Cutting Rubber / Plastic / Aluminium Extrusion

[Onoff]

I've to shorten some sliding gate safety strips. Currently 2m long I need to reduce the length on them to suit the gate height. The "clever bit" gets cut with scissors.

With the grey strip I'm holding removed, then there's a rubber/plastic/aluminium extrusion that needs to be cut together.

The instructions show a "circular saw" blade of some type being used. All I have is a 255mm Evolution chop saw with the standard blade, a Ferrex band saw or manual saws & mitre blocks. The rubber section is a bit "wibbly wobbly" when held as per the last photo.

Thinking I really need a sharp, fine tooth blade? Going to have a look on the total off chance I might have bought a fine tooth blade years ago and forgotten about it.

Any other suggestions. I want a neat cut even though it'll be hidden by end caps. A ragged cut will offend me!

 

[Redsailor]

Mark where the cut is with some masking tape and then carefully cut with a hand hacksaw fitted with a fine tooth blade. You could pack out the "wibbly wobbly" bit with a piece of wood to give it support whilst cutting.

 

[Other Daniel]

Quite honestly, I think I would simply do that with a regular hacksaw

 

[Morrisman]

One trick when cutting annoying stuff like that is to mount a hacksaw blade backward. Sounds daft, but they still cut, albeit slower, but without the ripping, tearing and snagging you get the normal way around.

 

[Onoff]

Off to find a regular hacksaw and mitre block, cheers.

Did find two brand new 255mm Evolution blades whilst looking just now mind.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I'd probably just stick it through the mitre saw very slowly and carefully.

 

[Onoff]

Hacksaw & mitre block did it

 

[Hotstuff]

Sounds like an interesting project.