How to Cut a Rubber Sheet

Scissors may break while cutting rubber sheets.

Rubber sheets, which are used as padding for floors, seats, and tools or equipment, can be cut using regular paper cutting scissors, but the process would be difficult. Regular scissors are too weak to cut through rubber sheets easily and attempting to do so may result in crooked lines and injury from overexertion. However, rotary cutters can slice through rubber sheets and other tough materials with ease. They also make it easier to cut straight, clean lines.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber sheets
• Ruler
• Rotary cutter
• Cutting board
• Carpenter's square (optional)

Instructions

1. Place your cutting board on a flat surface. This cutting board will prevent the surface from being scratched or damaged by the rotary cutter as it slices through the rubber sheets.

2. Spread the rubber sheet over the cutting board. Smooth out any wrinkles or folds so that the rubber sheet is lying flat.

3. Place a hard ruler along the area of the rubber sheet that you would like to cut. Line up the ruler as you desire.

4. 

   rotary cutter

   Press on the ruler with one hand and with the other hand, move the rotary cutter blade up against the side of the ruler. Press down and push the rotary cutter forward, using the ruler as a guide. The rotary cutter should slice through the rubber sheet like a pizza cutter.

5. Put the cutter down, move the ruler to another position and cut again if you desire. Continue to do so until you have cut all of the rubber sheets that you need. The sheets can be in any shape or design that you like. If you would like to cut the rubber sheets in squares, consider using two rulers at a perpendicular angle to get a perfect 90 degree angle. You can also replace the rulers with a carpenter square to cut 90 degree angles as well.

Tips & Warnings

• When cutting rubber sheets, consider cutting using a chalk line as a guide. This requires running the chalk along the ruler or creating your own design freehand.

• If the rubber is very thick, do not expect that the cutter will slice through the rubber on the first try. You may need to slide the cutter backward and forward a few times to make sure that the rubber is sliced all the way through.

• You do not need to press hard to cut through the rubber. If you feel that you do need to apply pressure, then your blade may be too dull. Replace the blade or sharpen it before continuing.

• Rotary cutters are very sharp. Do not leave them in the reach of children. Do not cut towards yourself, but always move the blade away from you to avoid cutting yourself.

References

• The Free Library: Cutting Uncure Rubber Sheet and Slabs Cleanly And Accurately Around The Clock
• Connecting Threads: How To Use A Rotary Cutter
• Rubber-Cal: Cutting Sheet Or Rolled Rubber Products