How do you cut/trim a wallplate?

[MotionMan]

I need to trim a wallplate like this one. I need to trim off a little less than half of it on one side.

I tried a cutter I had, but it just broke the thing into a few million pieces.

I do not have a a huge supply of fancy tools - just the basics.

VERY detailed explanations would be appreciated.

MotionMan

 

[Jeff7]

Product Not Currently Available.

Home Depot really sucks for linking.


What kind of cutter? I'd presume one with teeth? Try an abrasive cutter, like a Dremel cutting wheel. And go slowly.

Other option - a Dremel sanding drum.


And maybe just post a quick Paintbrush drawing of how much you want to cut off.

 

[Sluggo]

You have to go back to Home Depot and buy the expensive nylon ones instead of the cheap ass plastic ones. They might call this a commercial grade plate or something.

The nylon ones are about $1 each instead of 19 cents. Go ahead and buy a hacksaw, or a new blade if you already own a hacksaw, while you are there, its the best tool for cutting a plate.

Mark the nylon plate, then use some kind of straight edge to guide the hacksaw for the first few cuts. Long strokes and very light pressure, let the saw do the work, if you try and force it and hurry up you can even break the nylon plates.

Even using this method, you might still break off the very edge one the final saw cut, so might as well pick up a tube of white Dap tub & tile sealant while you are there. Its just like a caulking sealant, but its in a squeeze tube like toothpaste.

 

[skyking]

sluggo's suggestion works. I personally use a razor knife for just about anything, but that can be tricky-to-downright dangerous. The flexible plate is a must.

 

[bctbct]

hack saw should work

 

[conehead433]

You definitely need a flexible plate. I worked as a low voltage electrician. We often needed custom plates, usually just different size holes drilled in them, but occasionally needed to trim one. Sluggo's method works, but I have gotten a trim carpenter on the same job to slice one with a chop saw and it worked fine.

 

[iamwiz82]

A dremel would take care of it, as well.

 

[MotionMan]

All good suggestions. I was afraid that those were the answers: I suck as hacksaw and dremel. LOL.

I am going to Home Depot or Lowes tonite, so I will see if some kindly employee can help me out. I need two "halfs" and one small shave (the people we bought the house from sucked at layout and planning in the addition they did).

Thanks again.

MotionMan