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Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Drywall

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Tips & Techniques

Cutting Narrow Strips of Drywall

Use an inexpensive plastic speed square to quickly and accurately score pieces without a chalkline or straightedge.

Issue 205

The video above was inspired by this smart reader-submitted tip from Issue 205 of Fine Homebuilding magazine:

On a recent job, we had limited space to work, so the drywall was stacked against a wall rather than lying flat on benches. We needed a bunch of long, narrow strips, but with the drywall leaning against the wall, it was difficult to score narrow pieces properly, at least at first. Then we discovered that we could use an inexpensive plastic speed square to help us quickly and accurately score the drywall.

Cutting narrow strips of drywall
(Click image to enlarge)

As shown in the drawing, we placed the square’s flange on the edge of the drywall, and then pressed the knife’s blade against the edge of the square so that the knife tip just sliced through the drywall paper. Then we simply pulled the square and knife along the length of the sheet, resulting in perfectly straight cuts for those pesky narrow pieces.

I think the reason this process works so well is that the knife blade can dig a little into the plastic square, creating a shallow kerf that keeps the blade from wandering. A metal square wouldn’t work as well.

– Sariq Turner

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Previous: Cut Drywall Without a T-Square Next: Using a Drywall Router

Guide

Drywall

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Hanging Drywall

View Comments

  1. b_ward | Aug 27, 2016 05:55pm | #1

    Good one! Thanks.

  2. garymac | Aug 28, 2016 03:03pm | #2

    Go on to YouTube and watch the Wallboarders Buddy drywall cutter. I used it to cut hundreds of strips for window returns in a condo one time. Faster and straighter than anyone else

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Drywall

Drywall

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Drywall Basics
  • Types and Uses of Drywall
  • Planning the Job
Tools and Materials
  • Hanging Tools
  • Taping Tools and Materials
  • Sanding and Finishing Tools and Materials
Hanging Drywall
  • Prep for Hanging
  • Measuring and Cutting Drywall
  • Guidelines for Hanging and Fastening Drywall
  • Hanging Ceilings
  • Hanging Walls
  • Hanging Airtight Drywall
  • Trim Accessories/Corner Beads
Taping and Sanding
  • Taping Basics
  • Taping Seams
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  • Sanding
Special Installations
  • Tricky Transitions
  • Curved Surfaces
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  • Decorating with Drywall
Drywall Repairs
  • Patching Holes, Cracks, and More
Plaster
  • Working with Lime Plaster
  • Plaster Repair
  • Classic Plaster Techniques

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