Whether you are looking to update the tile in your kitchen, are in the middle of a complete bathroom remodel, or are sprucing up the walls of your outdoor area, cement board may be the backing of choice. When it comes to cutting cement board though, what can be used?
The various tools that can be used to cut cement board include a circular saw, dremel, grinder, handsaw, jigsaw, knife, oscillating tool, and skill saw. Always be sure to have any of these tools equipped with the proper blade to handle this material to avoid damage to either.
Cement board may be a product that those new to the handyman world have not heard of quite yet, but if you find yourself in the position of needing a backing for an area that is especially prone to encountering moisture, you become quickly familiar. Cement board is a great product for a variety of different reasons, but no matter what the reason for its use, cuts will have to be made to adjust the material to the project. To see what can be used to cut cement board, read on.
What Can You Use to Cut Cement Board?
When thinking of cement alone, many don’t find the material to be too pliable when it comes to its use, but when cement is combined with reinforcing fibers, it becomes a completely different product which results in cement board. Cement board is primarily used as a backing material for spaces that are prone to encountering moisture, but when it comes to cutting this material, you might be wondering what can get the job done well.
The various tools that can be used to cut cement board include a circular saw, dremel, grinder, handsaw, jigsaw, knife, oscillating tool, and skill saw. Always be sure to have any of these tools equipped with the proper blade to handle this material to avoid damage to either.
It is also essential to note the importance of the blade you are using when you select the tool to cut cement board. Without the proper blade, tear out can result, damage to the blade can be incurred, or there could be operational issues that could jeopardize your safety. Depending on the tool you choose to use, most blades with either be a carbide or diamond blade to get through the material as precisely and safely as possible.
Can You Cut Cement Board With Circular Saw?
The circular saw is one tool that can be found in just about any workshop or home shop alike, as the versatility and ease of use with this saw goes nearly unmatched. You know that a circular saw can be used to cut through wood, steel, and tile when equipped with the proper blades, which may have you wondering if this tool can get through cement board. To see if a circular saw can cut through cement board, read on below.
Yes, cement board can be cut with a circular saw, but the saw needs to be equipped with the right blade. Be sure to have the saw fitted with a carbide-tipped wood cutting blade while also ensuring that there are as few teeth as possible on the blade.
Can You Cut Cement Board With Dremel?
The dremel is another tool that many find themselves having on hand and investing in after a bit of experience, as this tool offers quite a bit of versatility without breaking the budget and can be operated with only one hand. The dremel is primarily used for carving, cutting, sanding, and grinding, but when fitted with the right blade, it is capable of even more. If you are looking to cut cement board and have a dremel on hand, can this be done?
Yes, a dremel can be used to cut cement board. When using a dremel for this purpose, have the tool fitted with a US520 masonry cutting wheel, as this attachment is designed to cut through various masonry materials which include cement board.
Can You Cut Cement Board With Grinder?
Looking at another handheld tool, the angle grinder is one that uses an abrasive wheel to grind and cut through different materials. This tool is used primarily for more shallow cuts or surface level projects, but if you have only this tool available, you might be wondering about its other capabilities. To see if you can use a grinder to cut cement board, continue reading below to find out.
Yes, you can use a grinder to cut through cement board, but just as with many other tools, you need to have it fitted with the right wheel. When using a grinder to cut cement board, be sure to fit the tool with a diamond wheel, as this will give the smoothest cut without straining the grinder.
Can You Cut Cement Board With Handsaw?
If you have an old shed, there is a very high chance that a handsaw will be within it, as this is one of those tools that has been around for ages, but always proves true when you are in need. The handsaw is operated by man-power, which is great for those projects where you need a bit more control over the speed at which you process a material. If you are wanting to avoid power tools or don’t have any on hand, can a handsaw cut through cement board?
Yes, you can cut cement board with a handsaw, but this tool should only be used for small pieces of the board and to make small cuts as well. Ensure that the blade on the handsaw is sharp and you have the material secured before you begin sawing to avoid movement.
Can You Cut Cement Board With Jigsaw?
A jigsaw is a tool that many professionals and hobbyists alike find as their right hand man when it comes to favorite tools. The jigsaw is so popular because it can be used to make a wide array of simple or complicated cuts and is portable, making the tool even more versatile. When working with a material like cement board though, can a jigsaw get through the material without complication?
Yes, you can use a jigsaw to cut cement board, but be sure to have the tool fitted with the proper blade to make such a cut. When using a jigsaw to cut cement board, a carbide-grit or metal-cutting blade should be used.
Can You Cut Cement Board With Knife?
A knife is one of those universal tools that can be used in just about any situation if the proper tools aren’t on hand and you need a fix fast. A knife is one tool that many have right on hand or within their own pockets for quick and easy access, but when it comes to items that are made from solid material like cement board, can such a tool get the job done? To see if a knife can cut cement board, read on below to find the answer.
Yes, you can cut cement board with a knife, but this tool is only appropriate for cutting small pieces of the material due to the amount of time that such a cut will take with this tool and how rigid the cut will likely be once complete. A carbide tipped knife will offer the best results.
When cutting cement board with a knife, as previously noted, a carbide tipped knife is the best option, but it is also wise to use something like a utility knife. A utility knife has such a design that you will not have to saw to get through the cement board, but only have to make multiple scores to ensure either a clean cut or a deep enough cut that you can break the material at the score point.
Can You Cut Cement Board With Oscillating Tool?
An oscillating tool is another handheld device that is a great option for those looking for a tool that can do much more than one thing. Due to the design of this tool, the oscillating tool is able to accept a number of different blades as they can be interchanged to polish, sand, grind, scrape, and cut various materials with the change of a blade. Knowing this, if you have an oscillating tool on hand and are looking to cut cement board, can it be done?
Yes, you can use an oscillating tool to cut cement board. Due to this being a multi-tool, you can easily cut such a material with this tool, but it needs to be fitted with the right blade. For an oscillating tool, be sure to have it fitted with either a diamond oscillating blade or a carbide blade.
Can You Cut Cement Board With Skill Saw?
The skill saw is a circular saw, but the difference between this saw and the circular saw itself is that the motor is fixed behind the blade which helps to make the saw more compact and thus, a bit more versatile and more transportable than a regular circular saw. Running on electricity rather than gas as well, this saw makes getting cuts in tight places much easier, which may leave you wondering if such a tool can cut through cement board as well.
Yes, you can cut through cement board with a skill saw, but just as with a circular saw, this saw needs to be equipped with the proper blade to tackle such a task. When using a skill saw to cut cement board, be sure to have the saw fitted with a carbide-tipped wood-cutting blade.
How to Cut Cement Board Properly
Cutting cement board can be rather daunting, as this material seems easily breakable when put at the mercy of the wrong tool, which would be a correct assumption. When working with cement board, although it is likely a material that is going behind another, you want to be able to create smooth enough edges so that it can fit in the allocated space without being too jagged upon insert. When it comes to cutting cement board properly, what is the best way?
The proper way to cut cement board depends on the thickness of the board. If you are working with a thin piece of this material, scoring the surface with a utility knife and snapping the board is the most efficient method. For thicker pieces, a circular saw is most ideal.
The important thing to remember when dealing with cement board is not necessarily the tool you are using to cut it, but the blade that the tool is equipped with. If you are using the wrong blade to cut this material, it can mean damage to the cement board, the blade being used, the tool itself, or even injury to you if things go too awry. By fitting your tool with the right blade, you ensure a better cut and a safer method for cutting cement board.
The various tools that can be used to cut cement board include a circular saw, dremel, grinder, handsaw, jigsaw, knife, oscillating tool, and skill saw. Always be sure to have any of these tools equipped with the proper blade to handle this material to avoid damage to either.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on March 24, 2022.