Hey everyone! I'm in the middle of renovating my house and I've got a couple of big projects left. First up, I want to insulate my basement, which means I'll probably be cutting a lot of insulation boards. I'm wondering if I really need a table saw for that, or if there's a cheaper method?
For tiling, I think I might need a dedicated tile cutter, since table saws don't seem like they can handle it very well.
Also, for coving and skirting boards, do I need a mitre saw, or would that be too small for the insulation boards?
I've heard about shop vacs being necessary to control dust – is that really different from a regular vacuum?
Is there a way to get this all done without spending $1000 on tools?
2 Answers
Honestly, the easiest way to cut insulation boards is with a utility knife. It’s simple and effective! You’ll also want a chop saw for the coving and skirting. You can find decent ones for $100 used, so it doesn't have to break the bank.
For tiles, I’d recommend a scribing tool instead of an expensive cutter. In terms of dust control, shop vacs are definitely different from regular ones and are worth the investment to keep things clean while you work!
You can actually just score and snap the foam boards instead of using a table saw. A table saw tends to kick up a lot of dust, which isn’t great to inhale. For cutting, you could use a utility knife with a straightedge for a clean cut!
As for the tile, you might not need a fancy tile cutter. A scribing tool could work, and it’s much cheaper! For coving, a chop saw is handy, but you can find basic models for around $100 used online.
Also, don't skip the shop vac! They’re built to hold much more debris and dust compared to regular vacuums. Make sure to get a fine filter if you're dealing with dry stuff, and it should only cost you around $100. In total, you could get everything you need for about $250!
Great advice! I just hate the thought of inhaling all that dust. Using a guide with a craft knife sounds smart. And you're right, there are less messy ways to cut certain materials, at least for the smaller jobs!