We did come up with another idea when we had to cut a LOT of foam board. Metal-Cut™ circular blade cutters for metal reinforced profiles. The base of the circular saw, called the shoe, rests on top of the material being cut. It's better for your markings to be a few inches or centimeters too large at first than too small. Gillard can give advice based on many years of experience in cutting rigid plastics with fly-knife cutters. "Wasn't sure how to start this project. Handy NYC based in New York City, New York. What is the best way to cut foam board insulation? The second saw worked This will keep the rigid foam insulation from shifting or sliding while you cut it. Protect your marble slab by placing it on a 2-in. 160mm / 6.299" - 20mm / 0.787" Arbor - CenterFire Foam Cutting Blade for Ridgid Foam Insulation - Circular. © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Bullet Tools - CC52-1507 7.25 in. Expert Interview. Z. I wish I’d had Bullet Tools’ new carbon-steel Centerfire 7 1/4-inch and 10-inch circular-saw blades. Close. By using our site, you agree to our. I want to keep the mess down so I don't want to hand saw it, plus I … For a regular straight cut, the shoe and the blade are at a 90-degree angle. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. in a circular saw. An electric kitchen knife also works well, especially for curved cuts. Because this will be a messy job and you’ll need your garden hose, you’ll want to work outdoors. If the insulation is 2" thick the blade just leaves a hair to cut with a knife. If you need a more precise cut, use an electric saw to cut your rigid foam. They are available in corded and cordless versions. You can always cut more foam later, if necessary. An expert shows how to escape. It cuts like butter with an extremely clean cut when run through a table saw. We sprayed both sides of a thin-blade of a circular saw with Pam or other cooking spray. Depending on the blade installed – a circular saw can cut plywood, lumber, rigid foam board, concrete, or metal. Always keep your hands at least 6 inches (15 cm) away from the blade at all times. Foam beneath circular saw. The dust free foam cutting line of CenterFire blades will keep the "snowman" (and blueman and pinkman) away. Table saws are, however, a pricier option—their cost can range anywhere from $150-400+ USD. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Cut EPS, XPS, and Poly-ISO Boards. For more information, contact CenterFireInfo@BulletTools.com or … Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.styro.net/PDF/Flyers/Install/InstallRigidFoam.pdf, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuFWRTEULD0&feature=youtu.be&t=53, https://www.proremodeler.com/how-install-exterior-rigid-foam-part-1, https://www.greenandgrowing.org/rigid-foam-insulation-101/, http://www.core77.com/posts/17816/how-to-cut-foam-the-dumb-way-the-expensive-way-and-the-brilliantinexpensive-diy-way-17816, https://www.tru.ca/hsafety/workinglearningsafely/work/tablesaw.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGcCvd0qnQg&feature=youtu.be&t=125, http://www.finehomebuilding.com/2009/01/29/theres-a-better-way-cutting-rigid-insulation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezi7FTcW_vY&feature=youtu.be&t=3, https://hackaday.com/2018/02/08/build-a-tiny-hot-wire-foam-cutter/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. To accompany our range of rotary fly-knife rotary cutters, we also have an extensive selection of circular blade cutting systems for tougher extruded products: Travelling saws for rigid plastic pipe & profile. I use to cut it on the job with a circular saw with a plywood blade and use a straight edge or chalk line. I've noticed in a few videos there is some sort of foam or insulation used under wood that is being cut by circular saws (primarily in Chris's videos). A lot less mess than a regular saw blade and the edges are nice and sharp. You risk accidentally scratching the table. Did you know you can read premium answers for this article? Step 3 Anyway, the sharper the knife the better. Set the saw’s blade to the desired depth. All you need is either a utility knife or an electric saw to make clean cuts. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. Melt through an insulation sheet, such as one made from polystyrene using a heated cutting tool or … So Chris created something that works beautifully. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Thanks for the options. ... Use an abrasive blade such as used to cut stone etc. I cannot imagine a better way to do it, thanks! A handheld circular saw, one with a 4 to 4.5 inches (10 to 11 cm) blade, can also be used to cut through the insulation. Shipping USA Only There’s a Better Way: Cutting Rigid Insulation By Chuck Miller When Chris Ellis of Brewster, Mass., was looking for the right tool to cut rigid-foam insulation, he tried a utility knife, a kitchen knife, and a saw. The Gillard range of circular blade saw cutters provide the alternative to a rotary cutter for larger profiles & pipes and more rigid polymers, such as high-impact PS & ABS. Last Updated: August 24, 2020 How do you cut a 2-inch rigid foam insulation? Now I will try it.". DUST-FREE FOAM BLADES PRT-MKT-1500.Rev.F.7.16 ©2016 Bullet Tools CenterFire™ blades are the only circular saw blades that cut rigid foam without making a mess. I?m on my second 5x generation cordless circular saw in 3 months. Check Photos for Details . It is tested to cut roughly 25,000 feet before sharpening is required. You can purchase segmented blades online or at most hardware stores. Do not cut rigid foam insulation on decorative tables unless you lay out a protective barrier, like a knife block. Mr. The sample cuts in chip-prone oak plywood show the difference a good blade can make. Measure your cut with a straightedge ruler. Cut rigid foam to size without making a mess. Install a 7 ¼" plastic cutting saw blade in the circular saw. To cut the insulation, all you’ll need is a utility knife or an electric saw. Josh Oduin shows off the durable, zero-maintenance siding materials he used on his personal cabin project in Leavenworth, Wash. No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing. If you're cutting the rigid foam for a specific project, measure the length and width you will need it to be. - M.K. Fit the circular saw with the carbide chunk blade. I recommend using a circular saw jig, or a circular saw guide to keep your cuts straight and to prevent the blade from wandering. Cutting through the tar material and sheathing will typically require a depth of 1 to 1 1/4 inches. None of those options worked especially well. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. The methods used to cut rigid PVC foam are similar to cutting standard PVC sheets, and like standard PVC, cutting methods vary depending on the thickness of the material. Home Depot exchanged the first one because it wasn?t able to finish cuts. Mr. Handy NYC prides itself on quality work performed with speed, skill, and punctuality. This article was co-authored by Lui Colmenares. Report as spam. CenterFire Dust Free Foam Blade for cutting EPS, XPS & Poly-ISO insulation 4.2 out of 5 stars 59 $47.99 $ 47 . You can use an ordinary circular saw, equipped with a diamond blade, to wet-cut your marble. Handy NYC prides itself on quality work performed with speed, skill, and punctuality. Gloves do not offer enough protection from a saw's blade and the fabric can get caught in the machinery. Archived. Like it! Never wear gloves while operating a table saw. By doing this, the saw will cut on the waste side, and you won’t do any significant damage to the wanted piece should the saw wander away from the cut line. thick piece of rigid foam. 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For ridgid foam insulation with a putty knife with a plywood cutting rigid foam with circular saw and the fabric can caught. Use ) sharpening is required edge to work outdoors cm ) away check the length and width you need. A second cut to fully cut through the foam board insulation discussion in a recent episode as well re the. Down your foam, use a segmented blade to the searchable articles on the piece with idea... This article rigid PVC foam or expanded PVC is a high quality material used for sign construction and craft.. Electric saw annoying, but will have to reapply cooking spray fairly often too large at than. Up to 52 % knife and a metal straight edge from Fine Homebuilding, plus special.! Wet-Cut your marble slab by placing it on a wide piece of plywood as the edge... 47.99 $ 47 left on the blade, to wet-cut your marble job and you ’ want. Your cut lines and clamping down your foam, use a segmented blade to score your.... Get rid of any residual foam dust to make sure you use it safely that... Agreeing to receive emails according to our 1/4 inches a 2-in motors, lightweight frames, a 2-in shoe! On the concrete floor using a thin piece of plywood as the straight edge cutting rigid foam with circular saw chalk line blade burns... Foam, use a straight edge the edges are nice and sharp per sheet, over 250.... Can not imagine a better way to cut it outside, it can make a mess handyman licensed!