t bar ceiling

sdj

Hello,
I have purchased 2 x 2 recessed ceiling tiles and I am looking for the best way to cut them to size. I also have to cut the recess in and would like any suggestions.

Bob Mariani

If you are talking about making the 3/8" recess at the edge for the dropped tile effect, buy the tool that is made for this. It will save tons of work. Some here have complained that it was too hard to make these cuts, but that is what happens when you do not use the correct tool for the job. It's cheap!

buletbob

check this out http://www.bontool.com/product1.asp?...roductlistings Its cheep! About $2.00

bjbatlanta

The best way is to "freehand" it if you want your cuts to compensate for irregularities in the wall. Measure from inside edge of your cross tee to the edge of the wall angle. Best to measure both sides and go with the longer of the two if your wall is out a bit. Measure from the "reveal" lip on the tile and add 1/4" to get your overall length. (If you measured 16-3/4" from grid to grid, cut the tile 17".) Lay your tile in the opening, tight to the cross tee. Take your razor knife and lightly run it along the edge of the wall angle to "scribe" the exact line you need to cut (I usually do it twice). Take the tile out, cut the line again with enough pressure to cut about 1/2 way through, then cut from the edge into your scribe line to remove the reveal. Keep your blade sharp (yes you can sharpen a utility knife blade) or replace often. Ceiling tile usually dulls a blade pretty quickly (some brands faster than others) and a good job requires a clean cut. I've even seen the "reveal cutters" at HD, but you can't compensate for an out of square ceiling or a bow in a wall unless you use the method I discribed.

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ponch37300

bjbatlanta has the right idea. I did acoustical ceilings for about 3 years in commercial jobs like hospitals and the green bay packers stadium and I will tell you that you will get much better results free handing the cuts then using the tool. The only difference I did then bjb was I measured from the inside of the wall angle(lay the tape measure on top of the wall angle and butt against the wall) and measure to the edge of the tee. Walls are not perfectly straight and that tool will never give a reveal that follows the wall angle exactly. If you do as bjb suggested your tile lip will follow the wall angle perfectly.

bjbatlanta

I measure regular lay-in tile the way Ponch described. With the reveal, the narrower the lip you have to cut, the easier it seems to be. Measuring wall to grid leaves a slightly wider edge. Either way works fine.

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sdj

Thanks for the replies. You have given me some good ideas

sdj

And i do suport our troops god bless

bjbatlanta

Thank you (and all) for your support, sjd. Hope the ceiling turns out well!

__________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a soldier. Support our troops.