Easy Ways On How To Cut Lexan

Lexan is also known as Polycarbonate. It is a type of lightweight plastic that you can use for various DIY home projects, construction projects as well as backing board. You can also use Lexan as a layer to add extra insulation to a wide range of items, from your corrective lenses, protective windshields and bottles. Thanks to the nature of the plastic, it is quite easy to cut Lexan with various types of tools.

Today, we will show you how to cut Lexan with our step by step guide. Most importantly you need to think about the right tool for the project. The choice of which tool to uses depends on the thickness of a piece of Lexan, the patters you want to cut and the purpose of the project. Then you can follow the other steps on handling the chosen tool to cut Lexan nicely and smoothly.

What Are Lexan?

Lexan is a type of polycarbonate resin. This type of material is lightweight and durable as it is resistant against heat and electricity. It is even tougher than a cement board. It also has a high optical clarity. Last but not least, it can be easily bought from many stores with a very affordable price. That is the reason why this material is very popular among DIY hobbyists. If you learn how to cut it now, you will see that this will be really useful for your next projects in the future.

How To Choose The Right Tool?

First of all, you need to decide which tool that you would need in order to cut Lexan. The right tool will ensure that you can cut a piece of Lexan in a short time, resulting in clean and smooth cuts.

Here are 3 things that you need to consider when you choose the right tool- the softness of a piece of Lexan, its thickness and the pattern which you want to cut the piece of Lexan into.

• Softness of Lexan: First of all, the best tool to handle of soft and fragile sheet of Lexan is a utility knife. And if it is tougher and stiffer, you can use other tools including hand shears or a circular saw.
• Thickness of Lexan: In case a sheet of Lexan is thin and fragile, you should use a utility knife. For thicker Lexan, you can use a hand shears. For any piece of Lexan which is more than 0.125 inches, you can use a circular saw. In case of a sheet of Lexan which is more than 0.5 inches, you should use a table saw to cut the Lexan.
• Pattern: For curved cuts on a piece of Lexan, you can use a jigsaw. This tool is also suitable for cutting other unique and original pattern. Provided that you want to cut only the middle of a sheet of Lexan, you can use table saw. This tool is able to reach for further areas without you having to cut through to it.​

What Are Other Things That You Need In Order To Cut Lexan?

Other things that you should prepare before cutting Lexan are pencil, ruler, duct tape and C-clamp. Pencil and ruler are used to measure and mark the cutting points and lines.. On the other hand, duct tape and C-clam are used for keeping the piece of Lexan stable and in place during the cutting process.

Steps To Take Before You Cut The Sheet Of Lexan With Different Tools:

These steps are applicable for all of the tools that you are going to use to cut Lexan.

Step 1: Lay the sheet of Lexan on a clean working surface. This surface should also be flat and stable. A stable working surface will ensure you have consistent cuts and avoid having edgy cuts as much as possible. You should also place another stable and flat board underneath the piece of Lexan if you don’t want the tool such as the utility knife to cut through the working table and cause scratches on the surface.

If you notice a thin layer of protective layer on the sheet of Lexan, don’t remove it. This piece of paper is there to protect the piece of Lexan and you should leave it there to have clean and smooth cuts.

Step 2: Use the ruler and pencil to mark the points or lines that you are going to cut. You should use a pencil instead of permanent marker as you can erase the marks later on. You can also use duct tape and place it on the sheet as an outline for your intended cut.

Step 3: In case you think that the working surface is quite slippery, you can use duct tape on the edges or cover the lines on the sheet of Lexan that you are going to cut. You can use C-clamps in case the sheet of Lexan is thicker to keep the sheet in place.

Note: Make sure when you use duct tape to fix the sheet of Lexan on the working surface, you don’t stretch the sheet too much. Otherwise, the cuts will be distorted.

How To Cut Lexan Using A Utility Knife:

Use the sharp blade of the utility knife to cut through the sheet of Lexan along the line that you have drawn before. Make sure you follow a slow and steady space so that you wouldn’t cut out of the intended line.

Check that you only a sharp blade. In case you use a blunt blade, not only will it take a longer time for you to cut, it also cause potential damages to yourself.

How To Cut Lexan Using A Pair Of Hand Spears:

Follow the lines that you have marked on the sheet of Lexan slowly and steadily to avoid wobbles and unclear cuts. For smoother cuts, instead of making two spears close completely, you should stop when they are just about to close.

Note: You can add extra drops of light machine oil on the blades as well as spears of your hand spears. This will help you to cut through a piece of Lexan quicker, having much smoother cuts as a result.

How To Cut Lexan Using A Circular Saw:

For a sheet which is thicker than 0.125 inches, you should use a circular saw for the best result. You should go for the blade with fine and even teeth. Make sure that the blade that you use is the sharpest.

Step 1: Turn on the circular saw and move it toward the sheet of Lexan.

Step 2: You don’t have to apply too much force. Instead, just let the saw cut the Lexan itself. Move it in a slow and steady speed.

Step 3: Stop the saw when you finally cut through the sheet of Lexan.

In case you don’t have a powered circular saw, you can also use a handsaw. This tool will take much effort and time for you to cut through the sheet of Lexan. Still, it is also very convenient and will be a great substitute. Also choose a fine tooth saw blade and follow the same steps as above.

How To Cut Lexan Using A Jig Saw:

You can cut Lexan with this tool using the similar steps that you would take when you cut with a circular saw.

The blade that you are going to use with this jig saw is a metal cutting blade. Make sure that the blade that you use is the sharpest. Also check if the sheet of Lexan can stay firmly and stably on the working station. Use C-clamps for extra stability.

Turn on the jig saw and guide it toward the mark that you have drawn on the sheet. Move the blade slowly and steadily. You don’t have to force or push down the saw at all. Complete all of the cutting before turning the jig saw off.

How To Cut Lexan Using A Table Saw:

Step 1: First of all, you have to mount the table saw on the working table. Raise the blade so that it is about 0.5 inches higher than the surface of the saw table.

Step 2: After that, you can push the sheet into the saw. When the sheet makes contact with the blade, follow a slow and steady space.

For other tools, you don’t have to press the blade too hard into the sheet of Lexan. However, you should apply a moderate amount of pressure. Too much or too little pressure will lead to the cracking of the sheet of Lexan.

Tip: Instead of drawing the cut line on the sheet of Lexan with a pencil, you should use duct tape to cover the line that you intend to cut. Duct tape will prevent the Lexan from chipping when you cut it under high speed and pressure.

Warning: To make sure that you stay safe and avoid accidents from happening when you cut through these pieces of Lexan using circular saw, jig saw and table saw, you need to put on your safety glasses and dust mask. You should only work in a well ventilated area and avoid breathing in the fumes that are coming out of the saw blade. Be aware of your surroundings to make sure that you will not hurt anyone that accidentally passes by.

If you notice smoke coming out when you are cutting the Lexan, you should slow down the sliding until the smoke stops and then continue pushing the sheet of Lexan forward.

After Cutting The Lexan

When you finish cutting, you can use medium grit to sand and make the edges of the cut pieces to become cleaner and smoother. Sanding also helps to remove the residual crumbs after the Lexan is cut.

As you can see, it is quite easy for you to handle and cut a piece of Lexan. The most difficult thing here maybe is about how to choose the right tool for the project. Pieces of Lexan with different thickness and softness will require different cutting tools. In addition, based on your need to have straight cuts or curved cuts, you also need to choose the tool accordingly.

I hope with all of the guides and useful tips above, you would be able to choose the most appropriate tool for your projects. Follow all of the steps on cutting Lexan for different tools and I am sure that you would be able to have very clean and smooth cuts from Lexan.

How To Harden Wood – 3 Ways

A piece of rotted wood deserves a second chance. Do you know that sometimes, wood which seems to be such a waste as it is soft and rotted can be hardened and useable? If you know how to harden wood in a proper way, it can be firm enough for fixings as well as structural integrity. Take a look at the article below for some of the most effective methods you can use to harden a piece of wood.

Read more: Best Tool Sets 2020 – Are Corrosion Resistant Tools The Best?

Is It Worth Hardening A Piece Of Wood?

Sometimes a piece of wood is not really worth being hardened at all. So always check before you decide to harden any wood log. Use using your hand to remove any loose piece. If you can easily do so, it is not worth keeping and hardening this piece of wood at all.

In case you find it hard to remove any loose bit or couldn’t do it at all, or in case the piece of wood is only soft, you can harden it for your future woodworking project.

Here are all of the things that you can do to harden wood:

1. Using The Fire Hardening Method

This is one of the most common methods that you can use to harden a piece of wood. This method is called as the fire hardening method. While it is called this way, the element which helps to harden the wood is not the fire, but the heat.

The heat coming from the fire will extract the moisture out of the piece of wood. The wood grain inside the piece of wood will be tightened together as a consequence.

This method is quite hard to use. It requires you to be extremely careful to avoid yourself from getting burned. Also too much heat will damage the quality of that piece of wood. If you put the piece of wood too close to the heat and for a long time, the piece of wood can scorch or burn.

The key thing to this method is that you need to be very patient. You might even have to try several times before you can fully master this technique. You can use the fire hardening method for making spears or arrows.

Here are all of the steps to follow to harden wood with fire:

Step 1: Prepare a fire pit. If you don’t have one, you can dig a hole; place some rocks as well as pieces of charcoal in the middle.

Step 2: Light up the charcoal. Blow slowly and gently into the pit for the flame to become bigger.

Step 3: Continue to throw in some small pieces of charcoal to the fire until the flame is stable enough. The best flame that you should aim for is the one which is 6 inches high. It should also have a blue center.

Step 4: Hold the piece of wood over the flames for a few minutes. Make sure that you don’t put the piece of wood too close to the flame. There should be a gap of around 3 inches between the flame and the piece of wood.

Step 5: When an area gets just a little bit warmer, you need to turn that piece of wood around. You should change sides of the wood constantly to avoid a particular from being overheated.

Step 6: Stop once in a while to check the condition of the piece of wood. If the surface of such piece looks dry, it means that all of the moisture is extracted. That piece of wood is now harder than before.

Step 7: Place this piece of wood in a cool dry place for it to cool down. You now finish hardening a piece of wood using the fire hardening method.

2. Using A Strengthening Epoxy

When the fibers of a piece of wood become loose, you can apply a strengthening epoxy to the surface of that wood to make sure these fibers remain bound together. After you apply the strengthening epoxy, you would be able to even hammer it with nails or do anything just like what you do with firm and sturdy pieces of wood.

This method is easy to apply, even for an amateur at woodworking. A strengthening epoxy is also widely available at very reasonable prices. However, be prepared that for large pieces of wood, it will take several days for them to reach the hardness that you want.

Here are all of the steps you need to do to harden wood with a strengthening epoxy product:

• Step 1: First of all, you need to remove all of the dirt and debris on the surface of the piece of wood. This will prevent them from sticking permanently on the surface of the pieces of wood when you apply the strengthening epoxy.
• Step 2: Mix the ingredients of the strengthening epoxy with the ratio recommendation from the manufacturer in a bowl. Each strengthening epoxy has a different ratio and way to mix with water. So make sure you follow the instructions carefully in order to achieve the best results.
• Step 3: Stir the bowl well until all of the ingredients are mixed together and the liquid becomes thicker. Don’t use the liquid yet when it is only as thick as glue. However, the thicker liquid like paste wouldn’t also be effective.
• Step 4: Then use an applicator brush and apply a layer of the mixture on the wood. Spread the mixture evenly over the soft section which you want it to be hardened. You are going to throw the brush after this project so go for a disposable one.
• Step 5: Wait for the strengthening epoxy to penetrate deeply into the wood and the remaining solvents to dry up. For a small piece of wood, it only takes just a few hours. However, for a large piece, it will take even up to a few days.
• Step 6: For a much harder piece of wood, you might consider adding more layers of strengthening epoxy to the wood. After the first layer dries, apply another layer following the steps above.

Tips:

• When you apply the strengthening epoxy on the surface of a piece of wood, use as much as you can.
• In case you have to deal with a very soft piece of wood, drill a hole into the middle of the wood and fill it with a strengthening epoxy. It also applies in case you need to harden a large piece of wood. With this way, the epoxy can penetrate much quickly into a vast area of the wood.
• As I mentioned above, it would take quite a long time for the strengthening epoxy to penetrate and the solvent to dry up. You can quicken the process by placing the piece of wood you are working with a dry place. Temperature is also a key factor here. The lower the temperature, the quicker the strengthening epoxy can help to harden your piece of wood.

3. Using Polycryl

Polycryl is a form of wood fortifier that helps to harden a soft area of a piece of wood. It is safe, cheap and easy to use. Not to mention that it is quite a safe product. After a piece of wood is hardened with this product, the appearance of the wood will not be altered.

Here are all of the steps to harden a piece of wood using Polycryl:

Step 1: Most of the time when you buy Polycryl on the market, it comes in a concentrated form. If it is the case, you need to dilute it with water. Follow the instructions on the label of the Polycryl for the recommended ratio of water and Polycryl. Mix water and Polycryl in a bow. Stir well.

Step 2: Remove all of the dirt and debris on the surface of the wood. It will prevent these particles from sticking permanently onto the wood.

Step 3: Use an applicator brush and soak it into the mixture of Polycryl and water.

Step 4: Then apply a thin layer of Polycryl on the soft areas.

Step 5: Place the piece of wood aside in a cool and dry place. You need to wait for a couple of hours for the solution to penetrate deeply to the piece of wood.

Step 6: After step 5, if the piece of wood is not as hard as you want, continue to apply more Polycryl.

You can use all of the steps above to harden a small piece of wood. For a big piece of wood, instead of brushing Polycryl, you can soak the entire piece in the Polycryl solution.

The main problem with this type of solution is that Polycryl is water soluble. Hence, if you want to use a piece of wood which is treated with Polycryl, you need to apply a finish layer. This layer should be waterproof in order to protect the wood well.

Here are 3 most common methods that you can use to harden a piece of wood. You can use a fire to harden the wood. You can also use a strengthening epoxy or Polycryl. Using fire is a quick and efficient method but it will certainly take a long time. On the other hand, using chemicals such as a strengthening epoxy or Polycryl is easier. However, it will take time, especially if you work on a big piece of wood. The choice of which method to use depends on your needs, preferences, and your skills. Or you can attempt all of these 3 methods to see which one works the best for you.

How To Sharpen Planer Blades

If you own a planer at home, you would know that cleaning and maintaining the planer are very important if you want this piece of machinery to perform well. In addition, when your planer is in good condition, it will last for many years. Among all of the parts in the planer, the blades of the planer are some of the most important parts. They help the planer to do its job properly and prevent unwanted accidents when you use the machine.

And in order to maintain the planer blades, you need to know how to sharpen them. This task is not difficult at all if you know which tools to use and which steps to follow. Read this guide below to see how to sharpen planner blades in the most effective way.

For this method, you should use a whetstone in order to sharpen the blades of a planer.

• Pros of this method: For this method, you don’t have to create any complicated jib in order to do the job. You can also use this method for all type of planers, whether they are floor standing planer, lunch box planer or benchtop planer.

• Cons of this method: However, this method requires you to be more careful with the blades in order to prevent the sharp blades from causing damage to your body.

Step 1: First of all, you need to prepare the blades for them to be sharpened. Take the guide out and place it onto a clean and even surface. Then place the blades of the planer out and place it to the guide. Position the blades carefully so that they are in the bevel side down position.

Step 2: Apply a thin layer of tapping oil on the whetstone. Tapping oil will help to clean off metal more effectively.

Step 3: Use the coarse side of the whetstone in order to remove any nick on the blade of the planer. Push the whetstone along the blade. Don’t pull the whetstone in order to prevent burr on the edge of the blades.

Step 4: After you get rid of the nicks on the blade, move whetstone on the blades to sharpen them. Remember that you should only apply the stone onto the areas at which there is no vibration. If the blades move rigorously during the process of sharpening, it will lead to a curved edge on the blades of the planer.

Step 5: After you sharpen the blades of the planner with the whetstone, use the medium and fine grit to further sharpen these blades.

For the second method, I am going to use a sharpening jig for sharpening the planer blades

• Pros of this method: This method is more effective in term of sharpening the planer blades. Another great benefit of this method is that you don’t have to take the blades out for sharpening. As a result, it is safer for you.

• Cons of this method: This method only works for floor standing planer. It doesn’t work for some lunch box and benchtop planer.

Step 1: First, you need to set up the sharpening jig. Take the look at the picture below to see all of the parts of this sharpening jig. The type of wood which can be used is the dense and hard type of wood like maple.

Alternatively, you can buy a ready-made sharpening jig at any local store. This planer sharpener is made to help you to hone as well as sharpen both sides of the planer blades without having to take off the blades. Some products also come with coarse and fine grit.

Step 2: Place this sharpening jig on the top of the cutterhead. Adjust the cutterhead so that the bevel side of the planer blade is placed under the stone. Make sure that it also points toward the center of the sharpening stone as well.

Step 3: Lock down the cutterhead. This will prevent the blades from moving and causing frictions. There are 2 main ways you can use to lock down the cutterhead. The first method is you can clamp the belts of the cutterhead to the pulley. The second method is clamping the cutterhead with a wedge.

Step 4: Move and tilt the sharpening jig forward several times to sharpen the blades of the planer.

Finally, here are some safety precautions to take note when you deal with the planer and its blades:

• 1. Before you sharpen the planer blades, make sure you turn off and unplug the machine.
• 2. Since the blades are rough, even the dull ones will be sharp enough to cut you, you need to be careful. Never brush up against these blades. Some blades have two sharp sides so be careful whenever you handle any blade.
• 3. Apply a lot of pressure on the planer blades and the sharpening tools. It will help to keep the blades away from vibrating.
• 4. Remember that you need to check the blades of the planer frequently to make sure they always stay sharp and flat. You can check for the conditions of the planer blades by tilting them toward the light. If the planer blades are in good condition, they would look flat.
• 5. There are several sharpening tools that you can use as well. For example, you can use the coarse grit, the waterstones which are from 1000 to 8000 grit, sandpaper or oilstone. The choice of which sharpening tools to use is purely based on your personal preference.

Here are all of the steps you should follow in order to sharpen planer blades. It is critical for the machine to keep up the good work if you keep sharpening the blades frequently. You can use a whetstone for this task. Alternatively, you can set up a sharpening jig so that you can sharpen the blades without taking them out of the machine. I hope that with all of the information above, you would be able to find the best and most suitable way to sharpen the planer blades. Remember the safety tips as well and you will never fail on sharpening planer blades.

How To Straighten Wood With Easy Steps

How To Cut Hardboard – 3 Common Ways

You might have to use hardboard more often than you might think. This is one of the most common materials that you would use in your house to decorate various items. You can use hardboard for covering floors, doors as well as cabinets and panels. You can also use it for siding. You can replace it for plywood to save cost as well. This material is also the favorite choice of many DIY beginners as it is easy to deal with. The smooth surface of a piece of hardwood is ideal for any painting jobs.

Because hardwood is so common in many woodworking projects, it is understandable that you know how to deal with this type of material well- including cutting it. In case you are searching for the best ways to deal with cutting hardboard, the guide below is for you.

Read on to see the best way you can use to hardboard for your projects.

Things you need to know about hardboard and cutting hardboard:

• Hardboard is cheap and widely available. It is also a very durable material.
• This type of material has no grain. It can be cut in any direction.
• You need to place the neater side of the piece of hardboard upward. The side with texture should be placed downward.
• When you cut hardboard, make sure you finish the cut in one go. If you cut and then stop in the middle, you will damage the hardboard and cause cracks on the surface of the board.
• Consider putting on a pair of safety goggles to prevent the small particles from getting into your eyes.

Tools you would need for the project:

• A piece of hardboard
• A pencil
• A measuring tape and a ruler
• A table saw/ a circular saw or a jigsaw. These tools need to have a sharp blade with a lot of teeth. The most suitable blade for a table saw or a circular saw is a carbide blade with fine and even teeth.

>>> If you want to cut straight lines, you should use a table saw or a circular saw. On the other hand, use a jigsaw if you want to cut curved lines.

Steps on preparing the hardboard for cutting

Step 1: To prepare the hardboard for cutting, you should place it on a flat and stable working surface. Make sure that the piece of hardboard would not move when you cut it. Consider clamping it down with clamps.

You should place the clamps as close to the point where you want to cut the hardboard as possible. This will ensure that the vibrations will less likely to occur during the areas where you are going to cut. Vibration is the thing that you want to avoid if you want to have the smooth cuts from the hardboard.

Moreover, the bigger the piece of hardwood is, the more clamps that you should use to make sure the hardboard can stay stable.

Step 2: Use the measuring tape to measure how much you want to cut with the hardboard. Use the pencil to mark down the cuts that you want to have. Use a straight ruler to draw a straight line on the piece of hardboard.

Step 3: Cover the other side of the drawn lines with tape. This is not a compulsory step but it makes sure you have the cleanest and smoothest cuts, especially when you use a table saw to cut hardboard. When you operate the table saw at high speed, the blade of the table saw can lead to torque and rip off edges of the cut pieces. With the tape covering the drawn lines, the blade would cause fewer vibrations. Hence, the cuts would be cleaner and smoother.

1. How to cut hardboard with a table saw:

Read more: 10 Best Table Saw for Woodworkers 2020 – Buyer’s and Guide

Step 1: As I mentioned above, install the carbide tipped saw blade into the table saw before you cut hardboard. The blade should have many teeth so that the cuts can be smooth. Go for a blade that has around 80 to 100 teeth.

Step 2: Set the measurements of the fence at the levels which are suitable for the dimensions of the piece of the hardboard.

Step 3: Adjust the hardboard so that the blade of the circular saw points towards the line that you have drawn on the hardboard for cutting.

Step 4: Turn on the table saw. Use both of your hand to move the hardboard so that the blade of the saw can cut into the drawn line. Move in a slow and steady speed. Slow down if you think the motor has a straining sound.

2. How to cut hardboard with a circular saw:

Read more: The 8 Best Circular Saw in 2019 – How to Pick Right!

Step 1: Install the carbide tipped saw blade into the circular saw before you cut hardboard. The blade should have many teeth so that the cuts can be smooth. Go for a blade that has around 50 to 60 teeth.

Step 2: Make sure that the piece of hardwood is clamped down firmly.

Step 3: Point the circular saw’s blade towards the point at which you want to cut the piece of hardwood.

Step 4: Turn on the circular saw and guide the blade of the saw along the drawn lines on the cutting board.

Step 5: After you cut the hardboard, consider sanding these edges of the cut hardboard to make these edges become smoother.

3. How to cut hardboard with a circular saw:

Read More: Best Mini Circular Saws – The 4 Best Options For 2020 Review

Step 1: Use a sharp blade and install it to the circular saw. Choose the one with the most teeth as possible. The more teeth a blade has, the smoother the edges of the cuts are.

Step 2: Clamp the piece of hardboard down firmly. You should place the clamps as close to the line you want to cut as possible. It would help to prevent vibrations in these areas.

Step 3: Turn on the circular saw and guide the blade of this saw along the lines you have drawn on the hardboard. Make sure that you don’t push too hard on the circular saw. Just guide the blade lightly and let it do its job.

Here are all of the steps that you can do in order to cut hardboard. As you can see, it doesn’t require complicated or powerful machinery in order for you to cut board. For straight cuts, you can use a table saw or a circular saw. And if you want to have curved cuts, choose a circular saw. As long as you pick up the right tool and having a proper knowledge of cutting hardboard, I am sure that you would be able to finish your project in a short amount of time.

How To Cut Metal Pipe

The metal pipes that you bought might come in the shapes and sizes that don’t meet your requirements. It is easy to fix this problem, though. All you need is to cut them to the length that you need. There are several methods that you can use to cut these metal pipes. Different methods and different tools are chosen depending on different types of pipes that you want to cut.

In case you need to cut your metal pipes, follow these guides below. I will present you the most common methods on cutting the most common types of metal pipes- including copper pipes and steel pipes.

Before You Start:

Regardless of which method you choose or which type of metal you are cutting, you need to follow these safety precautions to make sure you can stay safe while cutting your metal pipe:

• When you cut through metal pipes, the chance is high that sparks will be formed. These sparks can get into your skin or become a huge fire hazard. To protect yourself from these sparks, you need to wear your personal protective equipment including your protective gloves and your goggles.
• Wear suitable clothes. Wear a jacket with the shade of 7 to 9. Avoid wearing clothes which are made from natural fibers. These materials are known to catch fire quickly.
• In addition, you should work in a room with good air ventilation or outside. Remove anything which is flammable within your working range.
• Finally, if you decide to use powered tool or torches, make sure that you have prior training and know well on how to operate these machines.
• Tools you need for the project including the cutting tool, the measuring tape, and the marker pen.

Which Tools You Can Use To Cut Metal Pipe

​In order to cut metal pipe, you would need to use different tools depending on the diameter of the pipe that you want to cut.

• For cutting a pipe with the diameter from 2 to 12 inches, you can use a standard tubing cutter. This is one of the most basic tools which are suitable if you have limited working station.
• In case you have metal pipes with the diameter from 0.25 inches to 12 inches, you can use a handsaw or power saw. These tools are suitable for cutting pipes in both home setting and worksite. You can go for the hacksaw or the reciprocating pipe saw. They are both lightweight and easy to use. Just make sure you follow all of the precaution steps.
• For cutting thick metal pipes with the diameter from 4 inches to 80 inches, you can use torches. These tools are powerful and very effective. However, they are among the most dangerous tools. Contractors and professional workers enjoy using torches to cut metal pipes. Still, if you use these tools at home, make sure you have the proper training and knowledge. Some torches like the plasma torch can be used to cut metal pipes which are 0.25 inch in diameter or even thinner.

How To Cut Copper Pipes

Here are the recommended steps on cutting copper pipes with a copper pipe cutter.

Step 1: Use the measuring tape to measure the length that you need to cut. Then mark the spot you want to cut with the marker.

Step 2: Place the copper pipe on a stable table. Make sure that the point and the part that you want to cut are over the table.

Step 3: Get the copper tubing cutter ready. Turn the bottom wheel in the counterclockwise direction to open the cutter.

Step 4: Then direct the copper pipe cutter on the spot that you want to cut. Afterwards, you need to tighten the cutter. Just rotate the wheel in the clockwise direction until the blade of the cutter scores the pipe.

Step 5: Rotate the cutter around the copper pipe for several times, ideally from 3 to 4 times.

Step 6: Tighten the cutter a little bit more by turning the bottom a half a turn in the clockwise direction.

Step 7: Repeat step 5

Step 8: Continue to tighten the copper pipe cutter and then rotate the cutter on the pipe 3 to 4 times until the copper pipe is finally cut.

How To Cut Steel Pipes

There are several tools you can use to cut steel pipes including the steel pipe cutter tool, the hacksaw or the reciprocating saw.

Here are the recommended steps on cutting copper pipes:

Step 1: Use the measuring tape to measure the length that you need to cut. Then mark the spot you want to cut with the marker.

Step 2: Place the steel pipe on a stable table. Make sure that the point and the part that you want to cut are over the table. Clamp the pipe so that it can stay secure when you cut it.

Step 3:

• How to cut steel pipes with a steel pipe cutter: The step on cutting steel pipe with a steel pipe cutter is similar to the way you use the copper pipe cutter. You need to open the cutter and point the blade of the cutter on the spot of the pipe that you want to cut. Then tighten the cutter and rotate it for several times. Continue these steps until you finally cut through the steel pipes.
• How to cut steel pipes with a hacksaw: Place the blade of the hacksaw on top of the pipe. The blade should be on the marked spot as well. Swing the hacksaw back and forth. Press slightly on the hacksaw. Continue to press and swing until the hacksaw can finally cut through the steel pipe.
• How to cut steel pipes with a jigsaw: This is similar to how you cut steel pipes with a hacksaw. The main difference here is instead of starting cutting on top of the steel pipes, you need to start from the side. Apply the swing motion with a light pressure and steady speed until you can cut through these steel pipes.

How To Use Torches

There are 2 main types of torches which you can use to cut metal pipes including the plasma torches and the oxy-acetylene torches.

• The plasma torch is more suitable for cutting metal pipes with thin diameters. The reason is that the plasma torch will not wrap these pipes like the oxy-acetylene torch would do.
• The oxy-acetylene is only used when you need to cut thick steel pipe.
• Keep in mind that stainless steel pipes, aluminum pipes, and alloy pipes can’t be cut with a torch.

The steps of using the plasma torch and the oxy-acetylene torch are quite the same.

Here is the guide on cutting metal pipes with an oxy-acetylene torch:

Step 1: Choose a place with good air ventilation and free of flammable objects.

Step 2: Measure the metal pipe with the measuring tape and mark where you want to cut with a marker.

Step 3: Open the oxygen bottle and slightly open your acetylene bottle.

Step 4: Choose the 5 to 7 psi setting for your acetylene and about 40 to 50 psi for your oxygen.

Step 5: Turn both of the valves of oxygen and acetylene on.

Step 6: When there is a flame coming out, point that flame on the point of the cutting pipes. Keep the flame on to pre-heat the metal pipes.

Step 7: Then point the flame on the side of the metal pipes, press the lever and guide the torch around the marked spot. It is better if you go slowly instead of quickly. In addition, remember to use the middle of the flame to cut through these metal pipes instead of using the tip.

Step 8: When the metal pipe is finally cut, turn off the valve.

Step 9: Wait for the cut metal pipes to cool down. You can use water to cool them down.

Here are some of the most common and effective ways you can use to cut the most used metal pipes including steel pipes and copper pipes. When you pick up the right tools, you would be able to cut through metal pipes easily. Remember all of these safety precautions and you will finish your task effectively and safely.

How To Cut Vinyl Siding – 3 Methods

In case you are going to do your own vinyl siding, you should know how to cut it to make sure you have various pieces that fit perfectly where you intend to attach them.

Cutting vinyl siding is not a challenging task at all. There are several tools you can use to cut vinyl siding. Depending on how you want to cut vinyl siding into that you will make use of different tools. If you want to make long straight cut on a piece of vinyl siding, it is best to use a utility knife. On the other hand, for straight vertical cuts of shorter length, you should use a pair of tin snips. And for cutting short, vertical cuts, go for a circular saw.

If you don’t know how to cut vinyl siding using the tools which I have just mentioned above, take a look at the article below for how to do so.

Here are the tools that you need for cutting vinyl siding:

• Strips of vinyl siding
• Cutting tools – including utility knife, circular saw or a pair of tin snips
• A pencil
• A measuring tape

*** Before you start cutting the vinyl siding, make sure you put on safety goggles. Prepare a clean and stale working station. It is best to find a table which is long and stable enough for cutting the strip vinyl. Check for any potential danger or hazard around your working place before you start with the project.

How To Cut Vinyl Siding With A Utility Knife

A utility knife is the best tool you can use if you want to cut a long horizontal cut throughout a strip of vinyl siding. The method which we are going to use to cut vinyl siding is the score and snap method. This is the easiest and quickest method you can follow to cut various strips of vinyl siding for different projects.

Follow these steps on how to cut vinyl siding with a utility knife:

Step 1: First, lay a strip of vinyl siding onto a flat and clean working table. With a pencil, straightedge and measuring tape, you need to draw a straight horizontal line at which you want to cut the strip of vinyl siding into.

Step 2: Next, we are going to score the strip of vinyl siding. Use the straightedge as the guide and place it along the draw line that you want to cut the vinyl siding into

Step 3: If the piece of the vinyl siding is thick, guide the blade of the utility knife along the straightedge. We are going to score on the siding instead of cutting so that you don’t have to apply much pressure here. Use one hand to hold one side of the vinyl siding to stay secured and firmly. The other hand would hold the utility knife for scoring.

In case the piece of vinyl siding is thin; you should use the back of the blade to score on it to prevent it from breaking in the middle of the process. You can score for several times.

Step 4: Place the straightedge aside. Then grip along two long side of the strip of the vinyl siding and bend these sides toward another. The strip of vinyl siding is not cut into 2 pieces.

Tips:

• If the first time you bend the strip, it doesn’t snap. Try to bend to the other sides and keep changing side until the scored line become weaker and finally snap.
• When you measure and mark where the cutting lines are, mark them at the underside of the strip of vinyl siding so that these marks won’t show when you install them.

How To Cut Vinyl Siding With A Pair Of Tin Snips

​A pair of tin snips is suitable for cutting straight vertical cuts. And since is smaller and more compact in comparison with a circular saw it is the better choice for small jobs of dealing with smaller cuts.

Make sure you choose a pair of tin snips with yellow handles as it can help to cut vinyl siding using straight lines. There are several kinds of tin snips that you can find on the market which help you cut curves as well. While most of the vinyl siding tasks deal with cutting straight lines, you can consider having a pair of red and green snips to have you cut curves. Red snips will help you to cut curves going to the left side. On the other hand, green snips will help you to cut curves going to the right side.

Follow these steps on how to cut vinyl siding with a pair of tin snips

Step 1: First, lay a strip of vinyl siding onto a flat and clean working table. With a pencil, straightedge and measuring tape, you need to draw a straight vertical line at which you want to cut the strip of vinyl siding into.

Step 2: Hold one size of the strip of the vinyl siding with one hand. The other hand would know the pair of the tin snips.

Step 3: Use the pair of tin snips and start cutting it like when you use a pair of scissors.

Step 4: Close the tin snips until it gets to its 2/3 way. Then open the snips and cut through the way the pair of tin snips is supposed to cut at the first try.

Step 5: Keep on cutting until you can cut through the piece of vinyl siding entirely.

Tips:

• Instead of using a carpenter’s square to help you cut straighter line, you can guide the side of the strip of the vinyl siding along the edge of your working table.
• For clean cuts on the strip of the vinyl siding, while cutting, you shouldn’t close the tin snips entirely. The point of the tip snips’ blade will lead to ugly marks on the surface of the strip of the vinyl siding. Just close the snip when it reaches 2/3 of its way.

How To Cut Vinyl Siding With A Circular Saw

This tool is for cutting a strip of vinyl siding into smaller pieces with vertical short cuts.

Not all kinds of circular saws can be used to cut vinyl siding. You should choose the specific blade for the job. Go for one with fine small teeth of the same size. You can also choose any type of blade which is made for cutting plywood.

Follow these steps on how to cut vinyl siding with a circular saw:

Step 1: First, lay a strip of vinyl siding onto a flat and clean working table. With a pencil and measuring tape, mark where you want to cut. Draw a straight vertical line on it.

Step 2: Place that strip of vinyl siding so that the piece and the line you want to cut are slightly off the table.

Step 3: Hold the part of the vinyl siding which is still lying on the table firmly with one hand. The other hand holds the circular saw and moves the blade toward the draw line. Go for a steady pace until these pieces are cut through.

Step 4: Repeat all of these steps above until all of the strips are cut.

Tips:

• You can try putting the blade in backward for a smoother result.

• For cutting straighter lines, put a carpenter’s square under the vinyl siding and use it as a guide. It would help the side of the vinyl siding form a 90 angle with the edge of the working table.

Here are 3 most common methods that you can use to cut a strip of vinyl siding. First you need to think about how you want to cut vinyl siding in order to choose the most suitable tool. After knowing which tool to use and the steps of cutting vinyl siding using this tool, everything else is relatively easy. While it looks easy to cut vinyl siding, make sure that you always wear a pair of safety goggles and follow proper practices to ensure your safety during the project.

I hope with all of the guides above, you would be able to do the fun and interesting task in a short amount of time, encountering no difficulty at all.

How To Cut Steel Of Different Thicknesses

Steel is one of the most common forms of material you often have to deal with. Nevertheless, it is not easy at all to learn how to cut steel. You need to determine the thickness of a piece of steel and decide on which tools you are going to use to cut it. You have a wide range to choose from to cut steel, ranging from compound snips, an angle grinder, a hacksaw and nibbler to power saw and torches.

Different tools will require different techniques and methods. Scroll down to read more about how to cut steel in the easiest and most effectively.

First, let’s get to know more about the thickness of steal

As you may already know, steal comes in different forms and thickness. Different thicknesses of steal will determine different tools that you are going to use to cut steel. Hence, knowing about this factor of the steal you are working with is very important.

The thickness of steal is also known as gauge. Each piece of steal comes with a gauge number. The lower the number is, the thicker the steel.

Some forms of thin steel include sheet metals while thicker steels are in form of pipes, plates as well as tubes.

• To cut thick steel, you need to use power saw or torches.
• You can also use power saw and torches to cut thin steel but it will be kind of unnecessary. Unless you have to deal with a huge amount of steel, power saw and torches will be efficient.
• Alternatively, you can use a pair of compound snips or a nibbler to cut thin steel. Other choices of tools including an angle grinder or a hacksaw.
• If you want to cut a thin but rough piece of steel, go for an angle grinder which is fitted with a metal cutoff wheel.
• For cutting curves, you can use a pair of left cut snips, right cut snips and a bench shear.

Before you cut steel

There are a lot of things that you need to do before you proceed to cut steel with your choice of suitable tool.

• First, make sure you wear all of the personal safety equipment including your goggles, ear protection and your gloves. In case you work with torches, this step is even more important. You need to wear gloves and goggles with the shades ranging from #7 to #9. Avoid wearing clothes which can be inflamed quickly.
• In addition, choose a clean working station which is free of debris and far away from anything which is inflammable. Also it is ideal to work in a breathable or ventilated room.
• When you have to work with powered tools such as the grinder and the torches, you need to read the instructions on the manual books carefully. These instructions will guide you on how to use the tools, which blades you should use to cut steel and how to work with them in the safest way.
• If you use saw to cut steel, make sure that the blades are sharp. Sharp blade assists a more efficient and safer task.
• Measure the steel and draw the line on the place that you want to cut for your project.

How to cut thin steel

​1. With A Pair of Compound Snips:

​This tool is suitable to cut a piece of steel with the gauge of 24 or more. The tool is also known as aviation snips or tin snips.

It is easy to work with this tool as it functions in the same way as an ordinary pair of scissors. All you need to do is to get hold of the scissors and follow the cut line cutting in a steady pace.

​Here are some benefits of using a pair of compound snips:

• It is suitable if you want to have a small and short cuts on the piece of steel or sheet metal.
• This tool is light and compact, which you can bring around easily.
• It can be used to cut other things such as plastic.
• Most importantly, there are 3 types of snips for you to choose from. The straight snips are for cutting straight lines. The right cut snips are for cutting clockwise curve while the left cut snips are for cutting counter clockwise curve.

2. With A Nibbler:

​A pair of compound snips might be suitable if you want to cut small cuts on thin steel and sheet metal. If you want to have longer cuts, use nibbler. There are several types of nibbler that you can use on the market including the hand operated one, the drill powered one as well as the electric and pneumatic.

With these types of nibbler, all you need to do is turn the tool on (if necessary) and guide the nibbler along the line you have drawn on the piece of the steel.

Here are some benefits of using a nibbler:

• A nibbler is easy to handle. It helps to make clean and quick cuts without damaging the sheet metal and causing any noise.
• There is no spark caused by the nibbler when you cut thin steel with it.
• A nibbler can be used to cut steel with a wide range of gauge. It can cut medium thick steel of up to 14 of gauge.

​While cutting with a nibbler has so many benefits, it also leaves a very messy working station behind. Every time the nibbler makes a cut onto the steel, it takes out a small piece of steel. Remember to clean these pieces right away. These pieces are really sharp and could cause damages to you as well as other people.

​3. With A Hacksaw

​A hacksaw is also a very effective way if you want to cut shallow and small cuts on steel. It is very easy to handle this tool as well. Just throw in some sawing motions onto the line you want to cut the steel into and your job is done.

​4. With An Angler Grinder

​Another tool you can use to cut thin pieces of steel is an angle grinder. This handheld power tool comes with a wide range of attachments. However, for cutting steel, you should use the metal cutoff wheel with this tool.

Attach the suitable blade on the grinder. Turn the machine on and slowly guide it onto the steel and cut the drawn line in a steady and slow pace.

​Here are some benefits of using an angler grinder:

• This tool is quick and capable of dealing with touch pieces of steel.
• It is also very efficient, helping you to cut a huge amount of steel in a short amount of time.

​The downside of using this tool is that it doesn’t cut on steel as accurately as when you use other tools. Not to mention that it is quite noisy as well.

​5. With A Bench Shear

​You can use this tool to cut into steel like when you use an office paper cutter. Place the sheet of steel under the blade of the bench shear and line the blade so that it is on the drawn line. Then slowly pull the handle down and cut through the sheet of metal.

​Here are some benefits of using a bench shear:

• This tool works well with sheet metal of all thicknesses.
• There are 2 types of bench shear to choose from including straight shears and throatless shears. The former helps you to cut straight lines while the latter allows you to cut steel into curves.

​How to cut thick steel

​1. With A Chop Saw

​In order to cut thick steel, you would need a tool which is made for heavy duty tasks such as the chop saw.

Turn on the chop saw and move the blade toward the drawn line for it to cut. Follow a steady and smooth pace as well.

After the steel is cut, the cut pieces would be really hot. Therefore, you need to handle the freshly cut pieces with a lot of cautions.

Here are some benefits of using a chop saw:

• It is one of the circular saws which are easiest for you to use.
• This tool allows you to have accurate square cuts on steel.
• In case you are a DIY hobbyist, you will see that using a shop saw is more efficient in term of economic sense in comparison with other types of saw such as horizontal saw and cold saw. Still, it will not be as accurate as these tools.

​2. With A Horizontal Band Saw

​Band saw is used to cut pieces of steel which are thicker than the steel you cut with a chop saw. Before cutting, you need to make sure that the blade you are going to use is the metal cutting blade. There are 3 options of blade tooth patterns for you to choose from including the raker, the wave and the straight. The raker tooth pattern is for cutting thick steel while the wave pattern is for small and light duty project.

When you choose the right blade with the right tooth pattern, turn the band saw on. Then put the piece of steel toward the blade and let it cut.

In the end, if there are some rough edges on the outer sides of the cut pieces of steel, you can grind them for much smoother cuts.

Here are some benefits of using a band saw:

• You can work with a great amount of steel of different sizes with this tool.
• It provides accurate cuts and is quite easy to use.

3. With A Cold Saw

​Here are some benefits of using a cold saw:

• Among chop saw, horizontal band saw and cold saw, this type of saw allows you to have the most accurate cuts. Nevertheless, a cold saw’s capacity is less than of a band saw.

​Two main drawbacks of using a cold saw are that it is quite expensive and it is not really suitable and practical for a home setting.

4. With A Torch

​There are 2 types of torches that you can use to cut really thick pieces of steel. These torches are plasma torch and oxy-acetylene torch.

• A plasma torch for thinner pieces of steel while the oxy-acetylene torch is for thicker pieces of steel. The former is used to cut a piece of less than 1 inch in width while the latter an even cut to a piece of around 48 inches in length.
• Both of these torches use thermal power to cut through pieces of metal. They results in very clean and nice cuts in a short amount of time, with little effort that you have to put into the cutting process.
• The plasma torch will not wrap thin metal but the oxy-acetylene torch will do so.
• You can use plasma torch for many types of materials. On the other hand, oxy-acetylene torch is for cutting steel only.

​Here are the steps on cutting steel with a torch:

​Step 1: Locate the piece of steel on the working station and secure it.

Step 2: Connect the torch with the power tank using the torch’s line. Secure the vales on the torch so that it is shut tight. On the other hand, the valves on the tank should be loosening so that the torch’s line is pressurizes for the job.

Step 3: Then hold the striker of the torch with one hand and the wire handle with the other hand. If you squeeze on the handle firmly enough, it will ignite fire.

Step 4: Adjust the valves on the torch until you see a yellowish white flame.

Step 5: Then bring the flame to the piece of steel and follow the drawn line to cut the steel into the shape that you want. You need to work with the center part of the flame instead of the tip.

Step 6: After the cut is done, wait for the pieces of cut to cool down before you touch them.

In general, before cutting steal, you need to decide which tool you are going to use to cut it depending on the thickness of the steel. You can use a pair of compound snips or a nibbler as well as power saw and torches to cut thin steel. On the other hand, you can use power saw and torches for cutting thick steel. Measure the piece of steel and mark the line before cutting. And remember to clean your working station after you cut steel to prevent the small pieces of steel from hurting you and other people.

I hope that with all of the tips above, you would be able to pick up the right tools for your project and can cut steel effectively. After all, it is not so hard to deal with steel as long as you can choose the right tools and keep in mind all of the safety precautions.

How To Cut Shingles

Shingles are responsible for keeping your inclined rooftop from the impacts of the snow, hail or rain. They also bring a very interesting and pretty look for the top of your house. You can buy shingles from any supply store that are cut into smaller pieces for you to lay on the rooftop. Alternatively, you can cut shingles by yourself.

It is not hard at all to learn how to cut shingles. Read on and I will show you the steps to cut shingles and the right tools for this job.

1. To Cut Three Tab Asphalt Shingles

Three tab asphalt shingles are among the most common and popular materials for rooftop in America. They are cheap and very durable, requiring less maintenance over the years.

Three tab asphalt shingles are also very easy to handle, cut and install. In order to cut these materials, all you need to have is a utility knife and a customized working station.

The best blade that you should use with the utility knife is the fixed blade. Choose the one that you feel comfortable holding while allowing you to have a convenient angle for cutting as well. Besides that, you need to pay attention to the types of fixed blades- which are hook blade and straight blade. The straight blade is for cutting on the front face of the shingles and the hook blade is for cutting on the back of the shingles.

No matter which type of blade you have in hand, make sure it is as sharp as possible.

Here are a few reasons why you need to make a unique working station for cutting three tab asphalt shingles:

• When you cut the three tab asphalt shingles with utility knife, the knife might cause damage to the area underneath the layer shingles.
• In addition, a working station will help to secure the shingles so that you will have a more stable cut. Also keep in mind that you might need to apply several cuts for the knife to cut through shingles completely. Hence, securing the piece of shingles onto the working station will ensure you can apply cuts on the same place over and over again.

How to make a little working station for you to cut three tab asphalt shingles:

• Prepare two strips of plywood, the ones that you don’t mind to see scratches on. One strip is wider, about twice as wide, than the other.
• Place the narrow strip of wood on top of the wider one. They should be parallel so that you have a long and straight line in the middle for cutting.
• Drill various holes on one side of these strips and then form some hinges from plastic cable ties. You now have a small working station for cutting three tab asphalt shingles.

Steps by steps on how to cut three tab asphalt shingles:

Step 1: First, draw on the piece of shingles the line that you want to cut shingles into.

Step 2: Place the layer of shingles upside down if you use a straight blade. On the other hand, if you cut the shingles with the hook blade, place the piece of shingle with its face up. Then place it in between these two pieces of plywood. Make sure that the drawn line aligns with the outer edge of the upper piece of plywood.

Step 3: Hold the utility knife against the edge of the upper piece of wood and use this edge as the guide line for you to cut the shingles.

Step 4: Press on the utility knife so that the blade can cut onto the shingles. Repeat the step so that it can cut through this piece.

2. To Cut Architectural Or Laminate Shingles

Architectural shingles are thicker and hence, hard to deal with in comparison with the three tab asphalt shingles. In order to cut this type of shingles, you can use a pair of snips.

Snips are also known as aviation snips or tint snips, which are useful for cutting tin metal sheets. Since, the blade of this tool will be sharp enough to cut through shingles. In addition, it has a long pair of handles, allowing you to have a great amount of leverage for cutting tough shingles as well.

Not to mention that there are 3 types of tin snips for your consideration. The straight snips are used for cutting straight lines. Moreover, there are left tin snips and right tin snips for cutting curves in both directions.

Here are the steps on cutting shingles with tin snips:

Step 1: Lay the layer of shingles on a flat surface.

Step 2: Draw on the layer of the shingles the line you want to cut them into.

Step 3: Bring the layer under the blade of the tin snips and cut like when you use an ordinary pair of paper scissors.

3. To Cut All Types Of Shears

If you often have to work with a wide range of shingles of different thickness and hardness, go for shears. A pair of shears is also effective if you have to cut a huge amount of shingles in the shortest amount of time. You can also cut straight lines, square cuts and circles in shingles using this tool.

Using this tool is just like using other tools to cut shingles. First, you need to draw the line that you want to cut the shingles onto the surface. Then place this layer under the blade of the shears and proceed to cut in a steady pace.

These are some of the most popular and effective way you can apply to cut shingles. Overall, you can use a utility knife, tin snips and special shears to cut shingles. It doesn’t need a complicated tool in order to work with this piece of material. With practice and effort, you would be able to cut shingles quickly and efficiently.

How To Cut Plexiglass