Cutting Stall Mats

Andrew Gray · 10-12-2005, 04:59 PM

I bought a horse stall mat this past weekend and I was wondering if there is some special way you are supposed to cut them? Can I just take a saw/knife to it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Steven Stackpole · 10-12-2005, 06:10 PM

Andrew
Use a "T" square with an exacto knife. Cut as deep as you can, making several cuts if you have to.

Lincoln Brigham · 10-12-2005, 07:59 PM

DO NOT USE A SAW! You will never get through and you'll burn up the blade and motor.

I just finished cutting up 9 stall mats today, so let me tell 'ya about it. I used a professional style carpet knife, loaned to me by a contractor friend. The disposable blades have 4 edges and I used 4 blades - they are exquisitely sharp but they dull easily. First couple of pass were against the edge of a metal straight edge. This gets the cut started nice and straight. The next passes I put a narrow board under the cut in order to give the rubber some bend. This makes the cutting MUCH faster and easier.

You can also use a standard utility knife. As with carpet knives, make sure the blades are sharp. DO NOT CUT YOURSELF! These blades are sharp and dangerous. It's really easy to slip and completely lop off a finger.

Ryan Atkins · 10-12-2005, 08:15 PM

I used an almost identical process to that of Lincoln's - metal straight edge for a nice clean cut, and then placed a basketball under the mat to lift and seperate the edges made from the initial cut. Made the next few cuts VERY easy because the weight of the mat sloping off of the ball works to tear itself apart.

Andrew Gray · 10-12-2005, 10:38 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. What would be the cheapest cutting tool I could buy that would get the job done right?

Stephen Reeks · 10-13-2005, 01:34 AM

Are horse stall mats an Amercian thing because i can't seem to find any in Australia

Lincoln Brigham · 10-13-2005, 07:20 AM

Andrew - utility knife. Probably less than $5.
Stephen - try your local feed & grain store.

(Message edited by Lincoln on October 13, 2005)

Andrew Gray · 10-13-2005, 11:15 PM

Thanks Lincoln, I will pick one up this weekend.

Michael Street · 10-15-2005, 06:41 PM

Utility knife + wd-40 cut mats like butter.

Mark the line, spray the w-d and then cut.

Nick Massman · 10-17-2005, 09:38 PM

A dewalt 18 volt cordless sawzall works great too! and is way faster then a utility knife.It won't melt the mat or damage the motor. just sandwich the mat between 2 pieces of wood as a guide one top and one bottom and you're golden

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10-12-2005, 04:59 PM	#1
Andrew Gray Member Profile: Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 252	I bought a horse stall mat this past weekend and I was wondering if there is some special way you are supposed to cut them? Can I just take a saw/knife to it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

10-12-2005, 06:10 PM	#2
Steven Stackpole Member Profile: Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ottawa ontario Posts: 276	Andrew Use a "T" square with an exacto knife. Cut as deep as you can, making several cuts if you have to.

10-12-2005, 07:59 PM	#3
Lincoln Brigham Member Profile: Join Date: May 2003 Location: Kirkland WA Posts: 3,987	DO NOT USE A SAW! You will never get through and you'll burn up the blade and motor. I just finished cutting up 9 stall mats today, so let me tell 'ya about it. I used a professional style carpet knife, loaned to me by a contractor friend. The disposable blades have 4 edges and I used 4 blades - they are exquisitely sharp but they dull easily. First couple of pass were against the edge of a metal straight edge. This gets the cut started nice and straight. The next passes I put a narrow board under the cut in order to give the rubber some bend. This makes the cutting MUCH faster and easier. You can also use a standard utility knife. As with carpet knives, make sure the blades are sharp. DO NOT CUT YOURSELF! These blades are sharp and dangerous. It's really easy to slip and completely lop off a finger.

10-12-2005, 08:15 PM	#4
Ryan Atkins Member Profile: Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Racine WI Posts: 925	I used an almost identical process to that of Lincoln's - metal straight edge for a nice clean cut, and then placed a basketball under the mat to lift and seperate the edges made from the initial cut. Made the next few cuts VERY easy because the weight of the mat sloping off of the ball works to tear itself apart.

10-12-2005, 10:38 PM	#5
Andrew Gray Member Profile: Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 252	Thanks for the advice guys. What would be the cheapest cutting tool I could buy that would get the job done right?

10-13-2005, 01:34 AM	#6
Stephen Reeks Member Profile: Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canberra ACT Posts: 170	Are horse stall mats an Amercian thing because i can't seem to find any in Australia

10-13-2005, 07:20 AM	#7
Lincoln Brigham Member Profile: Join Date: May 2003 Location: Kirkland WA Posts: 3,987	Andrew - utility knife. Probably less than $5. Stephen - try your local feed & grain store. (Message edited by Lincoln on October 13, 2005)

10-13-2005, 11:15 PM	#8
Andrew Gray Member Profile: Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 252	Thanks Lincoln, I will pick one up this weekend.

10-15-2005, 06:41 PM	#9
Michael Street Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 54	Utility knife + wd-40 cut mats like butter. Mark the line, spray the w-d and then cut.

10-17-2005, 09:38 PM	#10
Nick Massman Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: san luis obispo ca Posts: 35	A dewalt 18 volt cordless sawzall works great too! and is way faster then a utility knife.It won't melt the mat or damage the motor. just sandwich the mat between 2 pieces of wood as a guide one top and one bottom and you're golden