Cutting a bath panel

[kjacko]

Hi all,

So, i got my en suite almost finished, and come to put the bath panel on and because i've tiled down to it at the 'P' end and boxed in the other end, it won't fit on.
This is the panel,
http://www.bathstore.com/products/liberty-1500-bath-side-panel-1476.html

Now, the bath is level but the floor slopes, so i'll have to trim up to 10mm off the bottom of the 'P' end. A ball-ache i know, but needs to be done.
However, the amount i need to trim off tapers down to nothing at the back end, and this is where i might hit a snag as the bottom of the panel as you could imagine rolls under in an 'L' shape so that it fits into the brackets that have been positioned accordingly. (Check the PDF fitting instructions on the link above and you'll see what i mean)
So in effect where i taper down to trimming almost nothing off i'll be slicing into the return bit (foot of the 'L' shape) of the panel that goes under and into the bracket.

Is any of this making any sense, lol?

If so, can you see my predicament, and how would you tackle it?

The other part of the problem is that i'd either have to trim a good 25mm off the back vertical end, OR chop out some of the boxing in to allow for the panel to sit in as intended, unbutchered.
I'll get some pics up later so you can see what i mean.

I could really do with some sound advice before getting the Bosch multi-tool out.

Thanks in advance.

 

[foxhole]

I use a belt sander to trim back bath panels , takes off a small amount easily and is easy to control, touch it with a multi-tool and it's liable to rip as its difficult to prevent movement when cutting a panel.

 

[Burnerman]

Your link doesn't work for me, but Foxy is talking great sense here.....please be aware that if you cut into a corner area the panel becomes much weaker and therefore more prone to splitting.
Would cutting the boxing in allow the panel to remain whole?
John

 

[gregers]

I HATE THESE BLOODY THINGS WITH A VENGEANCE.

the above advice is very sound.
i would be looking at cutting a notch into the floor

 

[foxhole]

It would have been advisable to level the floor, then if tight you could have trimmed the top which is hidden under the bath lip. Just helped my son- in law trim one after he added tiles to one end leaving it too long.
If you remove the bottom lip you could glue on a timber to rear , screw on a metal plate to the bottom of it and regain the lip to locate it on your clips which would be adjusted back to allow for this alteration..

 

[xr4x4]

I use a angle grinder and a super thin metal cutting cutting disk.

Easy, neat perfect cut.

 

[kjacko]

i would be looking at cutting a notch into the floor

Lol, you serious? 10mm 'notch' in the floor?

It would have been advisable to level the floor, then if tight you could have trimmed the top which is hidden under the bath lip. Just helped my son- in law trim one after he added tiles to one end leaving it too long.

Level the floor? It did occur to me when i first noticed the slope but didn't really think it would cause later consequences. Not sure it would have been possible anyway as it would mean raise the end where the door threshold is 10mm = trip hazard, lol.

Mine does sound like yours, too long cos i've tiled both ends.

Anyway, pics to follow.

 

[kjacko]

Hope this shows my predicament off a little better

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• kjacko
• 15 Nov 2012
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• kjacko
• 15 Nov 2012
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• kjacko
• 15 Nov 2012
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• kjacko
• 15 Nov 2012
• 1

Guys, regarding using a belt sander, you don't think my Bosch PMF180 with the 3/4 circle cutter thingy should be used to take the 10mm part off. Surely it would take forever with a belt sander (don't have one anyway, but can borrow one)

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Surely it would take forever with a belt sander (don't have one anyway, but can borrow one)

On acrylic? It will eat the stuff - probably very, very quickly!

 

[foxhole]

Belt sander or grinder, melt the plastic very rapidly, as soon as it cools it snaps off cleanly. 10mm at threshold would not represent a trip hazard. Thresholds up to 30mm are common and present no problem, unless you have a disability.

 

[gregers]

i would be looking at cutting a notch into the floor

Lol, you serious? 10mm 'notch' in the floor?


er no hence the smileys,what ever you do,TAKE your time doing it.

 

[kjacko]

er no hence the smileys,what ever you do,TAKE your time doing it.

Lol, i'm sooo taking my time, i'm almost scared to touch it now, for fear of borking it up.

Think the best bet is to trim the height down to the tapered amount (from the bottom though not the top), remove the tiled part of the boxing in so that the panel should at least be able to fit without trimming the vertical edges.
All agreed?
If i borrow belt sander how am i supposed to secure the panel so it doesn't wobble like a jelly?

 

[Burnerman]

I think I would agree with you - and it could be an idea to fix a timber lath to the floor, and fix through the bottom of the panel to that - hiding the screws under caps, naturally!
John

 

[kjacko]

aahh.....i actually meant how do i secure the bath panel for trimming it down. Surely applying a belt sander will make it wobble like crazy?
If i was to use my Bosch PMF180 then i could lay it down on its side, but can't do that if i sand the bottom edge down.

 

[foxhole]

Ideally get someone to hold it, the sander or grinder don't cause much movement as they only have to touch the plastic lightly to remove it.