Cutting vinyl fence rails

[EddieWalker]

You probably don't need to cut too many of them. Usualy just one to get started and maybe another at a turn or end of the run.

I cut mine with a regular hand saw. It's real easy to get a straight cut, and you can do it right where you are working.

Eddie

 

[Bird]

a regular hand saw. It's real easy to get a straight cut

I've seen people who could do that. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of them.

 

[jimmyj]

Thanks Eddie for bringing up the hand saws. I hadn't thought of doing them on site and where perhaps there is no electricity.

I've got all sorts of hand saws now that they make them laser cut so the teeth cut on both the push and pull stroke. They work fantastic and I used them for just about everything now. Easy, effective, quiet.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks Eddie for bringing up the hand saws. I hadn't thought of doing them on site and where perhaps there is no electricity.

I've got all sorts of hand saws now that they make them laser cut so the teeth cut on both the push and pull stroke. They work fantastic and I used them for just about everything now. Easy, effective, quiet.

I never heard that they had hand saws that cut on both the pull and push stroke. My current hand saw is from Lowes and I keep it in my tool box. It's ideal for lots of quick, little cuts, or just something that I don't want to use a power saw on. They last me about two years, then I get a new one.

Next time I need to buy one, I'm gonna look into what's out there.

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[Builder]

I need to cut some vinyl fence rails to stagger the seams. Can I do this on my miter saw or should I do it by hand with a hack saw? I am worried about them shattering like PVC pipe has a tendency to do with a miter saw.

You can do it with a finish cut (60-80T) blade. I do it all the time that way. If you're unsure, just reverse the blade and you should be fine. Go slow and most importantly, hold the piece very firmly & still.

Whenever you're in a situation like this, best thing to do first is do a couple test cuts on some scrap material.You'll know the outcome beforehand so you don't ruin your good material.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've seen people who could do that. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of them.

Since the end of the rail that you cut slides into the post, it doesn't have to be perfect. What is important is to cut it to the right length so it's in the post far enough not to come out, but not so far that it pushes the other rail out. Just under halfway into the post is perfect.

Eddie

 

[jimmyj]

Eddie, I think Stanley has some. They are AWESOME.

Sorry for the hijack.

How 'bout some pics of this fine fence when it is done.

 

[Eric_Phillips]

Well I went the low tech route with the hand saw and it worked great.

 

[dawoodwa]

Just got through with installing about 1800 feet of three rail fencing. Cut all of mine with a circular saw and a regular gp blade. Never shattered any rails and I cut quite a few because I went through some significant elevation changes. At first I thought that a sawzall would be the way to go but I quickly learned otherwise. Did a few with a handsaw but I use a small generator when I'm away from the house so a power saw isn't a problem.

 

[schmism]

do not mount the saw blade backward in your miter saw! SERIOUS safety issue.

Many people may recommend running a regular saw blade backward for cutting vinyl (i also do this) but thats ONLY in a hand held circular saw.

a good blade to use in your MITER saw would be a 60-80 tooth plywood blade (may also say plastics)

if you have a full selection of tools, a port-a-band would be ideal. (the HF version has been talked about hear on the boards some)