Cutting Hardie Backer Made Simple, Using a Utility Knife, Key Is To Pull Toward You

[@jibberjabber8870]

Other videos showed using the same utility knife to cut cement board but you did it differently. You gave clear detailed explanation on how to go about doing it. Underlying your explanation is your mastery of cement board cutting. You are right. Repeated practice is the best way to learn. Thank you very much for sharing with us what you learned! 😊

[@JustForYouDiy]

Thank you.

[@evepaludan7713]

Thank you!

[@JustForYouDiy]

My pleasure.

[@johngreen4200]

How do you cut straight freehand? I wander out no matter how slow or patient I try.

[@JustForYouDiy]

The key is in the deep scoring with the knife. If the scoring is good, the cut comes out straight. Hope this helps.

[@BenMargolin]

using good form (stay vertically "on top" of the cut, move fluidly and letting the tool do as much of the work as possible) and practice is the true answer.

[@jonathanwebb9862]

I watched this and thought 'great'. Scored my 12mm board far more than the 4 or so passes, but can I snap it? Lol. Even with my weight plus a small jump it's not interested in snapping. Going outside to use the grinder now...

[@JustForYouDiy]

If the pieces you’re cutting are less than 3” wide, using this method is challenging, especially with 1/2” thick hardie.

[@jonathanwebb9862]

@@JustForYouDiy I deliberately allowed 150mm to get some leverage. AIUI the Hardi knife cuts a V groove. I gave it one last go, angling the knife a bit on the waste side to make a bit of a V and it worked. Although the break isn't as smooth as I'd like. I'll do the next two (only got 3 boards) with the grinder - that's a piece of cake, just messy.

[@JustForYouDiy]

Perfect. I hardly use the angle grinder for that same reason, too messy. You can also cut holes this way, scoring with knife then using a hammer.