Cutting Pink Insulation

[MinnGuy]

How do you guys cut the pink insulation? I know you want it tight. Do you just measure and cut with a utility knife? I'm installing 1.5 inch insulation and trying to get it to fit between studs that are not perfectly straight.

[Random guy]

A insulation knife. It has a long square blade, cuts right through it. Hardware store should have one if not lumber yards have them.

[MinnGuy]

Thanks Jonny. I didn't know there was such a tool. I'll look into it.

[McGurk]

I made a long straight edge for cutting those sheets with a utility knife. It is made with a piece of STRAIGHT 1x4 and some scrap ceiling tile edge (the stuff that looks like an "L") screwed to the narrow side, with the corner of the metal flush with the flat side. I also put a couple of screws in the 1x4 just far enough that the tips poke through and "grab" the insulation. Mark your cut on each edge, lay it on so the metal edge is flat on the insulation, and make a couple of cuts across getting deeper each time. Keep sharp blades on hand and don't be shy putting new ones in if it doesn't cut smooth. Flip, and repeat. Pop them and place them. Done.

[Pooh]

foam or fiberglass? I remember the foam being scored every 14 1/2"? I did construction for awhile and the stuff we had was scored anyway. A table saw works good too but has a really good chance of kicking back = finger loss. Otherwise I always used a snap blade knife. Whatever you use make sure its sharp, sharper the better.

[DRH1175]

I like the snap blade knife the best. You can also use a fillet knife and table saw. The table saw is quite messy.

[BoxMN]

I have put a 16d nail in vice grips, heated it to red hot (with mapp torch) and then just melt the foam with the nail. It goes fast and you can get accurate as it will follow the stud if you place the foam up against the stud, or if you need some "tailered" angles, etc.

Just do it in ventilated area of course! Absolutely no mess at all. You do have to reheat the nail depending upon how much you need to cut. I have Rapala knives and they work well too.

[Random guy]

I guess they do make pink styro also. I figured pink I thought fiberglass. Foam just a utily knife and a straight edge and you are good to go. Helps to have a buddy when it comes to snappin it.

[Nordern]

If you are ripping long sheets I have used a table saw with a plywood blade. This gave a very nice edge and a straight cut. Needless to say it cuts very easy and the mess was not as bad as I would have thought. Of course we did it in my brother's garage but instead of little beads everywhere it was more like sawdust. We just swept it up.

[MinnGuy]

Sorry I wasn't clear, pink foam insulation. Since I built the house, not all studs are 16 OC. Thanks for the ideas!

[pheasantpro10]

Snap a line with a chalk line and rip it down with a skill saw, this is what I found to work the best. You need to go at a steady pase though because the blade get's warm then it won't cut as straight but it's quick and easy good luck!!

[MinnGuy]

So I found out a utility knife works pretty good for the rough cut and for final 'customization' I use an electric fillet knife. Thanks for the suggestions.

[chad austin]

A small battery charger 2-10 amp and a metal clothes hanger or straight piece of heavy wire. Hook a lead from the battery charger to each end of the wire and the current will heat up the wire. That is the same principal as the commercial units use.