Cutting PIR

[Monbees]

What is the best tool for cutting PIR? I know to be careful not to inhale the dust, but l can't seem to cut the stuff without making a lot of mess which is then difficult to clear up. I thought there was some advice on a previous thread but a search didn't find anything relevant - l probably didn't choose the right key words.

 

[madasafish]

Table saw with dust extractor

 

[Ian123]

Your always going to make dust cutting the stuff. For those without the full kit just use a fine cut hand saw.

 

[Newbeeneil]

I use a first fix hand saw, quick and easy, and with relatively large teeth you get minimal small particles.

 

[hemo]

I use a std 20/22pt handsaw, my old Dyson dc05 for cleaning up after.

 

[Swarm]

A knife. An old bread knife would do but I just use a sharp pen knife.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Bog standard handsaw - and do it outside

 

[Apiarisnt]

If you have a lot to do then a plunge saw / circular saw - and as JBM says, defintely outside.

I have a couple more 'cosies' to knock together so that is what I will be doing this lunchtime. I find that a thick slab over the crownboard plus four slabs of PIR for the sides, held together with bamboo skewers, seems to work.


If you have a lot of PIR to buy, then these chaps do pallet loads of rejects from Kingspan, Celotex etcetera: Seconds & Co Insulation - Nationwide Delivery - Based in Mid Wales

 

[MerryBee]

bread knife works a treat - no dust or small particles

 

[Monbees]

Thank you all for your advice. Alas, Madasafish, l do not have access to a tabletop saw nor dust extractor! Something much more basic for my two garden hives. I was using a hacksaw and that really didn't work very well. I now have other options. Thanks again.

 

[pargyle]

Thank you all for your advice. Alas, Madasafish, l do not have access to a tabletop saw nor dust extractor! Something much more basic for my two garden hives. I was using a hacksaw and that really didn't work very well. I now have other options. Thanks again.

For straight cuts just use sharp stanley knife with a straight edge for guidance. Cut as deep as the blade will allow - then snap the board on the point of the cut ... it will snap clean down to the facing foil on the other side - then just run the knife along the foil on that side ... easy peasy. Circles and curves however ... bit more difficult - jigsaw with a mask and goggles.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

For straight cuts just use sharp stanley knife with a straight edge for guidance. Cut as deep as the blade will allow - then snap the board on the point of the cut ... it will snap clean down to the facing foil on the other side - then just run the knife along the foil on that side ... easy peasy. Circles and curves however ... bit more difficult - jigsaw with a mask and goggles.

same as if you were cutting plasterboard - I used to use my pocket knife though as I could cut deeper.

 

[pargyle]

same as if you were cutting plasterboard - I used to use my pocket knife though as I could cut deeper.

Yes ... a stanley type blade is fine for 25mm but you are right ... 50mm needs a bit deeper cut to make sure you get a clean break.

 

[Newbeeneil]

I find a hand saw gives a good straight vertical edge, especially with anything thicker than 2". Some of my top insulation is 4" with a pocket cut out for a takeaway container full of fondant.

 

[Apiarisnt]

Dust to dust....

 

[derekm]

table saw with dust extraction... router tables work with PIR as well.
Making hives in PIR since 2011

 

[madasafish]

Dust to dust....



View attachment 23107

Nice non vertical cut

 

[Apiarisnt]

Nice non vertical cut

Yes, if you look back at the picture in my previous post you will see that I put in a 15 degree chamfer along the top so that the rain runs off the outside of the PIR cladding, not inside onto the hive.

 

[Bodiam Bees]

Some of us are lucky enough to own table saws, skill saws, plunge saws, guide rails and dust extractors yet for many a Stanley knife, straight edge and tape measure will do amply. For 50mm PIR I flip it over and repeat on the reverse and snap to leave a clean cut face. Job done.

 

[Briar]

I use one of these, which works well

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bahco-wt...VmOFRCh0l5gKqEAQYASABEgKaMfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds