Cutting my ikea blinds..

n3crius · 30 Jun 2007 at 10:20

The width on the blinds go over the width of the window a bit. Anyone here cut the width of such blinds? Looks like the metal bit at the top, and all the blinds will need cutting to the same measurement, probably with a saw?

Shackley · 30 Jun 2007 at 10:58

n3crius said:
The width on the blinds go over the width of the window a bit. Anyone here cut the width of such blinds? Looks like the metal bit at the top, and all the blinds will need cutting to the same measurement, probably with a saw?

Yup, done it frequently.

Start with a straight edge and Stanley knife for the (unrolled) blind followed by a hacksaw for the metal rod and the plastic or wooden straightener rod at the bottom.

Peel back the blind an inch or two from the rod before cutting it with the hacksaw and then stick it back in place - to avoid making a mess of the blind at the top.

Remember - measure twice - cut once! You can't stick it back together again

n3crius · 30 Jun 2007 at 11:05

Shackley said:
Yup, done it frequently.

Start with a straight edge and Stanley knife for the (unrolled) blind followed by a hacksaw for the metal rod and the plastic or wooden straightener rod at the bottom.

Peel back the blind an inch or two from the rod before cutting it with the hacksaw and then stick it back in place - to avoid making a mess of the blind at the top.

Remember - measure twice - cut once! You can't stick it back together again

Excellent mate. So, hacksaw it is. That'll do the top metal bit no problem eh?

These are venetians from Ikea. I'm guessing for the length I want to take off altogether, I take half from both sides - sound sensible?

Off to buy a drill anyway so I can grab a saw at the same time.

Shackley · 30 Jun 2007 at 11:18

n3crius said:
Excellent mate. So, hacksaw it is. That'll do the top metal bit no problem eh?

These are venetians from Ikea. I'm guessing for the length I want to take off altogether, I take half from both sides - sound sensible?

Off to buy a drill anyway so I can grab a saw at the same time.

Houston - we may have a problem.

Sorry, I thought you were talking about Ikea roller blinds - I have never cut the Venetian blinds Are the slats made of wood, metal or plastic?

If wood, a fine toothed hacksaw would probably work - but would take some time.

If metal or plastic, you would probably want some sort of scissors - I have a vague feeling that Ikea have ones that are supposed to work - they are like tin snips; I definitely wouldn't use a hacksaw on them.

Also remember that with Venetian blinds, you will have to cut the same amount off both sides - with a roller blind, you only need to cut away one side.

Good luck!

Kristoph · 30 Jun 2007 at 11:23

Shackley said:
Houston - we may have a problem.

Sorry, I thought you were talking about Ikea roller blinds - I have never cut the Venetian blinds Are the slats made of wood, metal or plastic?

If wood, a fine toothed hacksaw would probably work - but would take some time.

If metal or plastic, you would probably want some sort of scissors - I have a vague feeling that Ikea have ones that are supposed to work - they are like tin snips; I definitely wouldn't use a hacksaw on them.

Also remember that with Venetian blinds, you will have to cut the same amount off both sides - with a roller blind, you only need to cut away one side.

Good luck!

Think he's already gone for it. You better write an apology.

Shackley · 30 Jun 2007 at 11:28

mp3kla said:
Think he's already gone for it. You better write an apology.

It's OK, time to emigrate anyhow

TheMightyTen · 30 Jun 2007 at 11:42

Ikea sell a venetian blind cutter

Uncanny really it's like they already knew.

n3crius · 30 Jun 2007 at 16:02

Well I'm pretty much ready to go ahead.

I think cutting the edges of the blinds should be fine. Yes these are all horizontal, so it means going across the edge of a load of these things. I just need to be careful they are aligned correctly.

It's the metal holding strip at the top I'm more concerned about, the saw will get through this?

TheDogFather · 30 Jun 2007 at 16:38

I did my wooden venitian blinds with a hacksaw and a fine blade, it went through the metal no problem, its only Aluminium.

I taped all the slats together to keep them lined up, drew a line on the tape and cut it.

TDF.

Meridian · 30 Jun 2007 at 16:40

TheMightyTen said:
Ikea sell a venetian blind cutter Uncanny really it's like they already knew.

That's what I was thinking. I was never very convinced by its build quality though.

M

n3crius · 30 Jun 2007 at 19:34

Ok, job done. Sawed through the metal and the wood panels (through a process of learning how to keep them straight). Everything is screwed in using my new Bosch powerdrill (so happy with this little beast).

Overall, well pleased!