Bathroom renovation portal. Useful Tips

We bend and cut drywall with an improvised tool at home. How and what to cut drywall at home with the least loss How to cut drywall at home

Plasterboard is widely used for the manufacture of structures such as ceilings, partitions, various shelves. But, since the sheets of plasterboard have standard sizes, they have to be cut.

It is not difficult to mark the sheet, but here's how to cut it correctly so as not to spoil it, because the core of the sheet is still gypsum, which is characterized by increased fragility? And if you need to make an arch or some other curved structure? Can drywall be bent? And, if so, how?

Don't worry. All these questions have long been answered. It is possible to successfully cut and bend drywall. Our task is to figure out how and how to do it right.

Unlike professional builders and repairmen who use a wide variety of tools, you have to use improvised tools at home. But the person undertaking the repair usually already has everything he needs to work. Moreover, no special devices are needed.

The following tools can be used to cut drywall boards:

  • A ruler, tape measure, pencil are necessary for accurate measurements and layout of the sheet. A compass may be needed to mark small holes, and a piece of rope with a pencil attached to one end (an impromptu compass that can be used to beat off an arc of any radius) will be needed for large arcs.

  • A construction knife (or a clerical knife, if it is durable). It is a versatile tool and the only replacement part is the blade. Stock up on replacement blades ahead of time so you don't have to head out to the store in the midst of work.
  • Jigsaw - usually used for cutting wood and wood-based panels, but it is also suitable for drywall, you just have to install the blade for metal (it has smaller teeth and cuts plasterboard better). With the help of a jigsaw, you can make not only straight cuts, but also curly cuts.
  • Planer - it is used not for cutting sheets, but for the subsequent processing of their edges. On the cuts, it is imperative to remove the chamfers - this will allow you to qualitatively seal the joints of the sheets after installing the structure.
  • Drywall hacksaw - you can do without it, but with it, some operations can be performed faster. This hacksaw resembles a saw blade with a rather narrow blade and serrated edges. The knife blade made of high-strength steel is soldered into the handle and allows you to make any cuts (straight and curly) without much effort. The knife is very comfortable. If you buy such a tool, you can later use it for cutting small pieces of wood.
  • An electric drill or cutter with various attachments will make it easy to cut round holes of different diameters in the plate.

We cut the gypsum board in a straight line

Immediately, we note that in order to reduce material waste, it is necessary to carry out very accurate measurements of the room and use as many whole slabs as possible during installation.

Drywall should be cut only in cases where there are no other options.

Therefore, you need to create a plan for the layout of sheets on the surface in advance, and outline the places where sheets of non-standard sizes and shapes will be needed.

Professionals can easily cut gypsum boards both on the floor and leaning against the wall. But if you have not had to do this before, then it is better to put the sheet on the floor face up - it will be along it that the cut will be made.


  • the marking of the sheets is usually located on the back side;
  • the front side and side edges of the sheets usually have the same color;
  • the chemical composition of the front side is different, the facing cardboard contains more cellulose, which reduces the consumption of finishing materials.

The slab is cut as follows:

  • Press the ruler firmly against the marked line and draw along it with a knife several times.
  • The knife must be guided confidently, avoiding jerks, cutting through the layer of paper and grabbing the plaster a little. Make sure that the ruler does not move.
  • After that, the plate is cracked along the cut, bending it in the opposite direction to the cut.
  • Then with a construction knife you need to cut through the cardboard layer on the other side. If the plate is broken correctly, then there will be no problems at this stage.
  • Attach the prepared sheet to the installation site in order to check the accuracy of the cut. If the size is a little too large, then the excess can be removed with a rasp (but this will generate a large amount of gypsum dust).
  • Process the sections with a plane, chamfering.

How to cut round and rectangular holes

It is often necessary to make holes in the sheet for pipes, sockets or switches.

To do this, you need to mark their locations on the sheet using a tape measure.

  • Accurately measure the edge of the hole from both sides of the sheet, and from the top and bottom. Contour the cut.
  • Next, with a drill with a thick drill, you need to make 4 holes on the sides of the marked rectangle - a jigsaw file should pass through them. They should be located within the rectangle as close to the cutting lines as possible.
  • Insert a file alternately into each of the holes and cut the opening. You need to work very carefully, strictly along the lined lines.
  • Once you've got the hole, check how well the switch box or outlet fits into it.
  • Finish the edges with a rasp if necessary.

Round holes:

  • For this purpose, you can use a small drill or hacksaw attachment.
  • Draw the center of the future hole on the sheet.
  • Attach the correct size bit to the drill chuck.
  • The drill bit of the crown must be installed in the center of the hole and drilled by gently pressing on the drill (if you press hard, the bit can get stuck in the plaster). It is better to use the medium speed of the tool for this.

If there is no drill and nozzles, then you can make a round hole with a knife, but this is not so convenient.

We make the hole with a knife like this:

  • Draw the outlines of the future hole on both sides of the sheet (and make no mistake).
  • Then use a knife to cut through the cardboard layer on both sides.
  • After that, you need to lightly knock on the plaster with a hammer, knocking it out.
  • Check how well the box or pipe fits into the hole.

Any curved shapes with smooth lines are cut along the markings using a jigsaw. In its absence, you can use a hacksaw for metal, but this is very inconvenient.

In order to mount arched structures over doorways or niches, you need to somehow bend the drywall so that it does not break.

For these purposes, drywall manufacturers produce special sheets of GKLA (arched), which have a thickness of 6.5 mm and are easily deformable.

Such material is somewhat more expensive than usual. For its installation, special arched profiles are used, equipped with cutouts along the side walls. Thanks to these cutouts, the profile can be easily bent as required, and then the flexible sheet can be fixed in it.

Since the thickness of the flexible sheet is small, then to strengthen the structure, you need to use two layers of drywall: the rough layer is made from a regular sheet, and the front layer is made from an arched sheet.

But if you did not manage to buy GKLA, then there are ways to bend ordinary wall drywall. For different situations, different technologies are used to influence the sheet.

If you need to get only a slight bend, then you can do this:

  • The prepared drywall blank is moistened with water on one side with a roller or brush.
  • It is left for 10-15 minutes so that the water is absorbed into the plaster layer.
  • After that, the sheet is screwed in the intended place. Do this carefully so as not to damage the material weakened by water.
  • After the evaporation of water, the material regains its initial strength and at the same time keeps the given shape well.

If the bending radius of the sheet is small enough, then you can bend it like this:

  • I process the sheet on one side with a needle roller.
  • Then, using a sponge, it is soaked in water for an hour. Be careful not to get the paper on the back of the sheet wet, otherwise it may tear if folded.
  • Then they are carefully bent using a template and the ends of the sheet are fixed with clamps.
  • The structure is left in this form until it dries completely.

If a roller with needles is not at hand, then you can use another option (dry bend):

  • Instead, a knife is used, with which cuts are made on the sheet, placing them in a direction perpendicular to the bend line.
  • The distance between the cuts should be 10-50 mm. The more frequent the cuts, the smaller the bending radius.
  • The side where the cuts are made must always be inside the bend.

Thus, having previously studied all the methods of cutting and bending the gypsum board, choose the most suitable one for yourself and act exactly according to the technology.

What is drywall cut with? How to cut drywall correctly

Today drywall is widely used in construction and renovation. You can work with this material yourself. However, you should first find out what the drywall is cut with so that there are no difficulties in the repair process. Below are the main ways to work and the tools you will need are listed.

Cutting tools

What is drywall cut with? There are special devices for cutting it, which

are quite expensive. They are used in enterprises where work with drywall is carried out on a large scale. For home use, you can use the tools at hand that can be found in every home.

First of all, you need to mark out the drywall sheet in order to cut it straight. This is done with a tape measure, a simple pencil and a long ruler.

Several tools can be used to cut the material. So, than drywall is cut:

  • a hacksaw for metal;
  • construction knife;
  • jigsaw.

In rooms with high humidity, moisture resistant plasterboard is used. It differs from ordinary material in the presence of antiseptic additives in its composition. Some people have a question about how to cut moisture resistant drywall. It doesn't differ much from regular material. It can be easily recognized by its green color. The same tools can be used to cut it. We will tell you in more detail how to work with each of them.

The better to cut drywall

A hacksaw for metal differs from the one used for sawing wood in a thinner blade

blades. With its help, drywall is cut very easily. The edges of the material remain flat and virtually jag free. A sheet of material must be placed on some kind of support and cut along the marked line.

With a construction knife with a double-sided sharp blade, you can easily cut a dense sheet of drywall. To make the edge of the sheet straight, you must first draw a marking line and attach a metal ruler to it. An incision is made along it with a knife. In the case when the drywall is thin enough, you can replace the construction knife with a regular office knife, which is used for paper.

It is convenient to make curly cuts with an electric jigsaw. When working with drywall, it is recommended to purchase fine-toothed files that are used for metal.

How to cut drywall correctly

There are some helpful tips to make your job easier:

  • Drywall is a flexible material. In order not to break it during work, you need to put the sheet on a stable flat surface.
  • When cutting a large sheet, this should be done gradually.
  • The workplace should be free of moisture, otherwise the material will get wet and become unusable.
  • Which side to cut drywall on is not so important. However, it is best to cut on a surface that will attach it to the wall.
  • When cutting a profile, don't worry about uneven edges. They will subsequently be covered with a drywall sheet.
  • When working with the material, it should be understood that it can crumble strongly and create dust. Be sure to protect your eyes and respiratory system.

Cutting along straight lines

First, you need to put the drywall on a flat horizontal surface and


mark on both sides of the line along which the cut will be carried out. After that, a metal ruler is applied to them and pressed by hand. We take a knife in the other hand and draw it along the line several times to make the cut deeper.

Some people think they can do it well without a ruler. However, you should not neglect it. It is rather difficult to make a straight cut without it. It's possible, of course, but you'll have to take the time to get a neat edge. With a ruler, everything is done much faster.

When the cuts are deep enough, the drywall sheet should be placed on the edge and tapped on the back side. Usually a few light blows will cause the drywall sheet to break along the line. Now all that remains is to cut the cardboard layer with a knife.

Curly cutting

There are situations when you need not a straight cut, but a curved or round one.


For example, if you are making an arch or hole for lighting fixtures. In this case, it is best to use a jigsaw.

They need to work slowly, following clearly along the outlined lines. The saw should be narrow with small teeth. It must work at high speed. If you cut it carefully, the edge will be flat.

If you don't have a jigsaw, you can use a hacksaw or a construction knife and hammer. Make deep cuts strictly along the markings. Place the drywall on a flat, indentable surface under the opening to be cut. Now hit this place with a hammer. After the unwanted part has fallen off, turn the drywall over and cut off the excess paper.

Edge processing

When the drywall is cut, the edges should be leveled slightly so that there is no


chipping and chipping. This can be done using sandpaper. Carefully pass all the edges of it until they are smooth.

The final stage of material preparation includes its fascination. To do this, you need to cut off a few millimeters of gypsum from each edge (about two-thirds of the sheet thickness). The chamfer is removed with a plane or knife at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

After installing drywall, all gaps between the material canvases must be putty. When the seams are dry, you can start painting the surface or pasting it with wallpaper.

How to cut a profile

Drywall sheets are attached to a special profile. It is made of metal
for the greatest structural strength. How to cut a profile for drywall? You can cope with this work using:

  • hacksaws for metal;
  • jigsaw;
  • scissors for metal.

It is not recommended to use a grinder at home because it produces a lot of sparks. Metal scissors will be enough. They can easily cut through iron without creating unnecessary debris and shavings.

The profile can be cut into small pieces. After fixing the drywall, it will not be visible. The main thing is to screw the profile well to the wall or other surface to ensure the strength of the entire structure.

Working with drywall is quite simple. Due to this, it is in great demand for interior decoration. Now that you have learned how to cut drywall, you can independently change your apartment beyond recognition, without spending money on professional finishers.

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How and what to cut drywall and make holes in it

From this material you will learn how to cut drywall, in addition, we will look at how to cut drywall and make rectangular and round holes in it. To do this, you will need several tools and knowledge of basic techniques on how to do it. In addition, we show you how to use materials efficiently so you have less waste and still get great results. We know from our experience that although the cutting process is not very difficult, it takes patience to master it. An unsatisfactory result can be obtained due to inaccurate measurements, the use of the wrong materials and tools. To learn how to cut drywall in the best possible way, read this article for tips on how to avoid common mistakes.

Preparation and marking

In order to cut drywall, you will need the following:

  • use only a knife with a sharp blade;
  • if it is supposed to fix drywall both on the ceiling and on the walls, then at the beginning it is necessary to sheathe the ceiling, and only then proceed to the walls;
  • if you need to cut drywall along a complex path, then first cut the length and then the width.

Remember that when working and fixing drywall, it is very important to use as many whole boards as possible. This will reduce material costs, work less and the sheathing process will go faster. Therefore, you need to carefully measure and study the surface with which you are working, and then draw up a plan for using the plates so that you have to cut them as little as possible.

If you need to attach drywall to a large area, we recommend using 3.6m boards instead of 2.5m boards. This will save you time and material.

Step 1. Use quality tools to cut drywall professionally. If the sheets are large (120 cm wide), then it is better to cut them, leaning against the wall at a slight angle. And small sheets (up to 60 cm wide) can be cut on the floor. If this is your first time cutting drywall, then it is better to practice doing it on the floor. In the beginning, you need to decide on which side to cut the drywall. To do this, make sure the drywall sheet is facing towards you. It is on this side that the incision will be made.

If you do not know the best way to cut drywall, then from our experience we can tell you that in most cases, it is best to use a good office knife. But sometimes you have to use other tools. For example a drywall hacksaw, it is convenient to use for cutting holes of various shapes.

The minimum set of tools you will need when cutting drywall.

Clever advice. If you are cutting drywall against a wall, place a few pieces of wood underneath. This will ease the cutting process and protect your fingers from damage.

Step 2. First, you need to use a tape measure to determine the size of the cut plate. Do this very carefully, otherwise the stove may simply not fit - it will be either too small or too large. Also make sure the vertical edges are centered in the battens, otherwise the joints of the slabs will not be rigid enough. Measure with a tape measure and mark in the desired place with a pencil. In our example, we want to cut the slab in half, so we make a mark in the middle.

Layout of a sheet of drywall.

Clever advice. It is very important to make accurate measurements, otherwise you will spend a lot of time and money correcting errors in the joints. Be especially careful when working alone.

Step 3. To get a perfect straight cut, use a treadmill. If you want to achieve professional-level results and you have to cut drywall often and a lot, then we advise you to get a large flight tire and not use homemade or handicraft tools.

Slide the bus over the drywall until it reaches the desired mark.

Using a racer to cut drywall

Cut drywall sheet

Step 1. Gypsum board consists of two layers of paper, which are covered on both sides with a thick layer of gypsum. This combination creates a relatively strong building material that is also fire resistant. Therefore, in order to get an accurate and high-quality cut, it is enough to walk on the plate with a sharp knife and then break it in this place. To make an incision, slide the knife over the drywall from top to bottom several times. To make a correct cut, you need to guide the knife confidently, without jerking and exactly along the marked line. When cutting through the paper layer, you need to firmly hold the tire in one position, otherwise the cut may turn out to be uneven.

The same procedure should be performed if you are less likely to drywall not on the floor, but leaning against the wall. While holding the bus down with your foot, run the knife across the drywall several times from top to bottom. It is not necessary to cut many times, this will only dull the knife blade.

Sheet with a cut paper backing.

As you can see in the picture, the cut should be perfectly straight. Otherwise, you will not be able to evenly break the slab. The goal is to completely cut through the paper layer and lightly grip the plaster.

Step 2. Now you need to break the slab along the notch. If you followed the previous steps correctly, then the drywall sheet should break along the notch. While holding the sheet with your feet, simply fold it.

Of course, there are a lot of options for how you make yourself break. It is rather difficult to explain all these procedures in two sentences, but we assure you: in practice it is very easy to do it. The most important thing is to make the correct cut. How you break it is not important.

But if you find it difficult to grab a large sheet with your hands in order to bend it, then press it down with your knee. If you are not sure if you can cut the slab well, practice on scrap sheets first.

We break the plasterboard.

Step 3. After the sheet is broken with a clerical knife, cut the paper layer on the back of the drywall board. If you break the drywall correctly, then you should have no problem cutting the back of the paper.

Cut off the cardboard layer from the outside.

Step 4. Place the cut slab at the attachment point to see how accurate the cut is. If the cut plate is slightly larger, then use a rasp to remove excess material. Remember that working with a rasp will create a lot of dust. Therefore, try to make accurate markings.

How to make holes in drywall

Next, we'll show you how to make a hole in drywall. Learning how to make holes in drywall is very important as it often needs to be done to install new outlets, switches and other fixtures. In addition, you have to cut out round or rectangular holes in order to repair damaged areas of drywall. Although it is quite easy to cut holes in drywall, in order to do it professionally, you need to use certain tools and have some skills. Therefore, we advise you to work with caution and follow our step-by-step guide exactly before getting started.

To make a hole in drywall, you need the following:

  • flight bus;
  • pencil;
  • tape measure and stationery knife;
  • drill;
  • ring drill bit;
  • jigsaw;
  • hacksaw for drywall.
  • make accurate measurements to make rectangular holes;
  • be careful not to damage pipes or electrical wires when cutting holes;
  • wear a respirator mask to cut a hole in the drywall.

Cut a rectangular hole

Step 1. Determine the place on the drywall sheet where you want to make a hole. If a socket is supposed to be installed in this hole, then in the required place you need to attach a socket box and outline its outline. To do this, use a tape measure to measure the distance from the left side of the plate to the left and right edges of the box. Also measure the distance from the bottom edge of the hob to the top and bottom extreme points of the electrical box. With these dimensions in mind, use a rail to mark the location of the box hole on the plasterboard.

We mark the sheet and determine the place for the hole.

Step 2. Drill with a large diameter drill bit and make 4 holes on the sides of the rectangle. As you can see in the picture, the holes should be made inside the rectangle and as close as possible to the cut lines.

We drill holes in the drywall for the jigsaw blade.

Clever advice. You can drill holes not on the sides but in the corners of the rectangle. The holes must be large enough to accommodate the jigsaw blade.

Step 3. By inserting a jigsaw file into each of the holes, cut a rectangular opening. Do this with great care, making sure that the file follows exactly the lines you have drawn.

Cut out a rectangular hole in the drywall.

Clever advice. Wear a respirator mask to avoid breathing dust. It is better to make the hole small than too large, as the excess can always be removed with a rasp.

Step 4. After you have cut a hole in the drywall, you need to check its suitability. To do this, insert a box from a switch or an outlet into the hole made to see if everything is well done.

Finished rectangular hole.

Clever advice. You can cut holes in already installed slabs, but there are a few things to consider here. Before performing work, make sure that there are no pipes, wires or other communications in this place.

How to make round holes in drywall

Step 1. First you need to determine how you can cut a hole in the drywall. There are several ways to do this. To do this, you can, for example, use a crown, ballerina or small hacksaw.

A set of crowns that can be used to cut holes in drywall.

Before you start making holes, you must make the appropriate markings. To do this, you need to determine and outline the center of the future hole.

We outline the center of the future hole.

Step 2. Select the correct size bit and attach it to the drill chuck. Now place the core bit in the center of the cut hole and start drilling. For a quality hole, we recommend cutting at medium speed and gently pressing on the drill.

Clever advice. Do not press too hard on the drill to prevent the bit from getting stuck in the cast. To make a quality hole, you need to be patient.

Making holes with a hand tool

Method 1. You can cut a round hole in drywall using a regular knife. First you need to outline the shape of the future hole. To do this, you can attach a box from an outlet, switch or any other round object to a drywall sheet and outline the outline of the future hole. Then the same contour should be marked on the back of the sheet. Both the first and second contours must match.

We outline the outline of the future hole.

Then, using a knife, you need to completely cut through the cardboard layer. After you have cut through the paper layer on both sides, lightly tap the plaster with a hammer. The hole is ready. Now check if the electrical box goes in there.

Method 2. If you want to make a hole in an already installed drywall board, then you need to use another method. Draw a circle on the drywall by tracing the outline of the switch or socket box with a pencil. Before cutting a hole in drywall, make sure there are no pipes or electrical wires in the area. Also make sure the box will be in a suitable location.

Then, using a drywall hacksaw, cut a hole in the slab. To make the hole straight, punch through the drywall in one place and, starting from there, start sawing.

Video: How and how to cut drywall

Lesson 4. How to cut drywall at home

In this article, we will learn how to cut drywall at home. In the previous lesson, we completely made the frame to which you can already attach the plasterboard. But the sheets of plasterboard themselves must first be cut to size. How this is done, now we will understand.

How and what to cut drywall at home

The answer to the question of how to cut drywall at home is very simple - for this we need an ordinary sharp painting knife.

It is highly undesirable to use an electric jigsaw for cutting drywall.

How to cut a part of it from a sheet

So, we put a sheet of drywall with the inner (back) side on the floor (table) or put it upright, leaning against the wall, with the inner (back) side to the wall, the outer (front) side to you. Using a tape measure and a pencil on the outer (front) side of the gypsum board, mark the distance that needs to be cut. We make two marks at the top and bottom of the sheet with a pencil:

Then we take the rule (building level, flat rail), apply it to the applied marks and mark the line.

It is better to repeat it twice.

After we cut through the paper, we need to break the sheet along the cut. To do this, take a sheet, turn it over to us with the inside. We hold one part of the sheet in the left hand, the second (cut off) in the right. With a moderate movement of the right hand towards ourselves (you can also help with the knee synchronously), we break the sheet along the cut made:

The sheet broke exactly along the cut line:

An even cut is ready.

How to cut a sheet

But what to do if you need to make a cutout in the drywall sheet:

or holes, cuts, for example, for utilities, pipes. After all, if you also just draw a knife along each of the three sides of this rectangle, and then start breaking it out, then nothing will come of it. If we apply force, a break will occur at all along the outlines we need. So how to be? Here we need to act differently.

To do this, take a knife on drywall in common parlance "Fox":

and saw through two sides:

And we just cut the third side with a painting knife - only paper:

Hit the spot lightly:

It remains just to cut the paper on the other side with a knife:

Below is a link to a video about another drywall knife. I personally did not work with him, but judging by the video, it cuts quite interesting. In principle, if you are working with any tool for the first time, then, of course, you need to adapt:

In this article, we learned how and what to cut drywall at home.

Plasterboard structures appear more and more often in our homes, offices, schools, shops ... it can be a simple wall or a decorative element of any type. When assembling any element of the interior from gypsum plasterboard, cutting of the material is required (even when installing simple partitions and ceilings). What is the cutting of drywall and what additional tools are needed for this, how many ways are there? You will find the answer to these and other questions in this article.

A professional installer will always find how to cut a sheet or cut off a part of it. Even if the main purpose tool is out of order in the process. But in addition to cutting objects, an auxiliary tool is also needed.

What you need to cut drywall:

  1. Construction knife. It is very similar to a clerical knife (both externally and in terms of the mechanism of the device), however, it is more durable. With long-term use, the only part that fails is the blade, which is easy to replace. This tool, regardless of the company and manufacturer, is very versatile, so you do not have to select blades of a certain brand. A sheet of gypsum board can be cut with a clerical knife, if it is required once.
  2. Drywall hacksaw. This object with a narrow blade and serrated edges up to 18 cm long, looks like a kitchen saw-knife, as its blade is soldered into the handle. The blade is made of high-strength steel, so straight and curly cuts can be made with a knife without much effort. It is lightweight, compact and very easy to use. This knife is versatile, since in addition to the gypsum board, it easily copes with small wooden blanks. The shape of the drywall knife teeth can be different, depending on the company. But this does not significantly affect the process of cutting the material itself. At home, the gypsum board can be cut with a simple hacksaw for metal, but this is quite difficult and should be done with extreme caution.
  3. Electric jigsaw. This tool is mostly used for cutting wood, MDF, chipboard, fiberboard, OSB, etc., however, if you install the blades for metal (which has smaller teeth), then everything will work out. A blade with fine teeth does not tear the cardboard layer of the sheet and there will be less chips. With a jigsaw, you can make both straight and curly cuts.
  4. Plane. This tool is used not to cut a sheet or cut out a certain element of any structure being built, but already at the final stage. With a plane for chamfering or a simple roughing, the places of the cuts of the drywall sheet are processed. This is necessary for further processing of the joints.
  5. Roulette, pencil, ruler. To cut the sheet correctly and evenly, you need accurate measurement and marking. Especially when it comes to curly products for decoration. For a straight line, instead of a ruler and a pencil, you can use a chopping thread, but you will have to work hard with curly markings. If you need to cut an even circle, the pencil is tied to a rope, the other end of which is fixed in the middle of the sheet, and this device is used as a compass. Semicircular bends are marked in the same way, where the length of the rope depends on the radius of the circle.

A cutter or electric drill with special attachments is used to make holes in drywall. For example, for sockets, switches, etc. Let's consider this type of tool in more detail.

How is a drywall cutter used

To make holes of any geometric shape and grooves, and also to process the edges of a drywall sheet, a disk or profile router is used. The disc cutter is capable of making only grooves, but the second option is better due to its versatility: in addition to grooves, it is able to cut holes of any geometric shape, as well as process the edge of the sheet.

Milling is the processing of any material by cutting. Often, the cutter is replaced with a conventional electric drill with the corresponding nozzles of different diameters (depending on the purpose for which the hole is needed).

Cutters have certain varieties. For making radius and rounded surfaces, a U-shaped tool is used, and for sharp corners, a V-shaped cutter.

Wall drywall: how to cut correctly

Any kind of drywall has a specific structure. As a rule, this is a gypsum core or filler, pasted over on all sides with durable cardboard. Depending on the type of material, cardboard and filler may have a different structure, but this does not affect the cutting methods. For an even cut, it is enough to walk over the sheet with a GCR knife and make a break.

Making an even cut

Before cutting through the drywall sheet, you need to make an accurate markup, draw a line. Next, attach any even object (ruler, rule or profile) along the drawn line and draw a knife along the line several times. This should be done without jerking, confidently so that no chips and notches are formed in the material.

To prevent the cut from being crooked, the ruler must be kept exactly and in one position.

You can cut drywall either by spreading it out on the floor or leaning it against the wall. The main condition is that the cut is perfectly even, otherwise it will not be possible to break the sheet correctly. How to make a break correctly? To do this, turn the sheet over and bend it in half along the cut line, and then draw a knife along the resulting bend on the cardboard.

Curly cutting

If the elements of the future design imply smooth lines and bends, the material is cut with a jigsaw or a hacksaw for metal (which is much more difficult). In order to cut out an element with rounded shapes, the sheet must be laid out on the table. The edge of the sheet should hang over the floor. After the exact marking has been made, a jigsaw is drawn along the drawn line, this must be done from oneself, and not toward oneself, so that the power tool does not cause injury.

How drywall is cut: making holes

What are drywall holes for? Walls with niches, hatches for communications or the installation of junction boxes, as well as socket boxes, all this provides for making various kinds of holes in plasterboard plates.


How to properly cut drywall:

  1. The holes are rectangular or square. First, you need to determine the exact place on the sheet where cutting is planned. Using an electric drill, 4 holes are drilled with a large-diameter drill, along the contour of the cut out figure. Next, the opening is cut with a jigsaw through the holes made.
  2. Round hole. The most common way is to use special drill bits. The layout of the sheet is quite simple: you only need to mark the center of the future hole by making the appropriate measurements. The crown with the required diameter is attached to the chuck of the electric drill, the drill of the crown is placed on the mark, the average speed is selected and the hole is smoothly cut.

It is important not to press down on the drill sharply so that the crown does not get caught in the material.

Handy tool: how to cut drywall at home

For even cutting of the material, you can even use scissors or a simple blade, clerical or kitchen knife, using them like a drywall knife. Figured cutting can be done with a conventional hacksaw for metal. The principle of its use is similar to using a jigsaw, but there are differences. You can start sawing the sheet with a whole hacksaw, but the handle will not go into the depth of the sheet, so you will have to remove it and continue cutting only with the blade.

Round holes can also be cut with a regular knife, for this you need:

  • Mark the place of the slot on the front and back sides of the plate;
  • Outline the shape of the hole by tracing the outline on both sides of the sheet;
  • Cut a layer of cardboard with a knife on both sides;
  • Tap the plaster lightly with a mallet.

In order to cut a hole in the installed sheet of drywall, a place is selected and the outline of the figure is outlined and a hacksaw is used for drywall.

Tool review: how drywall is cut (video)

It may not always be possible to cut the drywall sheet perfectly the first time. If you are unsure of your abilities, practice on scrap material to avoid ruining the entire sheet.

Happy renovation!

It is better to select high-quality and practical tools for working with plasterboard sheets When assembling any element of the interior from gypsum plasterboard, cutting of the material is required (even when installing simple partitions and ceilings). What is the cutting of drywall and what additional tools are needed for this, how many ways are there? You will find the answer to these and other questions in this article.

A professional installer will always find how to cut a sheet or cut off a part of it. Even if the main purpose tool is out of order in the process. But in addition to cutting objects, an auxiliary tool is also needed.

Before starting to work with drywall sheets, you should prepare all the necessary tools and materials in advance.

What you need to cut drywall:

  1. Construction knife. It is very similar to a clerical knife (both in appearance and in the mechanism of the device), however, it is more durable. With long-term use, the only part that fails is the blade, which is easy to replace. This tool, regardless of the company and manufacturer, is very versatile, so you do not have to select blades of a certain brand. A sheet of gypsum board can be cut with a clerical knife, if it is required once.
  2. Drywall hacksaw. This object with a narrow blade and serrated edges up to 18 cm long, looks like a kitchen saw-knife, as its blade is soldered into the handle. The blade is made of high-strength steel, so straight and curly cuts can be made with a knife without much effort. It is lightweight, compact and very easy to use. This knife is versatile, since in addition to gypsum board, it easily copes with small wooden blanks. The shape of the drywall knife teeth can be different, depending on the company. But this does not significantly affect the process of cutting the material itself. At home, the gypsum board can be cut with a simple hacksaw for metal, but this is quite difficult and should be done with extreme caution.
  3. Electric jigsaw. This tool is mostly used for cutting wood, MDF, chipboard, fiberboard, OSB, etc., however, if you install the blades for metal (which has smaller teeth), then everything will work out. A blade with fine teeth does not tear the cardboard layer of the sheet and there will be less chips. With a jigsaw, you can make both straight and curly cuts.
  4. Plane. This tool is used not to cut a sheet or cut out a certain element of any structure being built, but already at the final stage. With a plane for chamfering or a simple roughing, the places of the cuts of the drywall sheet are processed. This is necessary for further processing of the joints.
  5. Roulette, pencil, ruler. To cut the sheet correctly and evenly, you need accurate measurement and marking. Especially when it comes to curly products for decoration. For a straight line, instead of a ruler and a pencil, you can use a chopping thread, but you will have to work hard with curly markings. If you need to cut an even circle, the pencil is tied to a rope, the other end of which is fixed in the middle of the sheet, and this device is used according to the compass principle. Semicircular bends are marked in the same way, where the length of the rope depends on the radius of the circle.

A cutter or electric drill with special attachments is used to make holes in drywall. For example, for sockets, switches, etc. Let's consider this type of tool in more detail.

To make holes of any geometric shape and grooves, and also to process the edges of a drywall sheet, a disk or profile router is used. The disc cutter is capable of making only grooves, but the second option is better due to its versatility: in addition to grooves, it is able to cut holes of any geometric shape, as well as process the edge of the sheet.

In order to quickly make a hole in the drywall, you can use a special router

Milling is the processing of any material by cutting. Often, the cutter is replaced with a conventional electric drill with the corresponding nozzles of different diameters (depending on the purpose for which the hole is needed).

Cutters have certain varieties. For making radius and rounded surfaces, a U-shaped tool is used, and for sharp corners, a V-shaped cutter.

Any kind of drywall has a specific structure. As a rule, this is a gypsum core or filler, pasted over on all sides with durable cardboard. Depending on the type of material, cardboard and filler may have a different structure, but this does not affect the cutting methods. For an even cut, it is enough to walk over the sheet with a GCR knife and make a break.

Making an even cut

Before cutting through the drywall sheet, you need to make an accurate markup, draw a line. Next, attach any even object (ruler, rule or profile) along the drawn line and draw a knife along the line several times. This should be done without jerking, confidently so that no chips and notches are formed in the material.

Accurate markings on the sheet will help you cut drywall correctly and evenly

To prevent the cut from being crooked, the ruler must be kept exactly and in one position.

You can cut drywall either by spreading it out on the floor or leaning it against the wall. The main condition is that the cut is perfectly even, otherwise it will not be possible to break the sheet correctly. How to make a break correctly? To do this, turn the sheet over and bend it in half along the cut line, and then draw a knife along the resulting bend on the cardboard.

Curly cutting

If the elements of the future design imply smooth lines and bends, the material is cut with a jigsaw or a hacksaw for metal (which is much more difficult). In order to cut out an element with rounded shapes, the sheet must be laid out on the table. The edge of the sheet should hang over the floor. After the exact marking has been made, a jigsaw is drawn along the drawn line, this must be done from oneself, and not toward oneself, so that the power tool does not cause injury.

How drywall is cut: making holes

What are drywall holes for? Walls with niches, hatches for communications or the installation of junction boxes, as well as socket boxes, all this provides for making various kinds of holes in plasterboard plates.

You can also make even holes with a drill.

How to properly cut drywall:

  1. The holes are rectangular or square. First, you need to determine the exact place on the sheet where cutting is planned. Using an electric drill, 4 holes are drilled with a large-diameter drill, along the contour of the cut out figure. Next, the opening is cut with a jigsaw through the holes made.
  2. Round hole. The most common way is to use special drill bits. The layout of the sheet is quite simple: you only need to mark the center of the future hole by making the appropriate measurements. The crown with the required diameter is attached to the chuck of the electric drill, the drill of the crown is placed on the mark, the average speed is selected and the hole is smoothly cut.

It is important not to press down on the drill sharply so that the crown does not get caught in the material.

Handy tool: how to cut drywall at home

For even cutting of the material, you can even use scissors or a simple blade, clerical or kitchen knife, using them like a drywall knife. Figured cutting can be done with a conventional hacksaw for metal. The principle of its use is similar to using a jigsaw, but there are differences. You can start sawing the sheet with a whole hacksaw, but the handle will not go into the depth of the sheet, so you will have to remove it and continue cutting only with the blade.

You can cut drywall yourself, the main thing is to do it correctly and very carefully

Round holes can also be cut with a regular knife, for this you need:

  • Mark the place of the slot on the front and back sides of the plate;
  • Outline the shape of the hole by tracing the outline on both sides of the sheet;
  • Cut a layer of cardboard with a knife on both sides;
  • Tap the plaster lightly with a mallet.

In order to cut a hole in the installed sheet of drywall, a place is selected and the outline of the figure is outlined and a hacksaw is used for drywall.

Tool review: how drywall is cut (video)

It may not always be possible to cut the drywall sheet perfectly the first time. If you are unsure of your abilities, practice on scrap material to avoid ruining the entire sheet.

Happy renovation!

homeli.ru

Drywall cutting

Newbies in the construction business do not know how and how to cut drywall in the best way. After all, any work, whether it is the creation of a ceiling structure, partitions or a complex decorative element, requires knowledge of the rules for cutting gypsum boards and strict adherence to them in practice. Different tools are used for these purposes. It all depends on the chosen cutting method. So, how to cut drywall at home, the recommendations below will tell you.

Introducing the toolbox

The obligatory list of tools for cutting gypsum fiber with your own hands includes three groups of objects

1. Devices for marking on a sheet of gypsum board - a simple pencil, tape measure, long ruler.

2. Actually cutting and sawing devices.

  • Knife. You can cut GVLV with a clerical knife, as well as with a specialized construction knife with a double-sided replaceable blade (suitable for denser materials).
  • Hacksaw. It is better if it is a tool for metal processing than wood.
  • Electric jigsaw. Ideal for cutting rounded elements. Least of all, high-quality files for metal with a fine tooth leave chips at the ends of drywall.
  • Electric drill. Needed for making holes. For gaps of large d, round crowns (which cut into the core of the door snap locks) and pen drills are required.

3. Devices for processing edges:

  • roughing plane;
  • chamfering plane.

This list clearly shows how the home craftsmen cut drywall. Of course, it is far from complete. The arsenal of experienced craftsmen may include professional equipment, for example, a special cutter for GVL. However, for those who are working with the material for the first time, this set is quite enough. To better understand how to cut drywall correctly, you need to clearly understand the structure of this material.

The structure and purpose of drywall

Gypsum plasterboard is a layer-by-layer combination of two types of materials - gypsum (inner content) and sheets of thick cardboard glued to it on both sides. It is clear that if the cardboard layers are damaged, it is not difficult to cut the rest.

Therefore, in order to be able to quickly cut a sheet of gypsum board, it is not enough to know the best way to cut drywall. It is important to know the basic principle of this action: after the continuous smooth cutting of drywall is carried out, the second step immediately follows - breaking the sheet.

Sawing drywall, like any solid porous material, is not difficult. It also lends itself well to drilling.

The functions of the material make it possible to differentiate it into varieties: moisture-resistant, fire-resistant, standard, increased strength (for example, gypsum board or gypsum board made using Knauf technology), acoustic gypsum board, etc.

Despite the large assortment of GK, panels of any of its varieties lend themselves well to dividing into parts using the available material at hand.

Choice of methods for cutting HA

What method of cutting drywall to resort to will become clear after studying the options available for these purposes.

Standard cut

Cutting the sheet in a straight line is the easiest way to cut. It boils down to the following:

GVL is placed on a hard and flat surface. Then mark the future cutting line.

Whichever knife is chosen, they should be cut strictly, placing a ruler on the side. An uneven cut is guaranteed if you decide to handle without a ruler. Cutting starts from the back (there is a thicker cardboard layer). The front part of the Civil Code is somewhat different, as it is intended for finishing work. When cutting, they try to deepen the knife as much as possible into the plaster content.

At the end of the process, the GK is turned over and bent in the direction of the solid (without a cutting line) side. Plaster that is not hit by the knife will break in the required direction. The cardboard is cut from the opposite side along the formed fold line.

It is not particularly important which side to start cutting drywall from. However, on a flat, dense surface, this is much easier to do than when holding the GL in weight.

Before you cut drywall with improvised devices, you should familiarize yourself with two more types of simple cutting, feasible for independent implementation.

Double-sided cutting. Most often, cutting in the form of any rectangle is performed in this way. With a hacksaw, one side is sawed, the other is simply cut with a blade. After that, the material is broken, and the cardboard is cut from the opposite side (as in a simple cut). The finished cut is brought to perfection using an edging planer.

Uneven cutting. To cut material along uneven lines, you must first prepare a drawing.

Cut to a given geometry

Shaped cutting of drywall is used in the situation of creating unique shapes for a specific structural element. This procedure is more complicated, and you cannot do without basic experience and a sufficient arsenal of tools.

When curly cutting, the material is also marked first. If you need to draw a circle, but there is no compass at hand, then they arm themselves with a needle and thread and a tied pencil.

For curly cutting of HA in different situations, we can use one of the methods described below.

Option one. Describes the process when a hacksaw is selected as the tool. Manipulating a hacksaw is akin to working with a serrated knife and a handle. Using a drywall hacksaw, you can cut out fragments with any non-trivial shapes (for example, butterflies or flowers).

Option two. An electric drill with a cylindrical nozzle allows you to create even circles of small diameter in drywall. The circle is not marked here, but limited to a mark in the desired area.

Option three. For sawing GVL with an electric jigsaw, a clear marking of the contour of the required shape is performed. Priority in choosing a jigsaw is given when the diameter of the circle to be made should be greater than the diameter of the electric drill crown, and the rounded shape lines are not limited to a circle.

Option four. The most primitive, when the choice of tool comes down to a knife and a hammer. Drywall is cut along the outlined border. At the same time, they try to press on the blade as hard as possible.

Then the HA is placed on a flat surface with a depression. Moreover, the detachable part of the element must fall into this hole. It is less effective to support the sheet against the wall. Then hit with a hammer in the middle of the separated fragment. The part to be removed should break. A layer of cardboard is cut from the bottom, leveling the ends as necessary. The GC masters strongly discourage people with no experience from using this technique. Since you have to spend a lot of plasterboard sheets for stuffing your hand and working out the pressure.

The nuances of making circles

Circles in the ceiling structure are made primarily for mounting luminaires. The easiest way is to cut a circle of a given diameter in the gypsum fiber with a blade. And carefully knock out the middle part with a hammer. However, it will be easier to carry out what was conceived will be a drill with special equipment - a cylindrical nozzle. The same one that is used when cutting into the door of the lock mechanism with a latch.

Cutting after installation of gypsum board

Of course, it is more convenient to cut material that has not yet been fixed. But in practice, there are situations when cutting off the excess is required after mounting the sheets to the frame. Such trimming is due to the fact that the sheathed surfaces meet window slopes or corners on their way.

The sheet is fixed on the wall, leaving a small margin of size. Already on the wall, remove excess centimeters.

It is important to make sure that the HA is securely fixed to the frame. The cut is made on the side that is in contact with the wall. The cutting movements are repeated several times, following the markings. In this case, they try to "squeeze out" unnecessary parts of the material. The sheet is cut from the other side.

Having studied these methods, beginners will understand how to cut drywall with a minimum set of tools at home. If you need to cut large quantities of HA, these options will not work. The best solution would be to turn to professionals.

izgipsokartona.com

How to cut a drywall sheet and what tool is needed

When working with drywall, many ask the question: how to cut drywall correctly? This process will not be difficult if you properly prepare the tool and apply markings to the material. How to cut drywall at home so that the waste is minimized? Which tool should you have on hand? Let's take a closer look.


Drywall Cutting Tools Back to Table of Contents

Marking

In order to correctly apply the markings, you need to measure out the plane on which the sheets of gypsum board will be fixed. Then, using a tape measure or ruler, it is worth transferring the dimensions to the plate, tracing a line with a pencil. Double-check measurements before starting cutting. This will help you avoid making mistakes.

Back to the table of contents

Tools and material

Before you start cutting drywall at home, you need to prepare a tool. For this you will need:

  • drywall;
  • roulette;
  • flight bus;
  • stationery knife.

Important: it is better to cut drywall only with a new, sharp, stationery knife.

Back to the table of contents

We cut a sheet of drywall in a straight line

A drywall board is a sandwich in which a gypsum core is surrounded on both sides by thick cardboard. The material is quite durable, it can be moisture resistant and fireproof. You can cut drywall from any side. It is not difficult to cut the material, cut through one layer of cardboard with a rather sharp blade and break it.

It is worth remembering that the knife must be guided confidently and strictly along the line that was drawn earlier. If the first time it was not possible to cut the cardboard, then it is carried out in this place several times until the cardboard is completely cut. The tread must be stationary while cutting. It is pressed tightly against the material, otherwise the cut will turn out to be uneven. The paper layer is cut with a slight grip on the gypsum board. This will help break the material evenly, without chipping.
Once you have cut one layer of cardboard on the board, you can proceed to the next step - break the material along the cut. If you did everything correctly, then it will not be difficult to hold the sheet with your feet and fold it in the opposite direction from the cut.

You can attract a second person if the layer of material is large. In principle, it does not matter how the material is broken, the main thing in this matter is a smooth and high-quality cut. Once you've folded the drywall along the cut, you need to carefully cut the second layer of cardboard. In fact, cutting drywall is easy. If you are in doubt that this process will be done correctly, try cutting the material in a small piece first.

Read also

Expanding the doorway with your own hands

Back to the table of contents

How to make a round hole in the gypsum board

It is important to learn how to correctly make holes in the sheets of material, since installation often involves the installation of sockets or switches. In addition, sometimes it is necessary to repair damaged areas in drywall. To make holes professionally, you should use a special tool and have some skill. Consider how to cut drywall at home, step by step:


Advice! You should not rush and press hard on the instrument - this can lead to damage to the material, since the crown can simply be clamped in drywall.

Round hole without the aid of a power tool

This is the second way and it will take a lot of effort. The markings are made as in the first option, while you need to draw a circle of the required diameter with a compass. Once the markings are ready, you need to make a small hole at the edge of the circle. It can be drilled with a brace. Then you need to take a thin hacksaw with sharp teeth, insert it into the hole and start sawing the drywall strictly along the line.

Back to the table of contents

Cut a rectangular hole

The first step is to determine on the drywall plate where the hole will be.
To do this, measure the desired distance from the left edge of the drywall sheet and put a mark. If it is supposed to make a hole for a bar for several sockets, then a bar is inserted to this mark and outlined.

After that, you need to set the geometry - the bar should be strictly level. Draw the sides of the hole well.

Then you need to drill holes in the corners of the rectangle, it is worth remembering that the drill must be of such a size that the jigsaw saw freely goes into the hole in the material. A saw is inserted into each hole and a cut is made. This should be done very carefully, without strong pressure. The file should follow the line.
Important! When working with drywall, you should wear a mask or respirator so as not to breathe dust. It is better to make the hole a little smaller. It is always easier to make a large one from a small hole, for this it is enough to walk along the edges of the hole with a rasp.

Once the work is done, you need to inspect the hole made. Take a bar and try it on, preferably along with the sockets, so you know exactly how suitable the hole is. If necessary, a hole can be made in an already finished structure, only you need to know for sure that there are no communication systems at the installation site. In the video, the wizard shows how to make a square hole in drywall.

The industrial production of drywall started in 1917 in Great Britain. However, a US resident came up with a new building material. August Sackett was granted a patent back in 1894. The American fastened 10 paper sheets with powdered gypsum.

The result is a plate 5 millimeters wide. In modern drywall, the width is at least 1.5 millimeters larger, and then provided that the core is reinforced with fiberglass.

Standard sheets rise by 10-13 millimeters. The question arises of how to cut such a thickness, because in the work, drywall often has to be adjusted to the frame. Let's describe several ways to divide the plates.

We cut drywall with an electric jigsaw

A jigsaw is a tool with a reciprocating saw motion. Simply put, we are talking about a miniature version of an electric saw. When working with drywall, it allows you to:

Make curly cuts

Holes inside the sheet

Extremely precise edges without jags and contour drops

We cut drywall with a jigsaw

Jigsaw cut drywall along a predetermined contour. Since gypsum dust will be knocked out from under the blade, we make the basting with a black marker. It can also be seen under whitish sediments.

The sheets are marked out from the back. However, drywall is only the basis of structures, covered after tiles, wallpaper, plaster. Therefore, the side of the markup is not important. Let's get started:

  • Place the gypsum sheet on stools or bricks, leaving the space under the cutting line free. Also, stress should not fall on the cutting line. Its tearing forces will degrade the cut quality. The drywall is supported on the basis because of the flexibility of the material. Without support, the sheet can break under pressure in unexpected places.
  • We install the jigsaw at the start of the cutting line or bring the drywall to the tool holder, because it can be not only autonomous, but also stationary. Also, a number of jigsaws have a laser sight. It helps to “follow exactly the markings. In the case of working in the twilight, the backlight will help out. It is also not found on all jigsaws.
  • It remains to turn on the jigsaw and smoothly lead along the markings.
  • At the end, we will process the edges with sandpaper or a plane, a file.

Understand, how to cut drywall with a jigsaw costs only if you have a tool. The most simple models cost from 1100 rubles. If the expenses are unjustified or there is no already purchased jigsaw at hand, curly cuts are made ...

How easy and simple to cut drywall

Click on the word MORE Official ...

We cut drywall with a hacksaw

A hacksaw is also a kind of saw, but already hand-held. The tool costs, usually, several hundred rubles. The hacksaw blade is different. You need an even one with fine teeth. This is a hacksaw for metal.

We cut drywall with a hacksaw

When working with drywall, it gives the smoothest cut. The thinness of the saw blade allows it to bend easily inside the sheet, following exactly the curved markings. Let's start the process:

  • Having marked out the drywall and making holes in the corners with a drill or knife for the entrance of the hacksaw blade.
  • By inserting a hacksaw into the slot and sawing to the opposite point.
  • Having processed the edges of the cut with improvised means.

Which side to cut drywall hacksaw does not matter, but in what place is important. When cutting a sheet from the edge, the tool gives a straight, neat line, although it takes a lot of time. The through holes on the drywall sheet of the hacksaw are uneven. It is better to use a jigsaw here.

We cut drywall with a mounting knife

The assembly knife contains replaceable blades. There are blades for cutting various materials, the protrusion of the metal part outside the handle is adjustable. There are the same stationery models, but they are low-power for working with drywall.

You can even cut drywall with a clerical knife.

An assembly knife costs from several hundred rubles. The tool is good when it is decided how to cut drywall at home in a straight line. Curly lines with an assembly knife are obtained anyhow. Let's get started:

  • We draw drywall according to the previously made marks.
  • We attach a steel profile for plasterboard or a metal ruler to one side of the marking. They will prevent the knife from going to the side during cutting.
  • We put the blade to the edge of the marking and drive along it with a pressure of about 3 kilograms.

The knife should not go through the sheet. Cut drywall correctly Is to lead a blade with a depression of about half a centimeter. The rest will break along the line when we bend the panel with our hands.

The cut should be at the top. To fold the drywall, you will need to support it. You can just put the sheet on the floor, or you can put it on chairs or the edge of a table.

The nuances of cutting drywall, depending on its type

Drywall sheets are specialized, for example, waterproof. The paper is impregnated with polymers. They close the pores in the cardboard, making it resistant to moisture and reliable protection for the inside of the compressed gypsum powder.

However, even waterproof drywall has no edge protection. Accordingly, the workplace should not be wet. Once in the gypsum, water will cause it to swell, and the geometry of the building sheet will change.

Arched drywall

Arched plasterboard stands separately. It is as thin as possible, only 6.5 millimeters in thickness. It would seem that such a sheet is easier to cut than a centimeter. However, there is fiberglass inside the arched panel.

It reinforces drywall and gives the flexibility necessary to deform a sheet designed for curved doorways, ceilings.

Because of the fiberglass inside, the arched material is more difficult to cut than simple drywall. Better to use a power tool. The edger or hand file “goes hard.

General rules for cutting drywall

The gypsum microparticles inside the cardboard cover are light and volatile. Breaking out from under the paper during cutting, the mineral suspension rushes into the air, getting into the eyes, and settling in the respiratory tract. Therefore, it is advisable to put on a protective mask.

It is recommended to lay a plastic wrap on the floor under the blade to be cut, lightly sprinkling with water from a spray bottle. Moisture will help the gypsum particles flying from above to swell, become heavy and sink onto the polyethylene. At the end of the work, it remains to be rolled up and thrown away. Especially thrifty people wash the film in the bathroom, dry it and reuse it.

If gypsum dust settles directly on the floor, it will be problematic to clean the powder. Divorces will remain. If there is a porous coating on the floor, such as matte porcelain stoneware, particles of gypsum will be hammered into it.

A solution of warm water with sunflower oil at the rate of half a glass of product per 10 liters becomes salutary. After the floors are wiped with vinegar solution.

The method is not suitable for glossy surfaces. It is better to do there with a solution of potassium permanganate. It is added to warm water until it turns light pink.

We cut the profile for drywall

Since work has begun with the hero of the article, the question is also relevant, how to cut a profile for drywall... It is used to create a frame for paper-mineral sheets.

Attach them to the profile with self-tapping screws. Accordingly, the drywall covers the profile base. You do not need to focus on the accuracy of cutting steel rods. The sheets will hide their unsightlyness.

You can cut the profile with metal scissors

To cut a profile for drywall, 3 tools are used:

Metal scissors. They are good for cutting sheet steel. Working with U-shaped profiles for gypsum sheets is inconvenient, but profitable. The manual version of the tool resembling wire cutters costs from 200 rubles. Also, the inconvenience of working with scissors smooths out their independence from the mains and noiselessness.

Electric jigsaw. Cuts accurately and quickly. It is convenient to work with the tool only when the profile is rigidly fixed. It is made of thin steel. If this "goes under the jigsaw blade, the cut will turn out to be uneven.

Miniature grinder. When working with a grinder, the profile is laid on a bend. In other words, the part to be cut should hang above the air and bend down under its own weight as it is cut. The rest of the profile rests on a chair, table.

Ease of handling is dwarfed by the noise generated by the power tool. However, you can wear headphones. Of the mandatory protective equipment, glasses are worth mentioning.

We cut the profile with a small grinder

Chips can fly off the steel being processed. It can get in your eyes, damaging them. Such pieces of metal are called dross and are removed in emergency rooms.

The danger of cutting a profile with an electric tool is not only detrimental to human health, but also to the decoration of the apartment. Hot shavings fly off the steel.

We bend and cut drywall with an improvised tool at home

Plasterboard is widely used for the manufacture of structures such as ceilings, partitions, various shelves. But, since the sheets of plasterboard have standard sizes, they have to be cut.

It is not difficult to mark the sheet, but here's how to cut it correctly so as not to spoil it, because the core of the sheet is still gypsum, which is characterized by increased fragility? And if you need to make an arch or some other curved structure? Can drywall be bent? And, if so, how?

Don't worry. All these questions have long been answered. It is possible to successfully cut and bend drywall. Our task is to figure out how and how to do it right.

How can you cut drywall

Unlike professional builders and repairmen who use a wide variety of tools, you have to use improvised tools at home. But the person undertaking the repair usually already has everything he needs to work. Moreover, no special devices are needed.

The following tools can be used to cut drywall boards:

  • A ruler, tape measure, pencil are necessary for accurate measurements and layout of the sheet. A compass may be needed to mark small holes, and a piece of rope with a pencil attached to one end (an impromptu compass that can be used to beat off an arc of any radius) will be needed for large arcs.

  • A construction knife (or a clerical knife, if it is durable). It is a versatile tool and the only replacement part is the blade. Stock up on replacement blades ahead of time so you don't have to head out to the store in the midst of work.
  • Jigsaw - usually used for cutting wood and wood-based panels, but it is also suitable for drywall, you just have to install the blade for metal (it has smaller teeth and cuts plasterboard better). With the help of a jigsaw, you can make not only straight cuts, but also curly cuts.
  • Planer - it is used not for cutting sheets, but for the subsequent processing of their edges. On the cuts, it is imperative to remove the chamfers - this will allow you to qualitatively seal the joints of the sheets after installing the structure.
  • Drywall hacksaw - you can do without it, but with it, some operations can be performed faster. This hacksaw resembles a saw blade with a rather narrow blade and serrated edges. The knife blade made of high-strength steel is soldered into the handle and allows you to make any cuts (straight and curly) without much effort. The knife is very comfortable. If you buy such a tool, you can later use it for cutting small pieces of wood.
  • An electric drill or cutter with various attachments will make it easy to cut round holes of different diameters in the plate.

We cut the gypsum board in a straight line

Immediately, we note that in order to reduce material waste, it is necessary to carry out very accurate measurements of the room and use as many whole slabs as possible during installation.

Drywall should be cut only in cases where there are no other options.

Therefore, you need to create a plan for the layout of sheets on the surface in advance, and outline the places where sheets of non-standard sizes and shapes will be needed.

Professionals can easily cut gypsum boards both on the floor and leaning against the wall. But if you have not had to do this before, then it is better to put the sheet on the floor face up - it will be along it that the cut will be made.

The front side can be easily distinguished from the back:

  • the marking of the sheets is usually located on the back side;
  • the front side and side edges of the sheets usually have the same color;
  • the chemical composition of the front side is different, the facing cardboard contains more cellulose, which reduces the consumption of finishing materials.

The slab is cut as follows:

  • Press the ruler firmly against the marked line and draw along it with a knife several times.
  • The knife must be guided confidently, avoiding jerks, cutting through the layer of paper and grabbing the plaster a little. Make sure that the ruler does not move.
  • After that, the plate is cracked along the cut, bending it in the opposite direction to the cut.
  • Then with a construction knife you need to cut through the cardboard layer on the other side. If the plate is broken correctly, then there will be no problems at this stage.
  • Attach the prepared sheet to the installation site in order to check the accuracy of the cut. If the size is a little too large, then the excess can be removed with a rasp (but this will generate a large amount of gypsum dust).
  • Process the sections with a plane, chamfering.

How to cut round and rectangular holes

It is often necessary to make holes in the sheet for pipes, sockets or switches.

To do this, you need to mark their locations on the sheet using a tape measure.

Rectangular holes:

  • Accurately measure the edge of the hole from both sides of the sheet, and from the top and bottom. Contour the cut.
  • Next, with a drill with a thick drill, you need to make 4 holes on the sides of the marked rectangle - a jigsaw file should pass through them. They should be located within the rectangle as close to the cutting lines as possible.
  • Insert a file alternately into each of the holes and cut the opening. You need to work very carefully, strictly along the lined lines.
  • Once you've got the hole, check how well the switch box or outlet fits into it.
  • Finish the edges with a rasp if necessary.

Round holes:

  • For this purpose, you can use a small drill or hacksaw attachment.
  • Draw the center of the future hole on the sheet.
  • Attach the correct size bit to the drill chuck.
  • The drill bit of the crown must be installed in the center of the hole and drilled by gently pressing on the drill (if you press hard, the bit can get stuck in the plaster). It is better to use the medium speed of the tool for this.

If there is no drill and nozzles, then you can make a round hole with a knife, but this is not so convenient.

We make the hole with a knife like this:

  • Draw the outlines of the future hole on both sides of the sheet (and make no mistake).
  • Then use a knife to cut through the cardboard layer on both sides.
  • After that, you need to lightly knock on the plaster with a hammer, knocking it out.
  • Check how well the box or pipe fits into the hole.

Any curved shapes with smooth lines are cut along the markings using a jigsaw. In its absence, you can use a hacksaw for metal, but this is very inconvenient.

How to bend drywall

In order to mount arched structures over doorways or niches, you need to somehow bend the drywall so that it does not break.

For these purposes, drywall manufacturers produce special sheets of GKLA (arched), which have a thickness of 6.5 mm and are easily deformable.

Such material is somewhat more expensive than usual. For its installation, special arched profiles are used, equipped with cutouts along the side walls. Thanks to these cutouts, the profile can be easily bent as required, and then the flexible sheet can be fixed in it.

Since the thickness of the flexible sheet is small, then to strengthen the structure, you need to use two layers of drywall: the rough layer is made from a regular sheet, and the front layer is made from an arched sheet.

But if you did not manage to buy GKLA, then there are ways to bend ordinary wall drywall. For different situations, different technologies are used to influence the sheet.

If you need to get only a slight bend, then you can do this:

  • The prepared drywall blank is moistened with water on one side with a roller or brush.
  • It is left for 10-15 minutes so that the water is absorbed into the plaster layer.
  • After that, the sheet is screwed in the intended place. Do this carefully so as not to damage the material weakened by water.
  • After the evaporation of water, the material regains its initial strength and at the same time keeps the given shape well.

If the bending radius of the sheet is small enough, then you can bend it like this:

  • I process the sheet on one side with a needle roller.
  • Then, using a sponge, it is soaked in water for an hour. Be careful not to get the paper on the back of the sheet wet, otherwise it may tear if folded.
  • Then they are carefully bent using a template and the ends of the sheet are fixed with clamps.
  • The structure is left in this form until it dries completely.

If a roller with needles is not at hand, then you can use another option (dry bend):

  • Instead, a knife is used, with which cuts are made on the sheet, placing them in a direction perpendicular to the bend line.
  • The distance between the cuts should be 10-50 mm. The more frequent the cuts, the smaller the bending radius.
  • The side where the cuts are made must always be inside the bend.

Thus, having previously studied all the methods of cutting and bending the gypsum board, choose the most suitable one for yourself and act exactly according to the technology.