Cutting Through Plaster

[TSJHD1]

What is the best tool/method these days to cut through plaster, as in making a neat cut to say, create a new opening where one doesn't exist? The recip saw used to be the go-to tool, but once I got my hands on a multi-master, the days of having to fix cracked plaster from the saw's vibration were a thing of the past.

But is the multi-master the best choice, as far as the tool? And if so, what blade? Or perhaps a diamond blade in a cut-off saw? (Probably not, because of the dust...?

I have plaster with and without wire.

TIA

Tom

[tjbnwi]

I've used my RotoZip with the tile wheel on it. It has the 90º head and looks like a small saw. Had someone else follow the blade with a vacuum hose.

I see RotoZip now has what they call a Zip Saw with dust collection

http://www.rotozip.com/en-us/Cutting...spx?catid=5124

Dust mask and eye protection is a must.

Tom

[Top Notch]

The diamond blade has to be the fastest and neatest. They make dust catching adapters from dustless technologys. Plus negative air. I havent tried it yet but maybe someone can chime and tell us if it works.

The multi would be normal choice. The regular roto is pretty dusty
too.

[Mike864]

If I'm not cutting through wood lath, I like to use a carbide grit sawzall blade. They buzz right through plaster & rock lath. If it's wood lath, I use the diamond grit blade in my Fein, and then finish off the lath with a regular blade. Of course. A grinder and vac would be nice, but if you're cutting through plaster & lath, you're almost certainly up against the RRP law, and I don't think anyone wants to kick that much dust around, even with a vac.

[Happy Home]

Al has some blades for plaster. He swears by his stuff.

http://www.multiblades.com/index.html

A tip shared here a few years ago about using a MM with DW / plaster - the dust will destroy the switch. Tape plastic over the switch - then use it.

Another tip I saw here was to use shaving cream - put it on the surface before cutting it keeps the dust down. I may get a chance to see how it works in a few days.

[LIHR50]

Cutting through plaster is no big deal. The fastest and cleanest method with little to no chip out is with your reciprocal saw and med to fine bi-metal blade.
Hold firmly, keep it at high speed and allow the blade to cut through with moderate pressure. Don't force with a heavy hand otherwise it will begin to vibrate. You will need multiple blades depending on how much you're cutting, but that's the price of business.

Have another guy with a spray bottle to keep the dust down, or hold a vac to the cutting area.

The MM is a nice tool but it's a toy for this type of work.

[frenchie]

4" grinder with a segmented diamond blade, with a dust hood attachment connected to the shopvac.

Those dust hoods work better than you'd think. Some dust escapes, but less than with a sawzall or any other un-hooded tool. I often make more dust removing the cut-out section, than I did cutting it.