How to use an insulation saw?

29th February 2020


	How to use an insulation saw


	Shop for Insulation Saws


			Rather than having teeth like most saws, the insulation saw has a wavy blade, sharpened at alternating angles, which serves to slice cleanly through insulation rather than tearing it. This means that the saw works in much the same way as a carving knife.

			Before you begin
			Secure your material If you’re working with insulation that’s not rigid, you may find it helpful to place it between two boards when working. This compresses the insulation, and helps to prevent it bending away from the blade when sawing. You can use a permanent pen to mark the line along which you want to saw.

			Important: Handling and cutting insulation can cause tiny (and often invisible) fibres to come loose, and irritate skin and eyes if they come into contact with them. It is advisable that any cutting of insulation should be done outside or in a well-ventilated area.

			Starting your cut
			Step 1 – Rest blade against material Begin by resting the nose of the blade on the material, at roughly a 45 degree angle to the work surface.

			Step 2 – Push blade away from you Push the blade away from you, across the edge of the material, applying very little pressure in one long, slow stroke. The saw should begin to slice through the insulation almost immediately

			Build speed as you build confidence Insulation is a relatively soft material so you should not need to exert very much pressure; let the saw do the work for you.

			If you’re not an experienced hand saw user, getting a feel for the amount of force needed can take a bit of practise, but don’t be put off. Test out your sawing technique on some scrap material to get an idea of how much pressure to apply and the speed at which you feel comfortable. If you mess up, don’t throw a tantrum – Try, try and try again!

			You will find that after the initial cut is made, the saw will begin to guide itself, and the process will become easier. You can now begin to increase your speed until you have a steady sawing rhythm.

			Keeping to a rhythm, and making long, smooth strokes rather than random jerky movements is much less strenuous, and will produce a neater cut. Try and use at least three quarters of the blade when working.