Drywall blades: a selection of tools

Drywall is a popular building material material, it is practical and comfortable to work. It is possible to create designs of even the most complex shape from sheets of gypsum boards. To do this, do not need complex special devices, just enough a special knife. Knives for drywall are a convenient device for construction work. They are of several types, while all are aimed at facilitating work with GCR, saving time spent and the creation of smooth parts and lines.

Cutting drywall in fact is a simple and fairly easy process, but to create a smooth, beautiful edge, you should take a tool designed specifically for gypsum boards.

In total there are 2 main types of tools:

• manual;
• working from the mains.

Appliances for manual labor are divided into several varieties.

• Drywall knife - The easiest tool. It cuts smoothly, quickly, safe in work. The blade of such a knife is easily extended and securely fixed. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes dull and can break, although it is easy to change if necessary.
• HacksawSpecialized drywall is applicable when you need to cut holes and complex corners. This product is made of high quality hardened steel. This blade is thin, narrow, differs by small sharp teeth, which allows to saw through the holes and grooves in the GCR sheet.
• Disc cutter used for cutting sheets of plasterboard into equal even parts, when it is necessary to cut a large number of parts.

But at the same time a thin blade quickly loses its properties. It breaks off, becomes dull, so you should carefully monitor its condition and, if necessary, replace it. If desired, you can use any sharply sharpened straight knife, but professionals prefer specialized tools.

This may be a specialized knife, a common and popular tool when working with GCR. If you need to make a small incision, you can use a regular office knife. But it is possible that the resulting edge will be rough or torn, which may further require additional processing of drywall.

In cases when carry out thorough works with gypsum plasterboard, preference is given to the following types:

• special knife;
• universal knife;
• knife with a blade;
• Blade runner.

The appearance of this knife is similar to the clerical equivalent. The design assumes the presence of a handle, which can be disassembled into parts, as well as a double-sided blade, a fixation mechanism (most often a spring is used) and a bolt connecting all the elements into one design. Used blades are usually thin and durable, they can be changed in whole or in sections. The minimum width is 18 mm, thickness varies in the range of 0.4-0.7 mm. For convenience, the coating of the handle is rubberized (so that hands do not slide). But there are just plastic options.

Universal knife or assembly due to its design allows you to work with gypsum panels at any stages. Its handle is ergonomic, it lies easily and comfortably in the hand, the rubberized plastic of the case makes the use of the knife comfortable. Manufacturers presented two options for fixing the blade: screw and spring use. Blade blade is made of high quality steel and has no sectional cuts. This increases the reliability and durability of the knife.

The assembly kit may include additional elements:

• spare blades;
• a latch for attaching to a trouser belt or pants belt;
• built-in compartment with spare parts.

All these factors make the use of a universal knife convenient, comfortable and suitable for daily work.

Knife with a disk blade is often used by specialists when it is necessary to quickly and correctly cut the parts from the gypsum board. It allows you to perform work on cutting different lines (straight lines, curves, geometric shapes of varying complexity). Due to the fact that when using the disk is constantly in motion, the efforts made can be minimized.Such knife maintains big loadings and guarantees the long term of operation.

A distinctive feature of this knife is the fact that the design is supplemented by a built-in measuring tape. This knife is a multifunctional device, it consists of a comfortable handle, covered with rubberized composition, as well as a cutter blade and a centimeter tape measure. The blades can be changed, the roulette parameters are measured in two values ​​- centimeters and inches. It smoothly slides over the base of the GCR sheet, always keeps a straight line parallel to the cutting. The required length of the tape measure is fixed when you press a special button. In the case there is a notch adapted to the writing instrument.

Blade runner a few years ago appeared in the ranks of building materials, it is still little known, but in the circle of experts it is preferred. Translated from English, it means "running blade." Looking at the design, you can confirm this. This professional knife consists of two main parts, which during operation are located on both sides of the sheet and are securely fixed by strong magnets.Each unit has its own blade, which is quite simple to replace, just open the case and remove the old one.

With the Blade runner, it is convenient to cut vertical sheets, cut elements of any complexity. To turn the blade, just press the button and turn the knife in the desired direction. It is not traumatic - the blades are hidden inside the case. Blade runner copes with thick sheets, saves time and ensures durability.

Knives on the plasterboard allow you to quickly and easily cut the necessary detail along the intended line.

Consider step by step instructions.

• At the first stage, the parameters of the intended fragment are measured with the help of a measuring tape.
• Then it is necessary to transfer the dimensions to the surface of the material and mark the lines on the base using a pencil or any other writing instrument.
• We attach an iron ruler to the target line (building level or metal profile).
• We hold firmly on the basis of drywall and gently hold along it with a construction knife, without interrupting or tearing our hands.

• Making a cut line, carefully remove the knife from the material.
• We lay the drywall on the table or any other surface so that one side is on the weight.
• Now lightly press on the free part with the hand and press the slab of the plasterboard precisely on the cut.
• Turn the sheet over and cut the seamy layer.

If you need to cut a corner curved shape, you need to use a hacksaw and a drill. Having outlined the contours of the future element, use a construction drill to drill a small hole in any convenient place, then insert the hacksaw and begin to saw through the contour of the part, taking care not to go beyond the outline of the marking. Working with drywall does not require special skills, it is available to beginners. The knife for working with plasterboard can be used when work is underway to prepare sheets for finishing joining joints with a putty. It is used at the cutting stage (processing the edges of the material to a perfectly flat surface). In the places of adhesion of sheets HL make chamfering at an angle of 45 degrees.

Choose a knife is based on the type and volume of the proposed work.

It is worth paying attention to several factors.

• Blade thickness: the thinner it is, the smoother the line, the more ideal the edge trim.
• Handle body: rubberized or not.
• The quality of the material: the blades are durable and tough (steel is better), the plastic of the body should not break when squeezed;
• Availability of spare blades.

If you need a knife for one-time work, it is better to choose a simple and inexpensive option: a universal or special mounting knife. Such products are durable, sharp and unpretentious. When there is a task for a large amount of work, cutting complex structures, it is better to take a Blade runner or a knife with a disk blade. They do not require much effort and cut perfectly smooth elements with a smooth edge.

For a video review of the knife with a tape measure for cutting drywall, see the video below.