Drywall profile cutter - a tool for quickly connecting profiles

A cutter is a tool that allows you to quickly connect metal profiles to each other without using additional fasteners. The principle of its operation is to punch holes at the joints and simultaneously roll the edges. Thanks to this technique, we get a durable structure for drywall, and the main advantage of such fastening is the speed of construction.

When choosing a cutter for a profile, you should pay attention to the following factors:

• steel quality;
• reliability of the mechanism;
• ergonomics of handles;
• the presence of a lever mechanism, or its absence;
• punch size.

Most aspects are easy to determine by eye, except for the build quality and the steel used. You can’t do this without personal experience or reviews from real users. We also studied them and took them into account when compiling our rating, which included the 10 best models with which you will not experience any inconvenience when working. The TOP included both the most popular manufacturers, who often inflate the price just for their name, and little-known brands from Asia, which are also distinguished by their high quality and compliance with all stated requirements. We will look at both cutters with a reinforced punch and the simplest lever-type tools, which cost less, but are less convenient during operation and force the master to exert increased effort when pressing the levers.

How to choose

You can find it in any specialty store. But the seller will present to your attention several types of cutter at once, and the choice will be difficult. The cutters can be machine-operated, manual or pneumatic.

A pneumatic or manual cutter will be useful to you if you have to design a complex profile, stretch or bend a frame, or trim corners. These cutters are small in size, but nevertheless very powerful.

Manual cutters usually have a small handle: they can not only fasten the frame, but also, for example, punch a keyhole.

Pneumatic cutter

But the most common product in the assortment is a reinforced cutter. Its name is not accidental, since it is made of materials of special strength, and it is extremely difficult to break it. If its cutting part is worn out, it can be replaced.

It is also worth mentioning about professional cutters. But they are used in the construction of buildings, since they are too large for renovations in an apartment, and the price of such a cutter is almost equal to the entire structure made of gypsum plasterboard.

When choosing a cutter, provide your sales consultant with the following information:

• Metal profile thickness;
• Profile properties;
• Hole shape and size;
• The need to use a press at any stage of work.

It’s interesting that many craftsmen make their own cutter from improvised materials.

Features of the work process

It is believed that a reinforced cutter is a more versatile tool that will definitely not let you down. There really is a logic to this: not every other cutter will be able to go to the middle of the face where the fastening will be carried out.

You can understand it using an example:

• The maximum height of the side faces of the ceiling profile is 27 mm;
• The rack profile has a height of 50 mm;
• The height of the guide profile is 40 mm.

Considering these parameters, not every cutter will reach the connection point, but reinforced profile pliers will cope with this. They will fit virtually any standard profile size.

Cutter for connecting profiles

How is it used

The principle of operation of the cutter is similar to the principle of operation of the stapler. That is, in order to fasten the profile, the cutter is placed in the desired position, its handles are moved apart, and the location of the hole is marked. Then the handles are sharply brought together and the profiles are connected to each other. And a furrow is formed on the inside. Then the handles of the cutter are separated, and you can move to another connection point.

The cutter connects the gypsum board profile very firmly, so that the structure is ready for increased load.

The tool has parts such as a punch and a die. They can be replaced if you are faced with the task of making holes of different sizes. That is, you will need additional kits. But you shouldn’t change the punch and die too often: the mounting holes will quickly break, and the tool will wear out faster than necessary.

Of course, sooner or later, even without complaints, the tool in use will be worn out. It is the cutting element that breaks and becomes dull, which can be replaced in a special workshop. The springs for connecting the handles may also fall out, and it will be difficult to insert them yourself - it is better to also send them for repair.

Profile lines

The best hand models

Let's look at several current models of hand tools.

Sparta

A simple and inexpensive, but very convenient tool. Made of durable stainless steel coated with anti-corrosion coating. The handles have polymer pads that prevent slipping and improve grip. Designed for connecting metal profiles up to 1-1.2 mm thick.

Thanks to the small diameter of the bracket, it is quite maneuverable and easily allows you to connect the profile even in hard-to-reach places.

The average cost of the model in Russian stores is 500-600 rubles.

SIBIN 3132

Inexpensive cutter. Structurally, it is almost no different from Sparta, but has a larger diameter bracket and is a little more massive. Thanks to this, the model can be used to work with profiles up to 1.5 mm thick.

The average cost in Russian stores is in the range from 700 to 800 rubles.

DEXX 31391

An inexpensive but high-quality cutter that can be purchased for 500-600 rubles. It stands out among other budget devices due to its high-quality assembly. Capable of working with metal profiles up to 1 mm thick.

Device

The cutter, or, as it is otherwise called, profile pliers, consists of several components.

Parts of the cutter:

• The bracket has two legs; the bracket has a stop with a recess;
• Fixed handle firmly attached to the bracket;
• A movable handle mechanically connected to a lever and a punch.

It is worth mentioning the loop: it serves for convenient storage of the cutter in a closed state. Movable axes are responsible for the movement of working parts.

The device of the cutter

Kinds

What kind of cutter do you use?

NormalReinforced

There are 3 types of metal profile cutters:

• Regular

The cheapest options are named. Suitable for relatively small amounts of work.

They have the following distinctive features:

• less durable (compared to other varieties) connection of parts;
• less durable material;
• less penetration force;
• less work resource.

Expert opinion

Levin Dmitry Konstantinovich

Due to the low penetration force, most models in this category are not capable of working with profiles thicker than 1.5 mm.

• 
  Reinforced

Heavier and more expensive instrument. Has greater penetration power and lasts longer. Capable of working with metal profiles from 1.5 cm. In this case, jamming does not occur.

Reinforced models are often used by professional builders.

• Professional tool

Designed for use by professional craftsmen and capable of penetrating even a fairly thick layer of metal. It has a more massive design: everything in it is reinforced, from the punch and frame to the spring.

Devices are classified according to other criteria. For example, depending on how many hands are involved in the work, they are:

• one-handed;
• two-handed.

The latter provide greater penetration power, and the latter provide greater operating speed.

Different models may differ in the diameter of the bracket. The smaller it is, the more difficult-to-reach places installation can be carried out. However, this also has disadvantages - the penetration force is limited, and the thickness of the metal available for work is reduced.

Pros and cons of using cutters

This type of instrument is not very popular yet. It’s difficult to name the reasons, because the thing is really good. Especially for those who install plasterboard systems, and for home craftsmen, this is also a necessary thing. What are the advantages:

• Fast and reliable connection of profiles. The speed of installation of the frame under drywall increases significantly. The principle of operation is simple: insert the parts to be connected between the jaws, squeeze the handles, move, repeat. And so on as many times as required.

  
  Punch for drywall profile. This is also what this instrument is called.

• No need to use fasteners. This saves time and money.
• The tool is hand-held, so no electricity is needed. You can work on any objects.
• There is no protrusion at the junction of the profiles. When mounted with rivets or self-tapping screws, the head protrudes above the surface of the profile. Self-tapping screws have more, rivets have less. This prevents the sheet of drywall from laying flat without bending. When using a cutter, the bends remain on the “wrong” side of the profile. The front is obtained without protrusions. The sheet lays flat, which reduces the time for putty and its consumption.

  
  For installing drywall, the absence of protrusions is definitely a plus

Few of those who have tried to work as a cutter return to self-tapping screws. Although, I must say, there are some. Sometimes in difficult places, the connection is “grabbed” with a self-tapping screw, then a cutter is used, and the self-tapping screw is unscrewed. But these are those who like to play it safe. With some work skill, additional fixation is not required.

Flaws

Now about the cons. Using a plasterboard profile cutter really saves time. But the tool is manual and requires the application of muscle force. With large volumes of installation, namely structures made from profiles, fatigue quickly accumulates. And by the end of the working day, the speed of work drops. The better the tool, the less effort is required, but it is still needed. And this is a minus.

The second drawback is the difficulty of disassembling. To separate the two profiles, you need to bend the metal petals. It takes more time than when unscrewing screws. But less than when removing rivets. It seems that these are all the difficulties and disadvantages of working with a cutter.

Not everywhere you can crawl up and make a cut. Then you have to use screws and a screwdriver

There is another drawback, which is due to the shape of the working part. Some components - jumpers, clamps - are simply impossible to “reach” with a cutter. The punch won't fit in there. There are models with very large “windows”, but they are not very good for regular connections. For professionals, having several different models is normal, but for home use it is clearly overkill.

Self-tapping screws or notches

It has already been said that when using cutters the sheet lies flatter. And this is a clear plus in favor of the expanded connection. The second unconditional plus is saving time. The third is the lack of consumables.

The disadvantages of joining GK profiles with a cutter include insufficient fastening strength. Self-tapping screws are more reliable. Perhaps, but the strength of the frame is needed only until it is sheathed with gypsum boards. And it will be enough, even if you make only one fastener for each connection. But it’s up to you to decide which is better - a cutter or self-tapping screws.

The best professional tool

Below are some current professional tools.

BISON Master 3135

A domestically produced tool, the cost of which is only 1,500 rubles. It has a massive bracket, reinforced with additional steel strips. Equipped with a specially designed lever. Thanks to this, it is possible to penetrate a thick profile.

Brigadier

An inexpensive cutter with a powerful bracket, designed to work with thick profiles. Structurally reminiscent of the Bison. But it costs slightly less – about 1,100 rubles.

TOPEX (43E101)

Model with a reinforced bracket made of two steel plates connected by rivets. Thanks to this design solution, it is able to penetrate even thick metal profiles. Designed for one-handed operation. It has a rather tight return spring, so not everyone will be comfortable working with the device.

The average cost of the model is 2,000-2,500 rubles.