How to cut drywall at home. How and how to cut drywall correctly at home. How much does it cost and where to buy a tool for cutting drywall

How to cut drywall at home.  How and how to cut drywall correctly at home.  How much does it cost and where to buy a tool for cutting drywall
How to cut drywall at home. How and how to cut drywall correctly at home. How much does it cost and where to buy a tool for cutting drywall

Beginners in the construction business do not know what and how to cut drywall the best way. After all, any work, be it the creation of a ceiling structure, a partition, 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, the recommendations below will tell you how to cut drywall at home.

Getting to know the toolbox

The mandatory list of tools for sawing gypsum fiber with your own hands includes three groups of items

1. Devices for applying markings on a sheet of plasterboard- a simple pencil, a tape measure, a long ruler.

2. The actual cutting and sawing devices.

  • Knife. You can cut GVLV stationery knife, as well as a specialized construction one with a double-sided replaceable blade (suitable for denser materials).
  • Hacksaw. It is better if it is a tool for working metal rather than wood.
  • Jigsaw. Ideal for cutting rounded elements. High-quality metal files with fine teeth are the least likely to cause chips on the ends of drywall.
  • Electric drill. Needed for making holes. For large d gaps, you will need round bits (which are used to cut into the core of door snap locks) and feather drills.

3. Edge processing devices:

  • roughing plane;
  • plane for chamfering.

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

The structure and purpose of drywall

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

Therefore, in order to be able to quickly cut a sheet of plasterboard, it is not enough to know what is better cut drywall. It is important to know basic principle this action: after continuous, even cutting of the drywall has been carried out, the second step immediately follows - breaking the sheet.

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

The functions of the material make it possible to distinguish it into varieties: moisture-resistant, fire-resistant, standard, high-strength (for example, gypsum board or gypsum board, made using KNAUF technologies), acoustic plasterboard, etc.

Despite the large assortment of GCs, panels of any variety lend themselves well to being divided into parts using available material at hand.

Selection of cutting methods

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

Standard cutting

Cutting the sheet straight is the easiest way to cut. It comes down to this:

GVL is placed on hard and flat surface. Then marking is done future line cutting

Whatever knife you choose, you should cut it strictly, placing a ruler on the side. An uneven cut is guaranteed if you decide to do it without a ruler. Cutting begins from the back side (there is a denser cardboard layer). The front part of the Civil Code is somewhat different, as it is intended for Finishing work. When cutting, they try to push the knife as deep as possible into the gypsum contents.

Upon completion of the process, the GC is turned over and bent in the direction of the solid (without cutting line) side. Plaster that is not touched by a knife will be broken into the necessary direction. The cardboard on the opposite side is cut along the formed fold line.

It doesn’t really matter which side you start cutting the drywall from. However, it is much easier to do this on a flat, dense surface than when holding the GL suspended.

Before cutting drywall with improvised tools, you should familiarize yourself with two more types of simple cutting that you can do yourself.

Double-sided cutting. Most often, cutting in the shape of any rectangle is performed in this way. Using a hacksaw, one of the sides is sawed, the other is simply trimmed with a blade. After which the material is broken, and the cardboard is cut off on the opposite side (as with simple cutting). The finished trim is brought to perfection using a plane to finish the edge.

Cutting along an uneven line. To cut material along uneven lines, you must first prepare a drawing.

Cut according 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 it without basic experience and a sufficient arsenal of tools.

When cutting in shapes, the material is also first marked. 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 shaped cutting of HA in different situations, we apply one of the methods described below.

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

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

Option three. To cut gypsum fiber boards with a jigsaw, clearly mark the contour of the required shape. Priority in choosing a jigsaw is given when the diameter of the circle being made must be greater than the diameter of the electric drill bit, and the rounded lines of the shapes are not limited to a circle.

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

After which the HA is placed on a flat surface that has a recess. Moreover, the separated part of the element must fall into this hole. It is less effective to rest the sheet on the wall. Next, hit with a hammer in the middle of the separated fragment. The part to be removed should break. The layer of cardboard from below is cut off, aligning the ends as necessary. GK experts strongly advise against resorting to this technique for people without experience. Since you have to spend a lot of plasterboard sheets to train your hands and practice pressing force.

The nuances of making circles

Circles in the ceiling structure are made primarily for mounting lamps. 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 implement your plan with a drill with special equipment - a cylindrical attachment. The same one that is used when cutting a locking mechanism with a latch into a door.

Cutting after installation of gypsum boards

Of course, it is more convenient to cut material that has not yet been fixed. But in practice, there are situations when it is necessary to cut off the excess after installing the sheets to the frame. Such pruning is due to the fact that the sheathed surfaces encounter window slopes or corners along the way.

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

Here 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. Cutting movements repeat repeatedly, following the markings. At the same time, they try to “squeeze out” unnecessary parts of the material. The sheet is cut on the other side.

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

source: https://izgipsokartona.com/montag/rezka-gipsokartona.html

When installing plasterboard sheets, it is necessary to use tools that will allow you to cut all the slabs evenly and efficiently. Let's find out how to cut drywall and what tools can be used for this.

Drywall cutting diagram.

Tools for cutting drywall sheet

Drywall is a very durable material, but in order to securely attach it to the ceiling or wall, it must be cut correctly. GKL sheets are somewhat fragile, that is, in order to cut them in an even line without splitting the slab, you will have to use special, albeit rather simple, tools. After this, using the profile and self-tapping screws, you can begin installation.

So how to cut drywall? Many manufacturers recommend using special equipment, but its cost is quite high, so it is quite possible to get by with a minimal set that allows you to quickly and efficiently cut the sheets before attaching them to the profile. You can limit yourself to the following set: Tape measure, a simple pencil - this minimum set, necessary for marking on the surface of the sheet. It is better to take a three-meter tape measure, made of metal, the pencil should be sharpened.

The marking itself is very simple, based on preliminary measurements. It’s better to take a long ruler, but if you don’t have one, you can use a regular profile, trimmings of which may remain after installing the frame. Knife. There are several options here: the most common office sharp knife with a strong body, or a special construction knife with replaceable blades, which has a comfortable handle for work. When cutting this way, you must ensure that the blade is sharp; it is recommended to use protective gloves.

A wood saw or hacksaw, which is used to cut knots, is ideal for cutting sheets of drywall.

It must be narrow so as not to damage the stove during operation. Also, when cutting, the sheet must first be secured so as not to break it. Roughing plane. This is probably the only one professional tool, which must be used when cutting gypsum board sheets. The plane is used to clean up the edges of the cut. Many people believe that such work can be done using the most ordinary kitchen grater, file, sandpaper, but when installing a multi-level ceiling or large niches or partitions, it is recommended to use a plane

Simple straight cut

How to cut drywall correctly? Most often, a straight cut is used, which allows cutting the sheet into the necessary parts with the desired shape. It's easy to do this kind of work. First you need to apply markings using a simple pencil and a metal ruler. Next, use a sharp knife to carefully cut through the first layer of cardboard. It is also best to cut along a ruler so that the line is smooth and neat. There may be two or three such cuts; don’t be too lazy to do this so that the sheet can easily break exactly in the place where it is needed.

You need to break the sheet in this way: after cutting through the layer of paper, it is recommended to place the gypsum board on its edge, approach from the side where the cut was made, and lightly tap on the drywall board. About two or three such blows, and the gypsum core will not withstand the load and will break exactly according to the markings you made. All that remains is to hold the halves so that they do not fall to the floor. After this, using metallic profile, the gypsum board sheet is attached to the ceiling or wall. This direct method is used to cut drywall in most cases. This allows you to quickly cut a large number of sheets.

Double-sided cut

Quite often, when attaching a sheet to a profile in difficult places, it is necessary to perform a double-sided cut. This method is used when designing window openings, door, if necessary, bypass beams and others complex designs. The better to cut drywall in this case? First you need to make a hole rectangular or square shape. You can cut it using such a simple tool as a hacksaw or a sharp knife. The cutting process is not difficult:

  • First you need to mark the sheet with a simple pencil and ruler;
  • on one side the sheet must be cut using a hacksaw, and on the other using a knife;
  • Now the drywall is cracking and being cut off on one side.

Afterwards, you need to carefully process the edge using a roughing plane to get smooth edges. When the sheet is cut, you can secure it in the required place using self-tapping screws. After installation, joints and seams are puttied and pre-glued with a special mesh.

Round holes, uneven cut

Often when installing drywall sheets you have to do the most various holes, for example, under the battery, plumbing equipment, for installation of electrical fittings (socket boxes, switches, when installing lamps). For this usual ways cutting is of little use. So how to cut drywall in this case? It is especially difficult to determine correct sizes future hole, choose a tool, fastening location. Let's take a closer look at the procedure.

First you need to draw up a drawing, and then measure all the dimensions. When it is necessary to make a semicircular cutout or bend on straight surfaces, you can use a regular hacksaw, first marking the sheet with a simple pencil. For pipes and electrical fittings, special drill attachments are used, which allow precise and correct res.

But you can make such round holes using a regular knife, and then clean all the edges with sandpaper. Usually like this easy way used when installing lamps. First, markings are applied with a simple pencil, after which a hole is carefully cut out with a sharp knife. The cut material is carefully knocked out with a hammer and the edges are cleaned. This method can be used when the cut areas will be decorated with something additional. Do not forget that the sheets still need to be secured to the previously prepared profile.

Drywall is a material that is often used for finishing walls and ceilings, in the construction of a wide variety of niches and partitions. With such material you can realize a lot of ideas. And cutting gypsum plasterboard, as you have seen, is not so difficult. Therefore, it’s time to act and implement your ideas.

source: //www.vashgipsokarton.ru/montazh/kak-rezat.html

Methods for cutting drywall

Before you make a hole in drywall, you need to know what kind of material it is. Drywall is a material that consists of a two-layer sheet of cardboard and a core of hardened gypsum with fillers. This material is intended for cladding, creating partitions, and is used when installing ceilings in rooms with normal humidity air.

Holes in drywall may be needed when installing switches, sockets and lamps.

There are three types of drywall: regular, moisture-resistant and fire-resistant. The moisture-resistant type is used when working in rooms with high humidity air, for example in the bathroom. Fire-resistant, respectively, for fireplace portals and other places where there is an open fire nearby. In addition to the types listed above, there is also gypsum fiber sheet, which is highly durable, and acoustic sheet, which has increased sound insulation.

There are several ways to cut drywall.

Each of them is used for different cases. The most common method is to cut the sheet in a straight line. But it also happens that it is necessary to cut out a circle or other shape.

4 ways to shapely cut drywall

  • electric drill;
  • special attachment - crown.

The sawing products are easily removed from the crowns through the side slot.

It is best to cut a circle in drywall, for example, for a built-in lamp, using an electric drill and a special cylindrical attachment for drilling round holes - a crown. These cylindrical nozzles exist various diameters and purposes. To cut out a circle, use a bit for wood and plywood. They are called circular saws or drills. It is also convenient if you have a set of such saws, for example, if you need to make a hole for Spotlights various models or for round sockets of various diameters.

List of tools for work:

  • jigsaw

If you don't have a crown, you can use a jigsaw. Before starting work, a circle is marked on the drywall, then a hole is drilled in the center of this circle, into which we insert the jigsaw blade. We cut it out, following the previously marked outline of the circle. This way we get a perfect circle. It is also advisable to use a narrow file with fine teeth when cutting using a jigsaw. At the same time, it should be noted that you should not cut too quickly, but it is better to set the jigsaw speed to maximum.

List of tools:

  • pencil or marker (for marking);
  • drywall hacksaw.

Drywall cutting diagram.

In addition to the tools presented above, in order to cut an even circle, you can use a special hacksaw for cutting drywall. This tool is very simple and easy to use, and can also be used for straight cutting. All you need to do is simply mark the circle in advance using a pencil or marker and then cut out according to the markings.

Method 4. If not special tools

List of tools that will be needed for work:

  • pencil or marker (for marking);
  • ruler (for measuring the radius of the hole);
  • drywall knife;
  • hammer.

All the previously described methods can be used if you have the appropriate tool at hand. But what to do if there are simply no such tools and devices, but you still need to cut a hole?

In this case, you need to use the following method. All we need for this is a knife for cutting drywall and an ordinary hammer.

The following actions are performed:

  1. Mark the center of the future circle and measure the radius.
  2. We apply markings.
  3. Use a knife to follow the markings so as to cut through the drywall as deeply as possible.
  4. We place a sheet of drywall on the surface in which there is a recess, so that the circle that we cut is above this recess.
  5. after which we hit the marked center of the circle with a hammer with sufficient force so that the drywall breaks through the cut made.
  6. cut off the excess pieces, trim the edges and cut off the bottom layer of cardboard.

Tools for cutting drywall.

This method is very, very simple, does not require special tools, but its application requires skill. It is quite dangerous; in the absence of experience, a beginner will have to ruin more than one sheet of drywall before working on it. The blow should not be too strong, otherwise the material will simply break, but not too weak.

The depth of the slot made in the first stages of preparation is important. The deeper the slot, the less effort you will have to make to ensure that the sheet breaks off in the right place. If the circle you want to cut is enough large diameter, then it would be better to cut the cardboard inside the outline into segments.

Other geometry

The methods that were described above, except for the first, can be equally suitable for cutting rectangular holes.

A jigsaw is best suited if you need to perform figure cutting, however, not everyone has such a tool. Then you can use the following method, for which we will need a hacksaw. You need to proceed as follows:

  1. Mark the center of the future figure and mark the edges
  2. Apply markings
  3. We divide the cutting contour into more or less straight sections and cut them with a knife, and only upper layer cardboard and plaster is scratched
  4. Cut the cut part into segments using a hacksaw.
  5. We place a sheet of drywall on the surface in which there is a recess, so that the figure that we cut is above this recess
  6. Then we hit the marked center of the figure with a hammer with sufficient force so that the drywall breaks through the cut made.
  7. We trim off the excess pieces, trim the edges and cut off the bottom layer of cardboard.

This method is suitable if you need to cut out a shape with a large radius.

Today, plasterboard is widely used in construction and renovation. You can work with this material yourself. However, you should first find out how to cut drywall so that no difficulties arise during the repair process. Below are the basic ways of working and the tools you will need.

Cutting tools

How do you cut drywall? To cut it, there are special devices that

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 available tools that can be found in every home.

First of all, you need to mark the sheet of drywall so that you can cut it straight. This is done using a tape measure, a simple pencil and a long ruler.

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

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

Used in rooms with high humidity moisture resistant drywall. It is different from ordinary material the presence of antiseptic additives in its composition. Some people have a question about how to cut. It is not much different from ordinary material. It can be easily recognized by its green color. When cutting it, you can use the same tools. Let's tell you in more detail how to work with each of them.

The best way to cut drywall

Differs from the one used to saw wood, with a thinner blade

blades. With its help, drywall is cut very easily. The edges of the material remain smooth and have virtually no jagged edges. The sheet of material must be placed on some support and cut along the marked line.

A construction knife with a sharp double-sided blade can easily cut a thick sheet of drywall. To make the edge of the sheet even, you should first draw a marking line and attach a metal ruler to it. An incision is made along it with a knife. If the drywall is thin enough, you can replace the construction knife with a regular stationery knife, which is used for paper.

A jigsaw is convenient for making shaped cuts. When working with drywall, it is recommended to purchase files with fine teeth, which are used for metal.

How to cut drywall correctly

There are several useful tips that will make your work easier:

  • Drywall is a flexible material. To avoid breaking it during operation, you need to place the sheet on a stable, flat surface.
  • When cutting a large sheet, you should do it gradually.
  • There should be no moisture in the workplace, otherwise the material will become wet and unsuitable for use.
  • Which side you cut the drywall from is not so important. However, it is best to make the cut on the surface on which it will be attached to the wall.
  • When cutting the profile, do not worry about uneven edges. They will subsequently be covered with a sheet of drywall.
  • When working with the material, you should understand that it can crumble a lot and create dust. Be sure to protect your eyes and respiratory system.

Cutting along straight lines

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

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

Some people think that they can do it just fine without a ruler. However, you should not neglect it. It is quite difficult to make an even cut without it. Of course it is possible, but you will have to take the time to get a neat edge. With a ruler, everything is done much faster.

When the cuts become deep enough, a sheet of drywall should be placed on its edge and tapped on it with reverse side. Typically, several weak blows lead to a break in the drywall sheet along the line. Now all that remains is to cut the cardboard layer with a knife.

Shaped 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 a hole for lighting fixtures. In this case, it is best to use a jigsaw.

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

If you don't have a jigsaw, you can use a hacksaw or a construction knife and a hammer. Make deep cuts strictly according to the markings. Place the drywall on a flat, recessed surface so that it sits underneath the hole you are cutting. Now hit this place with a hammer. After the unwanted part falls off, turn the drywall over and cut off the excess paper.

Edge processing

When drywall is cut, its edges should be slightly aligned so that there is no

Jagged and chipped. This can be done using sandpaper. Gently go over all the edges until they are smooth.

The final stage of preparing the material includes its fascia. 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 the drywall, all gaps between the sheets of material must be filled with putty. When the seams are dry, you can begin painting the surface or wallpapering it.

How to cut a profile

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

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

It is not recommended to use a grinder at home because it produces a lot of sparks. will be quite enough. They are able to easily cut iron without creating excess garbage and shavings.

The profile can be cut into small pieces. Afterwards 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 indoor use. Now that you have learned how to cut drywall, you can independently change your apartment beyond recognition without spending money on professional finishers.

Without any exaggeration, drywall can be called the most popular material for leveling walls and ceilings for their further finishing. It is very widely used in the construction of complex decorative structures that become interior decoration. This popularity is no coincidence, since drywall has all the qualities necessary for use in residential premises. It is very easy to use, and technologies using it are quickly mastered even by beginners. There is one more important point - this is quite affordable price plasterboard sheets, compared to other building materials.

When purchasing this material for a specific purpose for the first time, many novice craftsmen involuntarily wonder how to cut drywall at home, so as not to spoil or break the sheet, so as to obtain blanks with smooth edges and the required dimensions. There is nothing particularly complicated about this - further we will consider various options for cutting, processing and fitting drywall sheets for a specific area of ​​work.

A few words about the structure of drywall

To begin with, you need to pay a couple of minutes of attention to the structure of the drywall, since this point will immediately bring clarity to the process of cutting it. And the “device” of the gypsum board is very simple.

Drywall prices

drywall


The structural structure of a sheet of this material is a three-layer “sandwich”. The outer layers are made of thick cardboard, and the core is made of pressed gypsum mixture. The long sides of drywall usually have an edge with rounded or trapezoidal corners and are also protected with cardboard. There is no edge provided on the end sides.

Cardboard is produced in several types - this is ordinary (gypsum plasterboard) material gray, moisture-resistant (GKLV) has green shades on the front side, fire-resistant (GKLO) - pink or light purple, and moisture- and fire-resistant(GKLVO) - dark green. In addition, today an innovative drywall designed for soundproofing walls has appeared on sale. He is being manufactured in blue.

Most common standard sizes sheets 2500×1200 mm, that is, having an area of ​​3 m². Other options are also available, but they are less common: 2000 ×1200 mm (2.4 m²) and 3000 ×1200 mm (3.6 m²). The thickness of the sheets can be 12.5 mm (for walls), as well as 9.5 mm and 6 mm, which are usually used to create structures.

The table below shows the main standard sizes of drywall, indicating approximate weight sheets. This is so that you can evaluate - the sheets are very bulky and quite heavy. That is, you should work with them carefully: if handled carelessly, they may not be able to withstand the load on the fracture and may break.

Drywall typeSheet dimensions (length × width × thickness), mmSheet area, m²Approximate sheet weight, kg
2000 × 1200 × 62,4 12
2000 × 1200 × 9.52,4 18
2000 × 1200 × 12.52,4 23
2500 × 1200 × 63,0 15
2500 × 1200 × 9.53,0 23
2500 × 1200 × 12.53,0 29
3000 × 1200 × 63,6 18
3000 × 1200 × 9.53,6 27
3000 × 1200 × 12.53,6 35
2000 × 1200 × 12.52,4 24
2500 × 1200 × 12.53,0 30
3000 × 1200 × 12.53,6 35
2000 × 1200 × 12.52,4 26
2500 × 1200 × 12.53,0 31
3000 × 1200 × 12.53,6 37
2000 × 1200 × 12.52,4 27
2500 × 1200 × 12.53,0 32
3000 × 1200 × 12.53,6 38

However, no matter which one is used for construction or, it is cut the same way.

Basic tools for cutting drywall

To cut sheets of drywall to specific sizes, you will need some simple tools, the list of which includes the following items:


  • Electric jigsaw. This tool can be convenient for making long cuts, and it becomes especially necessary if a cut of a complex curved shape is required. As a rule, our jigsaw is included in the tool “arsenal” of any private home, since it is difficult to do without it on the farm.
  • A special knife for cutting drywall or a regular stationery knife with a replaceable blade. More detailed information This group of tools will be discussed below.
  • A narrow passing hacksaw for wood with a slight tooth spread, or a special one hand file on drywall.
  • Electric drill with a set of large pen drills, as well as crowns - for cutting large round holes for communication wiring, sockets for installation electrical outlets and switches.
  • A drywall plane or a regular wood plane. This tool will be necessary for processing edges when cutting material.
  • A needle roller will be required if it is necessary to form an arched opening or other curved surface from plasterboard, for example, for a complex
  • To measure and mark sheets you will need a simple pencil or marker, tape measure, construction square, meter metal ruler. If there is no ruler, a flat metal profile used for arranging the frame sheathing can be a replacement. In addition, you need to have on hand building code for making long, even cuts “under a ruler”.

Knives for cutting drywall

Due to the fact that the main tool for cutting drywall is a knife, its characteristics are worth considering in more detail.

Prices for popular electric jigsaws


Drywall cutting knives can be divided into three categories. Detailed information about them is presented in this table:

Knife categoriesCharacteristic features of the tool
Standard knivesSuch knives are the most affordable tools, and this is their main advantage.
The design is quite simple, as it consists of four elements - a body-handle, a lid-lock, a blade regulator-lock, and the replaceable blade itself.
The reliability of such knives is quite low, especially when used for cutting drywall. They are still more suitable for cutting paper. When cutting drywall, the blades quickly become dull.
Reinforced knife modelsThese are more expensive options compared to standard models.
They differ from the former by the presence of a metal guide installed in the body, which more reliably fixes the blade and ensures rigidity when making a cut.
Professional knivesSuch tools are used by craftsmen who constantly work with drywall.
Options professional knives enough. They differ from each other in the ergonomics of the case, the principle of operation of the latch and some other design nuances.
The price of such models is several times different from those mentioned above, and sometimes reaches up to 1000 rubles.

In principle, drywall can be cut with any of the mentioned knife models. However, to decide on the choice of this tool, it is worth considering all the options in more detail.

It should be immediately noted that knives with a 9 mm blade should not even be considered, since they are not suitable for cutting drywall. Such a blade may not withstand pressure and break. Not only will this greatly slow down the work, but the breakage of a thin blade is often accompanied by a rather serious injury to the hand.

For cutting drywall, knives with blades having a width of 18 or 25 mm are used.

Product appearanceTypes of knives and cutters and their features
A wallpaper or stationery knife can be called the simplest and most affordable option.
This tool is popular among non-professional builders, as it is easy to use and can be used not only for cutting drywall, but also for many other operations.
The thickness of the blades can vary from 0.3 to 0.6 mm - in this case, the larger this figure, the better.
This type of knife is produced in different options, but their performance characteristics basically identical.
A knife with a trapezoidal blade is considered the best option for working with drywall, as it is designed specifically for cutting this material.
The advantages of this tool include the ergonomic, comfortable shape of the handle, which makes it comfortable to work with the tool, since the force of the hand is perfectly transferred to the material being processed.
The blade, which has a trapezoidal shape, is rigid, thanks to which it does not bend and cuts plasterboard sheets efficiently.
Knives of this type have a fairly wide range in cost, which mainly depends on the brand of the product. But even the most inexpensive options showed themselves well in operation.
Another version of a knife with a trapezoidal blade designed for cutting drywall is a product that has a folding design.
It is very convenient, since when folded the instrument is safe and can be carried in your pocket without fear of injury.
The remaining characteristics correspond to the previous version.
Knives with a disc blade are designed for cutting drywall, and many craftsmen prefer to use them in their work, since the tool perfectly separates sheets, making perfectly even cuts, including curved ones.
The disk is placed next to a metal ruler aligned along the cutting line, pressed and moved along it. As the knife moves, an even cut of equal depth is formed.
If necessary, you can press on the round blade using quite a lot of force, since it has sufficient rigidity and can withstand such loads without problems.
There are also folding knives with a disc blade. In such models, the disk comes out of the case when you press moving part pens.
A thicknesser or drywall cutter is different from previous versions his appearance and design. This tool consists of two disks located horizontally parallel to each other at a certain distance.
The cutter is installed on a sheet of drywall and moves along it, cutting both layers of cardboard at once. The round cutting parts are removable, so they can be replaced with new ones if necessary.
With this tool you can make cuts, separating perfectly even strips up to 120 mm wide from a whole sheet, which is often necessary when using plasterboard to form multi-level ceilings and other structures where narrow strips of ideally even and uniform size are needed.
The handle of the tool simultaneously serves as a guide - the required cutting width is set from it. Next, the cutter is installed on the end of the sheet and moved from beginning to end along its entire length.
The Blade Runne drywall cutter is a tool that is known mainly among professional craftsmen. This is not an ordinary tool that can speed up the cutting process by half. From which we can conclude that such a device is necessary if you have to constantly cut large quantity plasterboard sheets.
The tool consists of two detachable parts, which are held together during operation using magnetic latches. The blades are located in small blocks located in two parts of the body. If necessary, cutting elements can be replaced.
Cutting with this tool is quite easy to make - the halves of the tool are separated and installed on both sides of the sheet on a line pre-marked on it. Then, the cutter moves along a given guideline, cutting the cardboard layer on both sides at once.
Thanks to this tool, you can make both perfectly straight and complex curved cuts. The main thing is that the marking lines applied to the sheet are clear and accurate.

Now, having figured out which knife designs are most often used for cutting drywall, you can decide on the choice of the main tool for the job. This takes into account the area of ​​application of the material, the required shapes and sizes of workpieces, and the required level of accuracy. And, of course, the cost of the tool is compared with the scale of the upcoming tasks and the intensity of its use.

Basic technological techniques for cutting drywall and processing blanks

Cutting the drywall itself is not at all difficult. But for that to it was convenient to work, and the markings and cuts turned out to be accurate; it is necessary that the room where the cutting takes place is well lit and free enough.

Basic technological methods cutting of plasterboard sheets and processing of blanks are shown in the instruction table below:

IllustrationBrief description of the operations performed
The plasterboard sheet has enough big size, and for marking and cutting it must be placed horizontally on a solid base.
It is clear that not everyone has such a spacious workbench. Some people place the sheet on the floor, others use tables or stools for this purpose.
If the latter are used for stands, then they must be placed close to each other, at a distance of no more than 300 mm, otherwise, when pressing on the sheet, it may break.
On a sheet laid on a solid base, markings are made according to the required dimensions. For this purpose, a tape measure and pencil, ruler, etc. are used.
A metal ruler or a long rule is applied to the marked marks and a line is drawn along which the cut will be made.
Often, to mark strictly perpendicular lines, you cannot do without a square.
Next, a knife blade is placed close to the ruler on the drawn line and drawn along the entire length of the guide.
Using the rule as a ruler is more convenient in cases where the sheet needs to be cut along its entire length or width.
Light pressure is applied to the blade so that only outer layer cardboard
If one of the types of knives discussed above is used to cut a sheet, then the evenness of the cut largely depends on the hardness of the master’s hand.
However, in any case, you should not try to cut the drywall through its entire thickness, since even if you manage to do this, the cut will turn out to be sloppy.
And there’s no point in blunting the blade in vain.
Then the sheet of drywall must be moved closer to the edge of the base on which it lies, and carefully tap the cut on the back side of the sheet.
As a result of tapping, the gypsum layer along the cut line will lose its integrity.
Next, you need to grab the cut part of the sheet and sharply bend it down, so that the gypsum layer breaks exactly along the line.
All that remains is to take a knife, bend the sheet along the cut line and finally divide it into two parts.
This will not be difficult to do, since the halves will be held in place by only one layer of cardboard, which is cut along the breaking line. You don't even have to turn the sheet over to do this.
After the sheet is divided, the edges of the cuts can be cleaned using a special or regular plane, since there may be sloppy nicks left on it, which will become an obstacle when joining the sheets on the wall.
Processing of chamfers must be done without strong pressure, as the material may begin to crumble.
However, you should not try perfect shape edges, it is enough to remove strongly protruding parts and unevenness of the cardboard if they were formed during cutting.
And the beveled chamfer - for high-quality reinforcement of joints between sheets of plasterboard on the wall, can be cut after their installation - otherwise, in the process of work, it is easy to destroy the edge of the sheet that has been sharpened and not protected by cardboard.
It is somewhat more difficult to cut a shaped hole, for example, a semicircle, since you have to constantly monitor the curved line.
This process can be done using a narrow hacksaw or an electric jigsaw. A jigsaw makes a more accurate cut, but it is convenient for those craftsmen who have experience working with this tool.
It is very important to carefully start cutting without crumbling the edge of the sheet, especially if there is no cardboard edge on it.
Next, holding the hacksaw in the direction of the drawn line, the excess part of the drywall is carefully, slowly, cut out.
Through openings free form can also be cut using a hacksaw or jigsaw.
First, the location of this window is marked on the surface of the sheet, then its edges are precisely defined with lines.
A hole is drilled in the middle of each side, closer to the inner part to be cut out - its diameter should correspond to the width of the file installed in the electric jigsaw. Usually a diameter of 8 ÷ 10 mm is sufficient.
Next, a jigsaw file is inserted into the hole (necessarily - in the off state!), and a line is cut to one of the corners.
Then the jigsaw is turned off, the file is pulled out after a complete stop, the jigsaw is turned in the other direction and again inserted into the same hole, after which a cut is made to the opposite corner.
In the same way, cuts are made on the remaining sides, and the cut out fragment is easily removed.
A round window-socket for a socket or switch is cut out using a drill with a crown attachment of the required diameter, a narrow hacksaw or a jigsaw.
The easiest way to perform this operation is with a core drill, and this procedure will take just a few seconds.
Any openings are most often cut in place, that is, after fixing the sheet to the sheathing, since the strength of the sheet is compromised, and often even a slight distortion during transportation or installation leads to a break.
And marking a round opening is very simple - you don’t have to make any precise constructions - just determine the center of the circle.
If you plan to cut a hole using a hacksaw or jigsaw, then the center is determined and a cutting line is drawn using a regular compass.
Then, two holes are drilled along the line with a drill, as close to each other as possible.
Next, the hole must be carefully combined using a file and the cut must continue along the contour line.
But, you must admit, a crown is much more convenient, and it’s not expensive at all.
If it is necessary to cover curved surfaces with plasterboard, the material can be bent after carrying out some preparatory operations.
For example, if you plan to make a small bend to cover an arch with a large radius, then two ways to give drywall the required form.
You can make punctures on it using a needle roller, then moisten the sheet with a spray bottle.
The material, once wet, will become more pliable for bending.
Without waiting for it to dry, it is installed on the arched frame, which must be done very carefully.
Some craftsmen prefer to bend pierced and moistened drywall according to a template made according to the parameters of the arched opening.
To do this, the prepared sheet is placed on top of the template, lightly pressing its edges with a weight. In this position, the sheet is dried and then mounted on the frame of the arched opening.
Another option that will help give the drywall the desired shape is to make cuts along the entire length of the sheet needed for sheathing. The cuts must be perfectly straight.
If it is necessary to form a column from a plasterboard sheet or sheathe an arched opening with a small bending radius, then cuts are also made along the entire length of the sheet, but in two opposing passes at an angle at the apex of 100÷110 degrees.
That is, from such cuts it is removed small area material, and the resulting groove itself should have a cross-sectional shape close to a triangle. Otherwise, the sheet will not be able to bend.

In conclusion, I would like to give some tips that will help you cope with the task without making irreparable mistakes.

  • You should not cut drywall with a grinder, as there will not only be a lot of noise, but also a cloud of gypsum dust, which will add problems with cleaning the room. And to be honest, I don’t see any sense in this approach at all.
  • If it is necessary to use a hammer when cutting material, you can only use a rubber mallet, since metal tool You can seriously damage your drywall. And, of course, carefully measure the force of the blows delivered.
  • To ensure that there are fewer notches along the cutting line on the edges of the sheet, it is recommended to hold the hacksaw or knife at a right angle - the lower the angle of the blade, the larger the rags of cardboard will be.
  • All main cuts are made before attaching the material to the sheathing, since if the cut is made unsuccessfully, then the sheet will have to be replaced with a new one, and the damaged one can be used for inserts. The exception is windows and openings - it is better to cut them in place installation, after fixing to the frame.
  • It is not recommended to cut into drywall complex drawings with thin partitions, for example, openwork mesh, since the material is quite fragile.
  • If a whole sheet is cut, then most often this process is carried out on the floor. After the cut is made, a beam is placed along its line under the drywall. Then you need to press on both parts of the canvas, which will easily break along the cut line.

Prices for a drywall knife

drywall knife

From the information presented above, a logical conclusion arises that there is nothing particularly difficult in the process of cutting plasterboard sheets. And this work can easily be done by anyone with no experience in construction. If you have any doubts, you can try your hand at a small piece of material and see how simple everything is if you follow technological recommendations and use quality tools.

Find out with step by step instructions, from our new article on our portal.

At the end of the publication, there is a video in which craftsmen clearly demonstrate the techniques of cutting drywall.

Video: How to quickly and efficiently cut drywall

How do you cut drywall? How to cut drywall correctly

Today, plasterboard is widely used in construction and renovation. You can work with this material yourself. However, you should first find out how to cut drywall so that no difficulties arise during the repair process. Below are the basic ways of working and the tools you will need.

Cutting tools

How do you cut drywall? To cut it, there are special devices that

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 available tools that can be found in every home.

First of all, you need to mark the sheet of drywall so that you can cut it straight. This is done using a tape measure, a simple pencil and a long ruler.

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

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

In rooms with high humidity, moisture-resistant plasterboard is used. It differs from ordinary material by the presence of antiseptic additives in its composition. Some people have a question about how to cut moisture-resistant drywall. It is not much different from regular material. It can be easily recognized by its green color. When cutting it, you can use the same tools. Let's tell you in more detail how to work with each of them.

The best way to cut drywall

A hacksaw for metal differs from the one used to saw wood because it has a thinner blade

blades. With its help, drywall is cut very easily. The edges of the material remain smooth and have virtually no jagged edges. The sheet of material must be placed on some support and cut along the marked line.

A construction knife with a sharp double-sided blade can easily cut a thick sheet of drywall. To make the edge of the sheet even, you should first draw a marking line and attach a metal ruler to it. An incision is made along it with a knife. If the drywall is thin enough, you can replace the construction knife with a regular stationery knife, which is used for paper.

A jigsaw is convenient for making shaped cuts. When working with drywall, it is recommended to purchase files with fine teeth, which are used for metal.

How to cut drywall correctly

There are several useful tips that will make your work easier:

  • Drywall is a flexible material. To avoid breaking it during operation, you need to place the sheet on a stable, flat surface.
  • When cutting a large sheet, you should do it gradually.
  • There should be no moisture in the workplace, otherwise the material will become wet and unsuitable for use.
  • Which side you cut the drywall from is not so important. However, it is best to make the cut on the surface on which it will be attached to the wall.
  • When cutting the profile, do not worry about uneven edges. They will subsequently be covered with a sheet of drywall.
  • When working with the material, you should understand that it can crumble a lot and create dust. Be sure to protect your eyes and respiratory system.

Cutting along straight lines

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


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

Some people think that they can do it just fine without a ruler. However, you should not neglect it. It is quite difficult to make an even cut without it. Of course it is possible, but you will have to take the time to get a neat edge. With a ruler, everything is done much faster.

When the cuts become deep enough, a sheet of drywall should be placed on its edge and tapped on the back side. Typically, several weak blows lead to a break in the drywall sheet along the line. Now all that remains is to cut the cardboard layer with a knife.

Shaped 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 a hole for lighting fixtures. In this case, it is best to use a jigsaw.

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

If you don't have a jigsaw, you can use a hacksaw or a construction knife and a hammer. Make deep cuts strictly according to the markings. Place the drywall on a flat, recessed surface so that it sits underneath the hole you are cutting. Now hit this place with a hammer. After the unwanted part falls off, turn the drywall over and cut off the excess paper.

Edge processing

When drywall is cut, its edges should be slightly aligned so that there is no


nicks and chips. This can be done using sandpaper. Gently go over all the edges until they are smooth.

The final stage of preparing the material includes its fascia. 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 the drywall, all gaps between the sheets of material must be filled with putty. When the seams are dry, you can begin painting the surface or wallpapering it.

How to cut a profile

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

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

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

The profile can be cut into small pieces. Once the drywall is attached, 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 with 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 a few tools and knowledge of basic techniques on how to do it. We'll also show you how to use materials efficiently to reduce waste while still delivering superior results. From our experience, we know that although the cutting process is not very difficult, it will take patience to master it. An unsatisfactory result may be obtained due to inaccurate measurements or the use of the wrong materials and tools. To learn how to cut drywall the best way, read this article for tips on how to avoid common mistakes.

Preparation and application of markings

To cut drywall, you will need the following:

  • use a knife only with a sharp blade;
  • if you plan to attach plasterboard both to the ceiling and to the walls, then first you need to sheathe the ceiling, and only then proceed to the walls;
  • If you need to cut drywall along a complex path, cut the length first and then the width.

Remember that when working and attaching drywall, it is very important to use as many whole slabs as possible. This way you will reduce the cost of materials, there will be less work, and the cladding process will go faster. Therefore, you need to carefully measure and study the surface you are working with, and then make a plan for using the slabs so that you have to cut them as little as possible.

If you need to attach drywall to large area, we recommend using 3.6 meter slabs instead of 2.5 meter ones. This way you will save time and material.

Step 1: To cut drywall like a pro, use quality tools. If the sheets are large (120 cm wide), then it is better to cut them by leaning them 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, it is better to practice doing it on the floor. First you need to decide which side to cut the drywall from. To do this, make sure that the sheet of drywall is facing towards you. It is on this side that the incision will be made.

If you don’t know what is 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 utility knife. But sometimes you have to use other tools. For example, a drywall hacksaw is convenient to use for cutting holes of various shapes.

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

Smart advice. If you are cutting drywall against the wall, place several pieces of wood underneath. This will make the cutting process easier and protect your fingers from damage.

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

Marking a sheet of drywall.

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

Step 3: To get a perfect straight cut, use a ruler. If you want to achieve results professional level and you have to cut drywall often and a lot, we advise you to get a large cutting tool and not use homemade or homemade tools.

Slide the strip along the drywall until it reaches the desired mark.

Using a rail to cut drywall

Cutting a sheet of drywall

Step 1. The plasterboard consists of two layers of paper that cover both sides thick layer gypsum This combination creates a relatively durable construction material, which is also fire resistant. Therefore, in order to get an accurate and high-quality cut, it is enough to walk along the slab with a sharp knife and then break it in this place. To make a cut, run a knife along the plasterboard sheet from top to bottom several times. To make the correct cut, you need to move the knife confidently, without jerking and exactly along the marked line. When cutting through the paper layer, you need to hold the bar firmly in one position, otherwise the cut may turn out uneven.

The same procedure must be performed if you rarely use drywall not on the floor, but leaning it against the wall. Holding the strip down with your foot, run the knife along the drywall several times from top to bottom. There is no need to cut many times, as this will only dull the knife blade.

A sheet with a cut paper base.

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

Step 2. Now you need to break the slab along the cut. If you followed the previous steps correctly, the drywall sheet should break along the cut. Hold the sheet with your feet and simply fold it.

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

But if you find it hard to grasp large leaf with your hands to bend it, then press it down with your knee. If you are not confident that you can cut a slab well, then practice on scrap sheets first.

We break plasterboard board.

Step 3. After the sheet is broken with a utility knife, cut the paper layer from the back side of the plasterboard. If you have broken the plasterboard correctly, you should have no problem cutting off the paper layer from the back.

We trim the cardboard layer from the outside.

Step 4. Place the cut slab against the mounting location to see how accurate the cut is. If the cut slab is a little larger, use a rasp to remove excess material. Remember that when working with a rasp, you will create a lot of dust. Therefore, try to make accurate markings.

How to make holes in drywall

Next we will talk about how to make a hole in drywall. Learning how to make holes in drywall is important because it often needs to be done to install new outlets, switches, and other fixtures. In addition, you have to cut round or rectangular holes in order to repair damaged areas of drywall. Although cutting holes in drywall is quite simple, 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 explanation exactly before starting the work.

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

  • line;
  • pencil;
  • tape measure and stationery knife;
  • drill;
  • ring attachment for drill;
  • jigsaw;
  • drywall hacksaw.
  • take precise measurements to make rectangular holes;
  • Be careful not to damage pipes or electrical wires when cutting holes;
  • To cut a hole in drywall, wear a respirator mask.

Cutting a rectangular hole

Step 1. Determine the place on the sheet of drywall where you need to make a hole. If you plan to install a socket in this hole, then you need to place the socket box in the required place and outline its outline. To do this, use a tape measure to measure the distance from the left side of the stove to the left and right edges of the box. Also measure the distance from the bottom edge of the slab to the extreme top and bottom of the electrical box. Given these dimensions, use a ruler to mark the location of the hole for the box on the plasterboard.

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

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

We drill holes in the drywall for the jigsaw blade.

Smart advice. You can drill holes not on the sides, but in the corners of the rectangle. The holes should be large enough for the jigsaw blade to fit through.

Step 3. Insert a jigsaw blade into each of the holes to cut a rectangular opening. Do this with great care, making sure that the file follows exactly the drawn lines.

Cut a rectangular hole in the drywall.

Smart advice. To avoid inhaling dust, wear a respirator mask. It is better to make the hole too small than too big, since the excess can always be removed with a rasp.

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

Finished rectangular hole.

Smart advice. You can cut holes in already installed slabs, but there are a few things to consider. Before carrying out work, make sure that there are no pipes, wires or other communications in this area.

How to make round holes in drywall

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

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

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

We mark the center of the future hole.

Step 2: Select a Crown required size and secure it in the drill chuck. Now place the core bit in the center of the hole you are cutting and start drilling. For a quality hole, we recommend cutting to average speed and gently press the drill.

Smart advice. Be careful not to press the drill too hard to prevent the bit from getting stuck in the plaster. To make a quality hole, you need to be patient.

Making holes using hand tools

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 sheet of drywall and mark the outline of the future hole. Then the same outline should be marked on the back side of the sheet. Both the first and second circuits must match.

We outline the outline of the future hole.

Then, using a knife, you need to completely cut through the cardboard layer. Once 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 fits there.

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

Next, use a drywall saw to cut a hole in the board. To make the hole even, punch the drywall in one place and start sawing from there.

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 a frame to which you can already attach drywall. But the gypsum boards themselves must first be cut to size. Now we will figure out how this is done.

How and with 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 to cut gypsum board.

How to cut part of a leaf

So, we place a sheet of drywall with the inner (back) side on the floor (table) or place it upright, with its elbow on the wall, with the inner (back) side facing the wall, the outer (front) side towards you. Using a tape measure and a pencil, mark the distance that needs to be cut on the outer (front) side of the gypsum board. Make two marks on the top and bottom of the sheet with a pencil:

Then we take the rule ( building level, an even strip) apply to the marked marks and mark the line.

It's better to repeat it twice.

After we have cut the paper, we need to refract the sheet along the cut we made. To do this, take a sheet and turn it over with the inside facing you. We hold one part of the sheet in the left hand, the second (cut off) in the right. Moderate movement right hand on yourself (you can also help synchronously with your knee) break the sheet along the cut made:

The sheet broke exactly along the cut line:

The straight cut is ready.

How to make a cutout in a sheet

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

or holes, slits, for example, under engineering Communication, pipes. After all, if you just run 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 fracture will occur that is not at all along the contours we need. So what should we do? Here we need to act differently.

To do this, take a knife for drywall, colloquially “Fox”:

and saw through two sides:

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

Lightly hit the spot:

All that remains is to cut the paper on the other side with a knife:

Below is a link to a video about another drywall knife. I haven’t worked with him personally, but judging by the video, he cuts quite interestingly. 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 with what to cut drywall at home.

Everyone who works or plans to start working with HA is faced with the question of how to cut drywall. There are several ways to perform this simple and at the same time difficult operation.

The most popular is cutting plasterboard sheet in a straight line. To do this, the gypsum board is laid on a flat surface in a horizontal position. After this, using a pencil and a rule, a straight line is marked along which the incision is made. Then the sheet is turned over and cracked along the cut line on the other side. To understand how to cut drywall correctly, we will consider all situations and cutting methods in more detail.

First, let's decide what tool we need for this operation. How to cut drywall:

  • Regular or special drywall cutter with interchangeable blades
  • Roulette
  • Ruler, rule or cord for marking
  • Jigsaw with a fine file (for cutting sheets along uneven lines)

After cutting the plasterboard sheet, its edges will need to be processed, so for this we will use:

  • Chamfering plane
  • Roughing plane

How to cut drywall in a straight line

Cutting plasterboard in a straight line is not that difficult. To do this, lay the plasterboard on a flat horizontal surface (on the floor or on a table), take the necessary measurements using a simple pencil. It should be noted that it is not recommended to use a marker or pen for marking, as they leave marks that are then almost impossible to putty on.

After measurements, we leave marks on the bottom and top of the sheet. We apply a rule or level to these marks and draw a line.

Now let's start cutting. To do this we need a sharp knife with an adjustable blade length. In this case, the blade should protrude from the knife handle to a length not exceeding the thickness of the drywall. We make a cut along the left line. In order to make the line more even, you need to go over the cut with a knife 2-3 more times, this way we will deepen it.

If the sheet was lying on the table, then it is necessary to move it so that the part to be cut protrudes beyond the edges. Now you need to take the edges of the sheet and, with a sharp movement, carefully break it along the cut line, after which we make another cut with a knife from the back side.

If cutting the plasterboard sheet was carried out on the floor, then after making the cut it must be placed on its edge, and by lightly tapping on the whole side, make a break and then cut the cardboard with a knife.

On a note! Not suitable for cutting drywall circular saw. Using this tool can be compared to hammering nails with a stone. Such a saw creates a huge amount of dust, which has a detrimental effect on the mechanical parts of the tool and on your lungs.

How to correctly cut drywall in the shape of the letter L

Typically, a plasterboard sheet is cut in the shape of the letter L to cover a doorway. The operation is not difficult, but to perform it we will need a hacksaw, which we use to saw through the short part. The long part is cut according to the pattern described above with a knife.

How to cut drywall along an uneven line

A more complex process of cutting drywall along a curved line, for example when we need to cut an oval or circle. For this work we will need an additional tool - jigsaw with a fine file. You can try to cut the sheet with a knife, but there are very few guarantees that the cut will be smooth and neat.

When cutting drywall with a jigsaw, a lot of dust is generated, so you need to take care of the tools personal protection(safety glasses, respirator).

How to properly cut drywall installed on a wall

If it is necessary to sheathe with plasterboard sheets window slope or a corner of the wall and at the same time make sure that its edge perfectly coincides with the edges of the wall, then the cutting of the gypsum board is carried out “on the spot”, that is, the sheet already installed on the wall is cut. As a rule, to do this, attach a piece of drywall a little bigger size than necessary and after that the unnecessary parts are cut off.

To perform this operation correctly, the plasterboard sheet must be securely fastened to the frame. The cut is made along the side of the sheet that is adjacent to the sheathed surface. We draw along the outlined line several times, lightly pressing on the unnecessary piece. After this, we cut the sheet from the reverse side. In order to cut a sheet in the shape of the letter L on a sheet already attached to the frame, we cut a horizontal line with a hacksaw, after which we cut a vertical line with a knife.

How to cut a hole in drywall for an outlet or light bulb

Such holes are cut into the plasterboard sheet, usually after it has been installed. . How to cut drywall in this case?

For this operation we will need a drywall crown (circular saw) or a drywall hacksaw. IN construction stores you can purchase a set of crowns for HA different diameters. These devices are installed on a screwdriver or drill.

Cutting a hole with a hacksaw is more difficult, and the edges of the hole will not be as smooth.

Processing the edges of drywall after cutting

After cutting, the edges of a sheet of drywall are usually not very even and smooth. To make them more accurate and at the same time prepare the joints of the installed sheets for puttying, you need to chamfer them with a special plane. This can be done using a regular knife. Typically, the chamfer is removed at 2/3 of the sheet thickness at an angle of 45 degrees.

Cutting drywall correctly is not a difficult task, and we recommend an excellent video to help secure the material.

How to cut drywall video:

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