Large Scale Central

Cutting cement board?

Modeling
#1

Is there any decent way to cut 1/4" cement backer board? I’m using it to mount my turnouts, and simply scoring and snapping it doesn’t work very well on any shape more complex than a straight line.

I’ve heard of people using this stuff to make buildings – how on earth do they manage it?

#2

spiral cutting bit in the Dremel tool does it, with dust.

#3

Ray, You’re right about trying to use a hand carbide tipped cutter on anything but a straight line. It really can’t be done well. I use a 4 inch diamond blade on an angle grinder (VERY DUSTY! to be done outside with a dust mask on). Cement board can make a decent building too -

-Brian

#4

The best way would be with a wet saw - such as an MK-101 - usually used for cutting ceramic tile. While there is a limit to the size of the panels you could cut this way (maybe 10-12" wide but considerably longer by allowing the panel to hang off the right side of the table), the fact that the saw uses a sliding table allows you to cut panels to within a 1/32 of an inch and perfectly square. You can also use plywood angles to cut at whatever angle you need (say 45 or 60^o). These saws are expensive ($1000 or so) but you can rent them for $60-75/day. There are also hand held wet saws that can ride on a tube system - these would allow you to cut much larger panels. I’ve seen these hooked up to a low flow garden hose for cutting Durock and WonderBoard. The water markedly cuts down on the dust, but you should still wear a dust mask, hearing protection, and “above all, safety glasses.”

Brian

#5
Brian said:
The best way would be with a wet saw - such as an MK-101 - usually used for cutting ceramic tile. While there is a limit to the size of the panels you could cut this way (maybe 10-12" wide but considerably longer by allowing the panel to hang off the right side of the table), the fact that the saw uses a sliding table allows you to cut panels to within a 1/32 of an inch and perfectly square. You can also use plywood angles to cut at whatever angle you need (say 45 or 60^o). These saws are expensive ($1000 or so) but you can rent them for $60-75/day. There are also hand held wet saws that can ride on a tube system - these would allow you to cut much larger panels. I've seen these hooked up to a low flow garden hose for cutting Durock and WonderBoard. The water markedly cuts down on the dust, but you should still wear a dust mask, hearing protection, and "above all, safety glasses."

Brian


Wet saws are great for cutting pavers and flagstone but you can’t really cut curves with them easily. Its also overkill for cutting tile board. Most tile board comes in 3’x5’ sheets and tile saws are not designed to handle material that size. I have a 10 inch wet saw from HarborFreight for $200, $60 for the stand and $80 for a decent blade (not HF). I have been cutting pavers with it for 3 years now with no signs of slowing down.

-Brian

#6

More info on this Cement backer board please? What is it called at Lowe’s, the same?

#7
John Bible said:
More info on this Cement backer board please? What is it called at Lowe's, the same?
The stuff I'm using goes by the brand name, "Hardibacker". It's a cement and fiber material (apparently paper fiber), normally used as a base when laying tile on walls or counters. I got mine at Home Depot but I'm sure Lowe's has it too. There's another brand that uses layers of fiberglass or something in place of the paper fiber. It's coarser.
#8
Ray Dunakin said:
Is there any decent way to cut 1/4" cement backer board? I'm using it to mount my turnouts, and simply scoring and snapping it doesn't work very well on any shape more complex than a straight line.

I’ve heard of people using this stuff to make buildings – how on earth do they manage it?


It should be done in private, and be sure to wash your hands afterwards. :smiley:

#9

Here’s a link to a construction log I did on a concrete backer board structure.

http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34517

I’m using a different brand of backer board called “Fiberock.” It’s lighter than the HardiBacker but cuts with a regular saw (though dusty as heck!). It stands up quite nicely outdoors.

Later,

K

#10
Kevin Strong said:
Here's a link to a construction log I did on a concrete backer board structure.

http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34517

I’m using a different brand of backer board called “Fiberock.” It’s lighter than the HardiBacker but cuts with a regular saw (though dusty as heck!). It stands up quite nicely outdoors.

Later,

K


Kevin,

Thanks for the link, that looks good for what I need. Low and behold the local HD stocks 1/4" “Wonderboard” - I don’t care what they call it as long as it’s doing the job!

#11
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Kevin Strong said:
Here's a link to a construction log I did on a concrete backer board structure.

http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34517

I’m using a different brand of backer board called “Fiberock.” It’s lighter than the HardiBacker but cuts with a regular saw (though dusty as heck!). It stands up quite nicely outdoors.

Later,

K


Kevin,

Thanks for the link, that looks good for what I need. Low and behold the local HD stocks 1/4" “Wonderboard” - I don’t care what they call it as long as it’s doing the job!


The home depots around here carry durarock and wonderboard in the building supply section. Its a bit brittle for fine cutting. Usually you can find Hardibacker (1/4" and 1/2") in the tile aisles.

-Brian

#12

Brian,

Must be the GWN, that “Wonderboard” was in the tile aisle, but I’ll try some of the other places for the “Hardibacker”.