What's the best way to cut 1/4-1/2" thick rubber mats?

[onebowtiedguy]

SHARP utility blade and a metal straight edge is the best way I've found.

Old thread but had to add..... as we cut and punch holes in heavy duty conveyor belting all the time at work. Sharp utility knife and an absolute must is WATER does the trick for a lubricant cuts so smooth and fast. We have a special hollow sharpened round punch in several sizes that takes the old donut piece inside it with a slot in the side that it falls out of afterward when punched through the rubber. again WATER does the best for lubricant.
no water = tough job
water = easy job

 

[bfdiesel]

Spit on it in a pinch

 

[4xdog]

Sharp, sharp blade the best for cutting rubber. Good scissors or shears might surprise you with how well they work. I use ex-laboratory cork borers to cut holes in rubber sheet. These razor sharp tubes cut perfectly. Try a leather punch to make the holes -- you'll get a lot better result cutting than drilling.

Don

 

[Bayou Boy]

For holes, empty cartridges work well. 3/8 is .375" .38 special empties should work perfectly. Position, tap with a hammer, done.

 

[off-roader]

Good idea on using casings! I've definitely got a few laying around.

 

[NMC_EXP]

Used to do a lot of work with rubber. Cutting done mostly with a snap off blade utility knife. Blade must be sharp and rubber will dull it quickly.

Blade and rubber must be lubricated. Rather than plain water, add some liquid soap. Plain water will not "wet out" rubber, it just beads up. Soap breaks the surface tension.

For round holes in thin stuff use a punch. Thicker stuff use a Forstner style drill bit.

Do not use oil, fuel or other petroleum based liquid to lube rubber unless that specific rubber part is designed for use in oil or fuel. Rubber types used for tires, radiator hoses, weatherstripping, floor mats, etc, will be chemically degraded by petroleum based liquids.

Regards

Jim