QA

Question: How To Cut Pvc Molding

What can I use to cut PVC molding?

Cut with carbide-tipped saw blades and bits Cut PVC trim boards with the same hand and power tools that you use for wood. But use only carbide-tipped saw blades; plain steel ones will dull quickly. In general, the more teeth a blade has, the smoother the cut edges will be. We recommend standard combination saw blades.

Can you cut PVC Moulding?

You can cut exterior PVC trim boards with the power tools you usually use while working with wooden trim. However, we advise you to use only carbide-tipped saw blades. Thirty-two tooth blades are optimal for this purpose. We recommend standard hybrid saw blades.

How do you cut plastic molding?

Make your angle cut using a miter box. Use the built-in gauge on the base of the miter box to set the angle for the cut. Place your plastic molding against the backstop of the tool and either clamp it or hold it firmly in place. Move the hand saw back and forth to cut through the molding at the desired angle.

How do you cut plastic without melting it?

To make straight cuts on thicker sheets of acrylic and polycarbonate plastic (greater than ⅛ inch thick), you’ll need to use a table saw or circular saw. Use blades designed specifically to cut plastic, which are often packaged as “No Melt” blades.

How do you cut PVC trim with a miter saw?

Turn on the saw and pull down slowly on the lever. Push through the piece of trim and let go of the lever while raising up to turn off the saw. Set the mitre saw on a work table so it is steady and does not sway or rock. Push through the piece of trim and let go of the lever while raising up to turn off the saw.

Can you cut PVC trim with a hand saw?

A hand saw is the most common way to cut PVC pipe, but can be a little messy. You can use almost any kind of saw, but a hacksaw is best as it gives you much more flexibility.

Can you use a nail gun on PVC trim?

Nail guns can be used – PSI between 80- 100 dependent upon gun, nail, outside temperature and substrate. Use 7d trim screws to better control expansion / contraction. In temps under 40°F pre-drilling may be required, depending on the fastener used.

Is PVC board easy to cut?

The lack of grain in PVC lumber makes it easier to cut or route than wood lumber. Cut with carbide-tipped blades, because PVC makes steel blades dull too quickly and causes rough edges.

What is the best adhesive for PVC trim?

We recommend PVC pipe glue with solvent for bonding the ends of PVC trim boards to themselves (Weld-On 705 by IPS, TrimTight by Trim Glue, Inc. or Christy’s Red Hot). Be sure the PVC pipe glue has sufficient working time to allow you to apply the glue and push the boards together before it cures.

What tool do you use to cut plastic?

The three best types of saws for cutting thick plastic are a fine-toothed saw, a jigsaw, and a table saw. A fine-toothed saw works best for precision plastic cutting. If you need to make multiple non-linear cuts, this saw will serve you best. Fine-toothed saws also yield the smoothest cut.

How do you cut molding without a miter saw?

If you don’t have a miter saw, the handy circular saw is the next best alternative for ease of use and flexibility. It can handle molding joints but also other angled cuts by adjusting its angle bracket. It makes both square or straight bevel cuts on high or low baseboard widths.

Can a box cutter cut plastic?

Using only a box cutter and a ruler (and a clamp if you need one) you too can cut plastic. You should never take the protective film off of your plastic until the last possible minute to avoid scratches.

How do you cut thin plastic without cracking it?

You can easily cut thin plastic sheets less than 1/16 inch (. 063) thick with a utility knife. Harder clear plastics such as polycarbonate may require multiple passes with a knife, but the result will be a clean cut finished edge with no chips or cracks.

What is a hot knife tool?

The Hot Knife is an electric tool with a heated blade that can be used to cut and shape other materials. In the conservation lab, the heated element can be used to cut through foam as easy as cutting butter with, well, a hot knife.

How do you cut plastic corner trim?

The best way to cut plastic profiles is with a fine-toothed rotary saw. This gives a neater cut than using a wide-toothed saw as it reduces burred and jagged edges. The more teeth on the saw the better the cut.

Do I need a special blade to cut PVC?

For cutting PVC pipe, use a combination wood/metal blade with a 10/14 TPI configuration. There is no specialty PVC sawzall blade, nor is one necessary.

What is the best way to cut PVC sheet?

A good shop knife can cut thicknesses up to 3 mm. Up to 6 mm thick sheets can be scored and snapped on the score line. For speed and a very smooth edge, expanded PVC can be cut with a circular saw, table saw, band saw, or router. After cutting, edges can be smoothed with a file or a medium grit sand paper.

Should I nail or glue PVC trim?

Fill gaps using manufacturer recommended sealant. Just like with wood use a scarf joint to join PVC trim boards. PVC cement is used on any joint that doesn’t require an expansion gap. For fastening use stainless steel trim nails so the nails will last as long as the trim.

Do you have to sand PVC trim before painting?

You do NOT have to prime it first. You also (against conventional wisdom) do NOT have to “scuff it up” with sandpaper beforehand in order to get the paint to “adhere” properly. This paint “reflects” the UV rays that otherwise would be soaked up by the dark color and cause the PVC to heat up, warp and distort.

Can you cut PVC board with a jigsaw?

Much of the time, PVC can be cut on a worktable or other stable surface. In these cases, a bayonet blade that works back and forth, such as that found on a jigsaw or reciprocating saw, works well. A fine tooth hacksaw, or serrated blade adapter for a powered multi-tool can also be used.

How do you attach PVC trim to drywall?

To fasten the trim to the wall, I use 2 1/4-inch-long 15-gauge nails. On the interior of a home, nail holes in PVC can be filled with almost anything used with wood; Bond-and-Fill is a safe choice. To glue joints together, use PVC cement, since wood glues like Titebond II don’t work all that well with PVC.

What glue will stick to PVC?

The best adhesive for bonding PVC (plasticized) is Cyanoacrylates or UV Curable adhesives. Permabond offer flexible grades of cyanoacrylates such as Permabond 2050 and Permabond 731. These adhesives are ideal for bonds where the flexibility needs to be maintained.