Cutting Drywall
#1
03-09-11, 10:51 AM
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Cutting Drywall
I am going to have to replace some drywall with a piece that is about 24 inches tall by about 48 inches wide. With such a big piece cutting with a utility knife seems like it would be a lot of work. Would I be able to use a circular saw to cut the piece or would it mess up my saw? After cutting it, I assume you just put it up on the wall and run screws through the drywall and into the joints correct?
Thanks.
Thanks.
#2
03-09-11, 11:34 AM
Cutting it with a cir cular saw will dull your blade and throw dust all over the place. I suspect the clean up of that will be equal to the work of using a knife. I don't have experience in this area, but you give a good score line with your knife on the studs and then use a small hand saw to cut between.
When you screw the new piece on, you don't want the screw heads to break through the paper face.
When you screw the new piece on, you don't want the screw heads to break through the paper face.
#3
03-09-11, 11:42 AM
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cutting Drywall
Are we talking about cutting the damage piece from the wall or are we talking about cutting the new piece for the repair?
Cutting the new is simply scoring one side with a utility knife and breaking, then cutting the paper on the other side( for straight cuts). Curved cuts can be done with a jig saw.
Cutting the new is simply scoring one side with a utility knife and breaking, then cutting the paper on the other side( for straight cuts). Curved cuts can be done with a jig saw.
#4
03-09-11, 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by drooplug
Cutting it with a cir cular saw will dull your blade and throw dust all over the place. I suspect the clean up of that will be equal to the work of using a knife. I don't have experience in this area, but you give a good score line with your knife on the studs and then use a small hand saw to cut between.
When you screw the new piece on, you don't want the screw heads to break through the paper face.
When you screw the new piece on, you don't want the screw heads to break through the paper face.
#5
03-09-11, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Wirepuller38
Are we talking about cutting the damage piece from the wall or are we talking about cutting the new piece for the repair?
Cutting the new is simply scoring one side with a utility knife and breaking, then cutting the paper on the other side( for straight cuts). Curved cuts can be done with a jig saw.
Cutting the new is simply scoring one side with a utility knife and breaking, then cutting the paper on the other side( for straight cuts). Curved cuts can be done with a jig saw.
#6
03-09-11, 11:50 AM
Super Moderator
davids...if you mean cutting the replacement piece...you just score with a knife and snap across the uncut side. If you are talking about the removal of the old piece..mark a straight line, score with a knife..then use a jab saw to cut between the studs and then, (what I have done) an old wide chisel to remove most of it right to the line and the knife to clean it up. Will take a few blades, sure, but they are cheap.
You'll still have to tape and mud, but you'd have to do that no matter what.
You'll still have to tape and mud, but you'd have to do that no matter what.
#7
03-09-11, 11:54 AM
Super Moderator
Reading the replies (I'm a slow typer)...a new sharp blade is only good for maybe 6-8 ft of deep cuts. Just scoring will last much longer.
Also...if the wall has a skim coat of plaster..it's tougher as well.
Also...if the wall has a skim coat of plaster..it's tougher as well.
#8
03-09-11, 12:26 PM
I just use a Sheetrock saw to cut between the studs. Then screw cleats to the studs on either side to fasten the new Sheetrock to. If you try to cut down the center of the stud you may hit a couple of nails leading to a messy cut.
One of the new vibrating power saws would probably work well but I still use a hand Sheetrock saw because it creates less dust and less likely to cut pipe or cable.
One of the new vibrating power saws would probably work well but I still use a hand Sheetrock saw because it creates less dust and less likely to cut pipe or cable.
#10
03-09-11, 01:27 PM
I was on a job once where the carpenter forgot to frame up the kitchen soffits and he was going to hang the rock at the same time. He used a skil saw to cut the drywall - I thought the condo was on fire! The dust looked like a big cloud of smoke 
A combination of a hand saw and utility knife works well to cut the old rock. Cut the new to size with the utility knife, use the saw to cut out boxes or a radius. A straight edge is real nice to help get an straight cut
A combination of a hand saw and utility knife works well to cut the old rock. Cut the new to size with the utility knife, use the saw to cut out boxes or a radius. A straight edge is real nice to help get an straight cut
#11
03-10-11, 04:55 AM
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The jab saw worked great. Got my fish line down the hole and I am hitting the bottom, just not in the exact spot. I will more than likely drill another hole in the wall downstairs since I will be putting a plate on it. Just have to find where it is in the wall.
