If you need to cut cement board, there are a variety of tools that you can use for this task. One of the tools that you may choose to use is a Dremel. A Dremel is a very versatile tool that can handle many different attachments, and yes it is something that you can use for this job.
Let’s figure out exactly how to use a Dremel tool to cut cement board.
Is a Dremel the Best Tool for Cutting Cement Board?
Yes, a Dremel is a fantastic tool to use to cut cement board. With that being said, it is not the number one preferred tool of choice. To cut cement board, generally speaking, most people will recommend using either a scoring knife or a utility knife.
The preferred method involves using one of these very sharp blades to score a line down the cement board, and then use physical force to snap it.
That said, if you do not have a scoring knife or utility knife, something like a circular saw, a Dremel, or a rotary tool may also be used. There are special attachments that you can put on a Dremel that are ideal for this purpose.
With that being said, one of the biggest drawbacks here is going to be all of the dust that the cement board creates when you cut it using a high speed blade. Cement board creates and releases fairly toxic dust when it is cut with high speed tools, so you definitely want to wear breathing protection.
What Type of Attachment Should You Use for Cutting Cement Board?
If you plan on using a Dremel to cut cement board, then you absolutely need to have a masonry cutting wheel. These are very small and sharp wheels designed specifically for cutting through very hard objects, such as masonry of course. Now, cement board is not nearly as hard as real masonry, but it’s still fairly hard nonetheless. A regular cutting wheel, such as you would use to cut wood, will not be able to cut through cement board.
How to Cut Cement Board with a Dremel
Let’s go through a quick step-by-step tutorial on exactly how to cut cement board using a Dremel.
Step 1: Prepare the Dremel
You do first need to securely attach a masonry cutting wheel to your Dremel. Remember that a masonry cutting wheel is the only attachment that you can use for this purpose.
Step 2: Make Your Measurements
You are cutting down your cement board because it needs to be a certain size, and therefore you need to first take the measurements of the area where the cement board it will go. With your measurements taken, transfer those measurements onto the cement board.
You want to use any tools you have at your disposal, such as a ruler, measuring tape, and a T-square, to make sure that everything is properly lined up. You’re then going to use a piece of chalk to mark the line as you will cut it.
Step 3: Make the Cut
Exactly how you are going to cut cement board with a Dremel is going to depend on how thick the cement board is and how large your cutting wheel is. If you have a very thin piece of cement board, you can probably get away with just making a single cut along the line you marked in the previous step.
If this is the case, simply power up your tool to full speed, touch the blade to the line where you marked it, push down a little bit to penetrate all the way through the cement board, and then slowly move the Dremel along the line until the cut has been made.
If your cutting wheel is small or the cement board is very thick, you might have to make two separate cuts. If this is the case, make the first cut on the top side just as described above. However, to make it all the way through the cement board, you might then have to flip it over and repeat this cut on the other side.
Mistakes to Avoid, Tips & Tricks
Lastly, here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
- Do not use anything but a dedicated masonry cutting wheel for this task.
- These masonry cutting wheels on Dremels can take a while to function, so never apply too much pressure. You’ll achieve better results if you work slowly and steadily.
- The dust produced by cement board is very dangerous, so you always want to wear breathing protection.
Summary
Although it’s not the number one tool for the task, as you can see, a Dremel is still a fine tool to use to cut cement board.