Cutting a rubber mat

[wrenchere85]

I have a 4'x6' 3/4 thick rubber stable mat from TSC, that I need to cut to fit around a chimney.It will be used as a
floor mat. Any suggestions on how to cut it? Maybe a sawsall? Skill saw? chain saw? Way too thick for a razor knife.

 

[Dieseltech]

Last one I cut with a skillsaw, be ready for some smoke though if blade is not really sharp.

 

[Stephen Newell]

If it was me I would cut it on a tablesaw. Just cut slowly. Some of that soft stuff is really dangerous. One of the most dangerous things you can cut on a tablesaw is Styrofoam.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

My entire workshop floor is covered by the same type of mat , they really are practical and comfortable .
I cut all of them with a ' box cutter ' type of knife . It takes a little patience but the result is really accurate and neat .You really only have to score the top of the mat deeply , then flex the cut open while cutting further , sounds difficult but is really quite easy a fairly quick . It only took a few hours for me to lay the floor of a six by five metre building with many cut outs for doors , bench legs and other fixtures .Lubricating the blade while cutting makes it glide smoothly as well , just some detergent and water is enough .

 

[504]

I would try a sawzall, with a blade with the teeth ground off. The smooth blade will melt through the rubber and not plug up like teeth will. A buddy at a tire shop told me that is what they use to cut up foam filled skid steer tires.

 

[circus]

(quoted from post at 12:13:08 10/15/23) I would try a sawzall, with a blade with the teeth ground off. The smooth blade will melt through the rubber and not plug up like teeth will. A buddy at a tire shop told me that is what they use to cut up foam filled skid steer tires.

That's similar to how I sliced up some tires. Sharpened a saws-all metal blade to an knifes edge. Used a cutoff wheel for the wire at the bead.

 

[Mule Meat]

(quoted from post at 12:07:33 10/15/23) If it was me I would cut it on a tablesaw..

Cut a 3/4" thick rubber mat using a table saw.. Are you serious?
=================

A Jig saw with finer blades works good at cutting thick rubber mats. And you can cut them the way you want from straight to circles. Lay it on something so that the blade does not hit the bench or ground. A spray bottle with water and a small amount of dish soap will keep the blade cool so it will not gum up.

 

[Roger in Iowa]

Chisel and heavy hammer against a steel surface?

 

[Briar Hill Brittanys]

I used a utility knife with a new blade. Marked the line, hung it over a two by four. Scored it once, then flexed along the cut. It cuts really easy if it its flexed.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Oscillating multi-tool. I use one to cut sidewalls out of tires. Cuts like butter. Smooth sharp blade works best.

 

[Hemmjo]

All of the methods listed so far will work. One should note, if using a circular saw or table saw to cut such things, use a sharp blade and put the blade on BACKWARD. This prevents the teeth from grabbing the soft material and jerking it into the blade.

 

[Alvin 41]

I've cut them with a hand saw. Easy if you have some way to pull the mat apart as you cut.

 

[Alvin 41]

I've cut them with a handsaw. Easy if you have some way to pull the mat apart as you cut.

 

[Brownie450]

I've had very good luck with a sabre saw & a razor
blade. I believe the blades were Black & Decker.
Cuts rubber like you wouldn't believe.
Jim

 

[RESLLS]

Spray or dip the blade in something like wd40. Will slide through a lot easier. Any spray lube will work, silicone included.

 

[dcarp]

My entire workshop floor is covered by the same type of mat , they really are practical and comfortable .
I cut all of them with a ' box cutter ' type of knife . It takes a little patience but the result is really accurate and neat .You really only have to score the top of the mat deeply , then flex the cut open while cutting further , sounds difficult but is really quite easy a fairly quick . It only took a few hours for me to lay the floor of a six by five metre building with many cut outs for doors , bench legs and other fixtures .Lubricating the blade while cutting makes it glide smoothly as well , just some detergent and water is enough .

I have a few of those mats also. I cut them with a box cutter also. Use a straight guide first cut, then just repeat until cut is complete. Just as Charles described.

 

[PJH]

I have a few of those mats also. I cut them with a box cutter also. Use a straight guide first cut, then just repeat until cut is complete. Just as Charles described.

I agree with Charles and dcarp.

 

[dahlin]

I use a sawall and it works real good

 

[Factotum]

I've used a box cutter. Like mentioned before it works well enough. I wouldn't want to do it all day though. A buddy used a circular saw to do it when laying a gym floor at his house. Big smelly smoke and messy was how that worked for him. Maybe wrong blade or dull.

 

[RobCons]

Box cutter and lay the mat on a 2x4 or something similar. Just make several passes. Not a terrible task. To move those heavy things use the special grib tool sold at TSC or a pair of vise grips.