Anyone got any info on cutting 1/2 inch thick rubber mat?

I got a 1/2 inch thick mat about 5 ft x 5 ft that needs cutting to fit in my box. It says it was made in Canada. Probably means it is old and quality made, since most products now sold in Canada are cheap crap made in China, but I digress. Now that I have finished my rant, what I was going to do is use a circular saw for the long straight cuts and a jig saw for the corners. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Mark

 

scissors?

 

Box knife would be my best guess. Just have plenty of blades handy.

 

Grinder with cutoff wheel.
Router maybe

 

1/2 is thick for a box knife though. Maybe get an old knife you're not afraid to ruin and heat it with a torch or something? Use a board or something for a straight edge for the long cuts.

 

box cutter FTW. thats what i used when i put d-rings in the front of the bed.

 

Razor knife

 

Heat is obviously going to be the main problem with a power tool. How well equipped is your workshop? I'd use a bandsaw on a moderate speed setting since the longer blade would help control heat. In fact, I've done it before (with a thick mat to reduce noise from power tools), with pretty good results. However, that much material may be difficult to handle.

A bandsaw and jig saw might work almost as well if you take breaks when the blades get warm. As you've probably guessed, a box cutter or similar will take too much time and effort, while a grinder will easily generate enough heat to melt the rubber.

 

Bandsaw with silicone spray for lube.

 

Utility knife used with a straight edge of some sort (long level, big square, etc...)

 

Don't use anything with heat or spinning blades. You will just end up with a mess.

Just a razor blade. Do your first cut then slightly bend the rubber over the edge of something to open up the cut then cut again. If its a good sharp blade it might only take 2-3 cuts. You might even use two blades. I have never heard off the wd40 but I can see that helping on the 2nd, 3rd cuts.

 

x2 on a box cutter, and change the blades every 6 inches or so. Use plenty of WD-40

 

Is this a hard rubber or pretty flimsy?

 

Air nibbler? Sawzall with a wood blade sharpened to a knife blade. Should cut right through it.

 

sawzall

 

saudering iron.....i win

 

HD box cutter and something as a straight edge.

 

Be very careful using a power tool for this job. If the rubber catches the blade and decides to pull the mat it could be dangerous!! Think band saw here. If it pulls on the mat and you have a death grip on it it will pull your hands into the blade. I cut meat for a living and use a band saw.

 

I had a old dodge bed mat that I found and used it for my Tacoma I used a metal blade in my sawzall and worked great I used my jig saw with metal blade for the rounds. Worked great. Use a long level and clamp it for nice straight lines.

 

^^ This

I just cut a hoarse stall mat from Tractor Supply to fit an area. Mark your lines you want to cut on the mat. I used a wax marker/crayon. Do not try and cut through the whole mat in one swipe. Use the blade and score down 1/4 to half way down the mat. Then bend the mat so you see your score line start to open up. Then just repeat cutting that line. Changes blades often and you will be amazed how fast it really goes.

good luck