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cutting 1/2″ thick rubber mats

paul42 | Posted in Tools for Home Building on April 19, 2007 07:01am

somewhat off topic, but definitely a tool question.

I have about 40 horse stall mats that I need to cut to fit into an area that includes posts, etc…

The rubber mats are 4’x6′ by 1/2″ and according to the specs they are made of a reinforced rubber compound.  With just a few to cut, the normal method is to make multiple passes with a utility knife.  I’m really hoping for a better answer.

My first guess at the moment is one of the Craftsman twin cutter electric saws and lots of silicon spray. 

Any other suggestions?

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Replies

  1. Marc5 | Apr 19, 2007 07:10pm | #1

    You may just have to bite the bullet and get out the knee pads and a good utility knife.  That's what we did recently for a barn project of about 40 mats.  Use a square and a piece of chalk to help you measure and mark.  We had to make a lot of intricate cuts around posts.  I couldn't find anyone who had luck with an electric cutter.

  2. TomT226 | Apr 19, 2007 07:15pm | #2

    Jigsaw & silicone?

     

    1. cudavid | Apr 19, 2007 07:19pm | #3

      circular saw, w/ coarse junk blade, also sandwitch matte between junk plywood

      1. TomT226 | Apr 19, 2007 07:25pm | #4

        I've cut old car and tractor tires with a JS.  Used a medium speed on the Bosch, no problem. 

        1. paul42 | Apr 19, 2007 07:56pm | #5

          If the Bosch will do the trick, then I'm in business.

          thanks

           

  3. fingers | Apr 19, 2007 09:50pm | #6

    Might be a good job for the EZ guide

  4. Dudley | Apr 19, 2007 10:03pm | #7

    do it all the time with my Bosch jig saw and an metal cutting blade -- very nice cut

  5. JonE | Apr 19, 2007 10:29pm | #8

    Jog saw and a very fine tooth metal cutting blade.  Could even grind the teeth off or find a knife-edge blade to use.

     

  6. User avater
    draftguy | Apr 19, 2007 10:46pm | #9

    have used a circular saw on rubber gym mats . . . second the previous suggestion about using an old blade

    it'll take forever with a utility knife (and you'll lose the feeling in your fingers for a week)



    Edited 4/19/2007 3:46 pm ET by draftguy

  7. DanH | Apr 19, 2007 11:51pm | #10

    I'm surprised no one's suggested using a knife blade in a Multimaster.

    So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
    1. Sasquatch | Apr 20, 2007 03:23pm | #24

      I'm surprised nobody is advocating use of the Domino in this project.

      1. DanH | Apr 20, 2007 04:23pm | #25

        Well, their pizzas are kinda rubbery, but I don't think they'd stand up to the foot traffic. And the grease would make people slip.
        So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

      2. eddo234 | Jan 31, 2022 04:55pm | #32

        :-) But, do you mean the DF500 or the 700?

  8. User avater
    BillHartmann | Apr 19, 2007 11:53pm | #11

    Bosch makes a knife blade. Don't know how well it will work.

    http://www.boschtools.com/accessories/accessories-detail.htm?H=176309&G=54787

    If you use a cutting blade I think that moderate wood or maybe aluminum cutting blade would be better than a fine metal blade.

    6-10 teeth/in.

    Want to cut out chunks. I would think that 20-30 t/in metal blade would make more dust than cutting.

    .
    .
    A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
    1. Dudley | Apr 20, 2007 12:05am | #13

      try a metal cutting blade and you will be presently surprised -- I do work out floors with this and have only had surprise and satisfaction

  9. User avater
    SamT | Apr 20, 2007 12:02am | #12

    Whenn using a saw. make sure you have a good wide set to the theet. The rubber likes to move out of the way and spring back to bind the flats of the blade.

    SamT

    There are three kinds of people: Predaters, Prey, and Paladins. The really strange thing is that Prey feels safer from Predators by disarming Paladins.

    1. DanH | Apr 20, 2007 12:05am | #14

      I was thinking about that and wondering if maybe a router/RotoZip would be a better choice for a tool.And if using a blade, probably some sort of lubricant -- soap or oil -- should be used.
      So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

      1. PhillGiles | Apr 20, 2007 04:36pm | #26

        Water.  Ever wonder why you're far more likely to get a flat in the rain ?  Water does something to the rubber that makes it much easier to cut.

        <!----><!----> <!---->

        Phill Giles<!----><!---->

        The Unionville Woodwright<!----><!---->

      2. Deleted | Jan 28, 2022 07:52am | #29

        “[Deleted]”

  10. handymanvan | Apr 20, 2007 12:43am | #15

    4 1/2 angle grinder with the metal cutting blade--like butter only better smelling.

    Nobody is as good as they seem, nobody is as bad as they seem either.
    1. TomT226 | Apr 20, 2007 02:13am | #16

      Like yer tag-line.

      I need a good excuse.... 

  11. BillBrennen | Apr 20, 2007 04:12am | #17

    Bosch sells knife-edge blades for their jigsaws. Lubricating with silicone is also a great idea. If you use toothed blades, a bandsaw works better on rubber than a circular or reciprocating saw.

    Bill

  12. User avater
    MarkH | Apr 20, 2007 04:30am | #18

    Oxy Acetylene cutting torch would work.  May stink a little.

  13. renosteinke | Apr 20, 2007 04:33am | #19

    For cutting rubber, I have had better luck using tools that have a sharp edge press against an anvil, rather than two sharp edges (like scissors).

  14. User avater
    MarkH | Apr 20, 2007 04:35am | #20

    More practical:

    http://www.rmurphyknives.com/MillKnives.htm

  15. ponytl | Apr 20, 2007 05:42am | #21

    you need a hot knife... look for one like we use to use to groove dirttrack tires with... they use to run about $40 from Marsh Racing Tires... but i'm sure they are on ebay

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Tire-Groover-Cutter-With-4-Blades-Grooving-Iron-IMCA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33746QQihZ014QQitemZ330109237615QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

    just ckecked there are 100 on ebay... this puppy will let you cut it anyway you'd like with as much detail as you want... most blades are loops to cut a groove into a tire but you can turn em upside down and just use one leg...

    good luck

    p

  16. jako17 | Apr 20, 2007 01:31pm | #22

    Try using Yellow 77 electric wire lube with your saw .

    1. DanH | Apr 20, 2007 01:40pm | #23

      Or maybe some KY will make it go in easier.
      So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

  17. User avater
    jdfields | Jan 27, 2022 04:52pm | #27

    Never too late... Go back to high school, do much better in math, physics, chemistry (and so much more), then apply to any respectable university, get accepted and study engineering!
    Enroll in material science in your 3rd/4th semesters. There you would learn the answers!

    For the impatient (or stubornly clueless) read what the blade manufacturer's information / whitepapers say about cutting rubber (usually automotive) fluid hoses.
    Hint, hint: Don't waste your time with typical 6000 RPM (8" diameter) or 12000 RPM (4" diameter) rotary (circular) saws. Don't bother with sharp toothed blades either. Those are doomed to rip and burn the elastomer (rubber).

    DO use a smooth edged round / octagon or scalloped blades (could be reciprocating or rotary) with a SLOW electric cutting machine. DO use generous amounts of spray silicone lube (both sides of blade). An excellent choice to cut through rubber 'horse' mats of about 3/4" or less is a rotary fabric cutter (about 100 watt motor is enough). They revolve at 650 RPM and can handle almost one inch material. The cutting speed is about 6 linear feet per minute (no joke). A good example is the Reliable Brand, 4” Octa Knife Cloth Cutter Model #1500FR.
    I have my Bach Sci degree earned in 1981, from an actual 'University' (not some CC extension). Lehigh University in Bethlehem PA. Thank goodness for knowledgable PhDs like Dr Wood in the Material Sci dept!

    1. calvin | Jan 27, 2022 06:03pm | #28

      Well…."

      1. florida | Jan 31, 2022 04:16pm | #30

        I'm glad it was an easy question. Can you imagine the answer to a hard one?

        1. calvin | Jan 31, 2022 04:47pm | #31

          Beats me, I’ve never given cutting 1/2” rubber mats a thought. And am only slightly embarrassed to say I’m 3 hours short of my degree. Slightly, because I made deans list every qtr after that horrible freshman year.

          Just think, I could been something more than just a dumb carpenter.

          1. bing0328 | Jan 31, 2022 08:20pm | #34

            Hey I have an MBA and boy am I glad I'm a dumb carpenter. Such a waste of money but Dad said yada yada to here I am. Do wish he was still around.

          2. calvin | Feb 01, 2022 08:06am | #35

            Bing,
            I wished I had sat in on a few business classes. Luckily I must have used some common sense so I didn’t get stuck by some unscrupulous customer.
            Amen.

          3. User avater
            jdfields | Feb 01, 2022 09:10pm | #36

            “Being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

          4. calvin | Feb 01, 2022 09:34pm | #37

            https://www.finehomebuilding.com/forum/coming-out-of-the-cubicle

        2. eddo234 | Jan 31, 2022 04:57pm | #33

          florida :-)

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