Plasterboard panels have many advantages as a finishing material. They form smooth and aesthetically attractive coatings on walls and ceilings, while also allowing for surface decoration. But due to mechanical instability, the fastening of such panels requires the preliminary creation of a metal base or supporting skeleton, which will evenly distribute the load on the panel. It is possible to carry out the installation of the frame components with different tools, but the cutter for the metal profile under the drywall or other sheet material will be the most convenient and accurate. This is a special device that allows you to form connection points with minimal organizational effort.
Tool design
A typical device provides for two handles and a working mechanism. The second, in turn, is formed by two functional parts - a head with a bat and a sponge, which has a special niche for a bit. In the process, the tool provides for the placement of two sheets between the functional parts. Further, at the moment of pressing by the operator, punching of two profiles occurs, as a result of which a cut is formed on the back side. The edges of the slots are bent, creating a fixing effect. The standard cutter for the metal profile for drywall is small and can be used as a universal connector. The advantages of this tool include ease of use, lack of need for energy supply and complete autonomy. Moreover, unlike other connecting tools, screeners do not need consumables.
Varieties
Screening machines are regular and drum. Conventional models allow you to work with a specific size of profiles. The fact is that sponges with bits are guided by specific parameters of the formation of a slot, which is determined by their size. Accordingly, a tool with one pair of bit-sponge will be appropriate in working with profiles of the same size, and inappropriate in servicing other formats. A drum or revolving screener for a metal profile for drywall is more functional. The types and modifications of such designs may differ in the number of typesetting bits, but their overall advantage remains the same - this is the ability to work with profiles of different sizes. And here the question may arise - why is it impossible to make connections on different profiles with a single cutter, regardless of the format of the bits? Theoretically, this is possible, but the larger the slot, the more reliable the hitch. This applies not only to the discrepancy between the massive metal structure and the small-format slot, which gives weak fasteners. For a thin narrow profile, it will also be impractical to use a large bit, which can weaken the bar.
Installation Rules
The workflow is simple, and even a novice can handle it. First you need to make sure that the slot format is really suitable for a particular pair of profiles. Further, the total thickness of two sheets, which should not exceed 1.5 mm, is also taken into account. If the material meets these conditions, then you can begin to work. It is necessary to connect the two sides of the profile in a position in which they will be operated. Then the cutter for the metal profile under the drywall is located so that a pair of sheets is between the sponge and the bat. It should be borne in mind that the edge will be bent from the side opposite to the direction of impact of the bit. This nuance is important if the profile will also act as an element of decoration, but in other cases, turning the bend does not matter much. Then it remains to perform the final action in the form of compression of the two handles of the tool.
Manufacturer's Reviews
High-quality models of cutters for metal profiles are produced by large manufacturers of construction tools. For example, in the search for a suitable version for professional regular work, experienced installers recommend paying attention to the metal profile cutter for the Matrix drywall in modification 87950. According to users, this is a solid and high-quality model that is suitable for working with steel structures of almost all standard sizes. Similar quality and capabilities are also offered by JTC, Srayer, Knipex, Fit, Samtool, etc.
Less popular companies are also in demand in the market in this segment, since they offer household models at low prices. An example of such a tool is a slotter for a metal profile for Sparta drywall, the features of which include the possibility of forming edge antennae that increase the reliability of the hitch.
What to consider when choosing a model?
Initially, it is worth considering the type and format of the material for which the tool is purchased. Manual models for the most part are able to work with sheets whose thickness does not exceed 0.55 mm. If the limit noted above for the total sheet thickness of 1.5 mm must be passed, then refer to models that have an amplification mechanism. With this addition, the cutter for the metal profile under the drywall is easier to handle manually, despite the thickness of the material. It is important to consider the diameter of the slot - the same size that will affect the durability and reliability of the fasteners. The average hole diameter is 3-5 mm. But, again, revolving models fully cover this range.
Conclusion
The disadvantages of this method of attachment still include low coupling strength. Even a qualitatively curved edge does not stand close in reliability next to the effect that an ordinary screw will provide. But the formation of hardware fastening requires more physical effort and financial investment in drills and screwdrivers, which can cost 2-3 thousand rubles. And this is another advantage that a screener for a metal profile for drywall has - the price of such devices on average is 700-1,000 rubles. And again, this tool does not require consumables in the form of screwdrivers, rivets or self-tapping screws. The bent part of the profile material acts as an element of retention of the structure.