What's the best way to cut 1/4-1/2" thick rubber mats?

[DCH109]

Also i have used Large metal shears, no issues when cutting up my mat. As for drilling a hole, on a small piece, try a drill bit. Depending on how hard the rubber is this may work out fine.
Mine were the type used as isolators for machinery had the fiber threads thought. Tough rubber, and the drill bit worked great..

[LaOutbackTrail]

A coworker of mine who is a former truck driver & has had to do this before suggested...
1) Use a fresh AKA sharp utility knife (because they're cheap, tough, and disposable once they dull)
2) Bend the cutting area over an edge so as the blade cuts through the rubber, the edges pull apart rather than fold back in creating more drag on the blade.

Will try it in the next few days.

I just had to cut some heavy duty rubber floormats at work... that method works. Use a straight edge and a heat gun if you have it. That'll make the process easier.

[Plannerman]

A coworker of mine who is a former truck driver & has had to do this before suggested...
1) Use a fresh AKA sharp utility knife (because they're cheap, tough, and disposable once they dull)
2) Bend the cutting area over an edge so as the blade cuts through the rubber, the edges pull apart rather than fold back in creating more drag on the blade.

Will try it in the next few days.

X2. This what worked best for me


Sent via fat thumb

[CYi5]

I cut a piece of conveyor belt up with a sawzall + metal blade for my swing out latch pad. Cuts like butter as usual .

[off-roader]

A coworker of mine who is a former truck driver & has had to do this before suggested...
1) Use a fresh AKA sharp utility knife (because they're cheap, tough, and disposable once they dull)
2) Bend the cutting area over an edge so as the blade cuts through the rubber, the edges pull apart rather than fold back in creating more drag on the blade.

Will try it in the next few days.

Thanks for everyone's help. My coworker's suggestion worked perfectly. Couldn't find my utility knife so I ended up using one of the flimsier utility knives that has those blades that have break away sections every 3/16". Still I had no issues whatsoever.

Cutting some 1/2" solid bar square stock afterwards was an issue since i couldnt find the wrench needed for removing the used up cutoff wheel from my angle grinder. The old wheel didnt have enough left to cut the bar stock.

Oh well, guess the project will have to wait...

[onebowtiedguy]

SHARP utility blade and a metal straight edge is the best way I've found.

Old thread but had to add..... as we cut and punch holes in heavy duty conveyor belting all the time at work. Sharp utility knife and an absolute must is WATER does the trick for a lubricant cuts so smooth and fast. We have a special hollow sharpened round punch in several sizes that takes the old donut piece inside it with a slot in the side that it falls out of afterward when punched through the rubber. again WATER does the best for lubricant.
no water = tough job
water = easy job

[bfdiesel]

Spit on it in a pinch

[4xdog]

Sharp, sharp blade the best for cutting rubber. Good scissors or shears might surprise you with how well they work. I use ex-laboratory cork borers to cut holes in rubber sheet. These razor sharp tubes cut perfectly. Try a leather punch to make the holes -- you'll get a lot better result cutting than drilling.

Don

[Bayou Boy]

For holes, empty cartridges work well. 3/8 is .375" .38 special empties should work perfectly. Position, tap with a hammer, done.

[off-roader]

Good idea on using casings! I've definitely got a few laying around.