly cut plastic, saving a lot of time. Cutting is done using.