How to Cut Drywall With a Table Saw

Cutting edges with a table saw ensures smooth joints on corners.

Drywall, or gypsum board, is the surface material used in the construction of walls. The drywall is mounted directly onto studs in most situations. The seams are covered with a mixture of drywall tape and mud. Proper installation leaves no visible seams. The typical method of cutting a piece of drywall to a specific size is to mark the drywall and use a razor blade to cut the drywall. You can also use various types of saws, including a table saw, to cut the drywall.

Things You'll Need

• Table saw
• Fine-cutting saw blade
• Chalk line
• Pencil
• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Measure the area to be covered with drywall with a measuring tape. Transfer the measurements to a piece of drywall and mark the measurements with a pencil.

2. Stretch a chalk line from the top measurement on one side to the bottom measurement on the other. Pull the line taught, and lift it. Release the line quickly to snap a blue chalk line along the drywall. The chalk line is the point you will be cutting.

3. Adjust the table saw to accommodate the sheet of drywall. Follow the manufacturers instructions for your model of table saw. Replace the saw blade with one designed for fine cutting. The teeth on a fine-cut blade will be very shallow and thin.

4. Set the drywall on the table saw with the blue chalk line aligned with the blade. Turn the saw on and feed the sheet through the saw.

Tips & Warnings

• You can accomplish the same precision cuts using a straight-edge tool clamped to the surface of the drywall and a razor blade. Trace the razor blade along the edge of the straight-edge tool, and snap the drywall at that point. Snapping the drywall creates a seam on the back which you cut using the razor blade.