Cutting the width of blanket insulation
BunkerBilly
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
All stud cavities are not created equal. Any suggestions on how to cut down the width of 3-1/2″ fiberglass insulation from 15-1/2″ to something less than that, like 10″ wide or even 3″ wide? I have tried the long board, which is a pain. I have even rolled the full length up in a roll and cut the width with a hand saw. There has to be a better way. Help!!!
Replies
3.5" is a breeze. Get the best kitchen knife in the drawer, lay the 2x4 on the batt and slice away..whats so "painful" about that?
Fuzzy side UP BTW.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" If ya plan to face tomorrow, do it soon"
Thanks for the input, I never thought that technique was a consideration. I was just hoping there was a magic bullet.
Have a great day,
BunkerBilly
BTW. Some one makes a special knife...snap blade type that is extendable and has a cogged wheel that compresses the loft ahead of the blade. I have one somewhere..yellow and black.
IIRC about 8 bucks at the Big Blue Box store..I used it for much thicker INSUL and it was 50/50 on the satisfy scale..I went back to a large CARBON STEEL ( easy to sharpen) slicing knife..about a 9'' blade..OLD Hickory I think.
Lay the insul on ply, lay a 2x4 on the fuzzy side, stand on the 2x and slice away.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" If ya plan to face tomorrow, do it soon"
I like the long knife and will work on my technique. Just for grinns I'm going to call a couple of installers and see if they will share any information.
Thanks,
If you push on something hard enough, it will fall over!
Dust yer self exposed skin with baby powder before, COLD shower after, no itch.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" If ya plan to face tomorrow, do it soon"
Good point, Thanks
## I like the long knife and will work on my technique. Just for grinns I'm going to call a couple of installers and see if they will share any information.
Watched the installation subs on one project - they had utility knives taped to aluminum tubes and little pitch forks to handle the batts.
Never touched the stuff. They would lean over and slash it from about 18" off, then pitchfork it into the cavities - one fork per end. Went fast. Worked for them.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
It is amazing how many suggestions I have seen from the Breaktime discussions. I am going to try this one.
Thanks toolbear.
We've used very sharp knives, freshly sharpened hedge clippers, guillotine paper trimers, sheet-metal power shears, even large tailoring shears - they all work. Knives require technique, it's a short slashing stroke.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Phil,
As I mentioned to Sphere, I guess I have to work on my technique. The old razor knife routine might be getting me too close to my work, I will try a longer knife.
Regards,
BunkerBilly
At HFH I had them use an Olfa knife; you know, the ones with the disposable blades that you break off a segment at a time to get a fresh edge/point; extend a brand-new blade right out; sandwich the insulation between two 2-bys and kneel on the wood to hold it, them cut with a short slashing motion. About 1/2 were cutting insulation like pros in minutes, the rest just didn't get it.
Long-sleeves tucked into gloves (hoody is good), athletic pants tucked into heavy socks, eye-protection, good mask, dew-rag or hat, tight collar or neck-kerchief.
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Phill Giles<!----><!---->
The Unionville Woodwright<!----><!---->
I am rather new at Breaktime conversations and am amazed at the wealth of information out there and the willingness of you guys to share that information.
Many thanks.
dew rag...LOL
we call it a DOO rag..as in hair DOO..
fore warned is fore armed, in case that snot nosed punk from LA. finds a nit to pick w/ you Canadiens.
No dis-respect Phill, just a point that will get you a bulls-eye for the insipid and ignorant cats in the room.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" If ya plan to face tomorrow, do it soon"
Okay, two countries separated by a common language - around the gym it was a dew-rag (instead of those sissy sweat bands the guys who do aerobics wear).
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Phill Giles<!----><!---->
The Unionville Woodwright<!----><!---->
It's not hard to do with the long board after you develop the touch. I use a fresh utility knife blade. But my favorite is using the insulation guy to do it for me. Many people develop a tolerance for the glass, but I itch just thinking about it.
I agree, insulation ranks right up there with sheetrock in my book.
Thanks,
BunkerBilly
There are also bundles of insulation batts that have two or three "scored" batts lengthwise included. You can kind of eyeball the prescored lines for a straighter cut. It makes it a little easier to cut them with a utility knife, but I still used two 2x4's to compress the fiberglass on either side of the cutline.
Its been about a year since I put it in the last rehab project, but I think they were johns manfield bundles that had them. That was the first I had seen them, or at least paid attention enough to notice them.
Good suggestion but I'mmmmmm hoping that this is the last time I have to be concerned about insulation installation.
Thanks,
The guys I've seen who cut this stuff for a living use serrated kitchen knives. I trust they've tried everything and stick with what works best.
I'm off to Walley World to buy one now.
Thanks