How do you cut stall mats?

How do you cut stall mats?

The ones I have in one of my stalls now are close to 20 years old, have been moved twice, and are curling up along the edges so badly they won’t stay down anymore. They are thinner mats with ‘dents’ in them - the new ones are 50% thicker and smooth. I remember how hard it was to cut THESE, I can’t imagine how you cut the new thicker ones (which I have in aisle of barn and outside on wash rack.)

Does a saw blade work?? We used tin snips for the current ones - don’t think it would work and I doubt I have the hand strength to do it anymore. There’s GOT to be an easier way…

I’m pretty sure the guys who put up my shelters used a saw to cut the mats to size – same portable electric saw they used to cut the lumber.

Show Sheen and a good sharp knife will cut them like butter. Just pour on the Show Sheen and cut…works like a charm!

I did this yesterday- it was easier than I thought it would be. I used a good sharp box knife and scored the rubber several times- then did a complete cut at one end of th estrip I weas cuting off- after that I could just pull against it and run the box knife down it and cut it apart easily…

Get a sharp knife and put a 2x4 right underneath where you want to cut. That way, the rubber mat won’t bind to your blade. then you just score it several times. The 2x4 will keep the scored line opened. It’s not hard.

I remember a thread on this and the solution was a blade knife and water ~ the water made the cutting easy so accuracy was possible.

The guy who put mine in used his circular saw - was really quick and easy.

Utility knives (box knife) work really well, just score a few times and your done!

Jigsaw. Years ago we used the circular saw but it sure was tough- lot of kick going through the rubber. The jigsaw was super easy.

[QUOTE=Gloria;4793300]
Get a sharp knife and put a 2x4 right underneath where you want to cut. That way, the rubber mat won’t bind to your blade. then you just score it several times. The 2x4 will keep the scored line opened. It’s not hard.[/QUOTE]

The 2x4 and a tiny bit of patience are the key. The 2x4 goes under the larger part, so the smaller portion being cut off falls away.

[QUOTE=Gloria;4793300]
Get a sharp knife and put a 2x4 right underneath where you want to cut. That way, the rubber mat won’t bind to your blade. then you just score it several times. The 2x4 will keep the scored line opened. It’s not hard.[/QUOTE]

Yep, this. :yes:

Also, it really saves your hands if you use vise grips to drag the mats around. They are so awkward to move.

We’ve used a saw to cut them, also we have used a knife to cut them. With a knife or utility knife we used a little oil (vegetable oil worked well) on the knife blade…

[QUOTE=Sithly;4794359]
Yep, this. :yes:

Also, it really saves your hands if you use vise grips to drag the mats around. They are so awkward to move.[/QUOTE]

C-clamps are also your friends when moving mats!:winkgrin:

I was going to say use a sawsall or your Handy Dremmel tool, but people are saying the box cutter works, so, there you go.

I am an old carpenter so have access to most of these tools. A good straight edge and a stanley knife would seem best to me…quickest and neat cuts. Please be very careful with the stanley knife…it leads ALL hand tools in the accident department. Putting the board underneath (running in the same direction as the cut)will encourage the matt to open up as it’s cut and lessen “pinching” of the knife blade. Any other soaps or other lubricants will help as long as you keep it well off the handle of the knife. Visegrips and/or c clamps are excellent moving ideas. All excellent advice.

My husband had very good luck using the SawsAll on our nice, heavy, thick rubber mats.

I used a power circular or a jigsaw with mine. No problems ever. I just used a couple of 2x4s underneath the mats running parallel on each side of the intended cut line to raise the mats up for blade clearance.

sawzall (spelling?)

Buy this utility knife from Home Depot:

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Hand-Tools-Cutting-Tools-Utility-Knives-Blades/Lenox/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xh9Zaq8qZw5/R-100086514/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

and some extra blades. That particular knife is very comfortable in hand and is extra easy to change blades.

Good advice so far. Snap a chalk line where you want the cut. 2x4 on edge under cut. Use knees or assistant to put opening pressure on cut line. The harder you push, the harder it is to make the cut since the rubber will close in on the blade and add a LOT of friction. Find the right, light pressure and it will open right up. When a blade stops cutting easily, change it for a new one-but you can turn it around first and use the other end.

It’s so quick and easy to do like this that I’d never bother to use a power tool for this job. I build stuff for a living and have no shortage of power tools. Don’t try to make your measurements too tight. Cut it so it will go in place easily without having to recut. Keep all the factory edges touching each other and only cut the outer cuts to fit.