How to Cut Bollard Covers
We Cut Your Covers For Free
This article is for the rare cases where a customer wants to cut their own covers for whatever reason.
Higher the Better
Usually, visibility is a key function of a bollard cover, so keeping them high is a good thing. A cover can extend a few inches or even a foot or more above the bollard if desired.
Bollard Cover Height
The minimum height a bollard cover can be depends on the shape of the bollard cover and the height of the concrete dome on the bollard, if any.
With the Dome-Top Bollard Cover, the minimum height, measured on the straight part of the cover wall, is the same as the height of the bollard pipe steel, from the ground to the top edge. The dome of the concrete (if any) will fit inside the dome of the cover.
With Flat-Top Bollard Covers, you will want to measure the height of the concrete dome (if any) and cut the cover with some play, like maybe an inch extra.
With the varying shapes of Decorative Covers, you’ll have to determine how much play you need and cut accordingly.
For more, see our article on How to Measure for Bollard Covers.
Planning Ahead
You probably want to look over all your bollard heights and dedice on a height for all in a group, assuming they are intended to be similar in height. Then, take the highest one and cut all of your covers to match.
Types of Saws to Cut Covers
The covers we sell are all Polyethylene: Low Density and High Density. Basically, plastic. So there are many ways to cut them. Use whatever you are most comfortable with.
Cutting with a Miter Saw
For straight sided covers, 6″ or smaller, we use a 12″ Miter Saw.
- Beware: 1/4″ covers cut nicely because they are fairly rigid. Thinner wall covers like 1/8″ may be too flimsy for this method.
- Be sure your fence is higher than the half-way point of the cover.
- You want to hold the cover firmly as you drop the blade through the side.
- With 5″ and bigger covers, it won’t cut all the way through.
- Stop the saw after each cut and return saw to top resting position.
- Rotate the cover and line up the blade with the cut.
- Again, hold firmly and cut down again.
- Another rotation and final cut should do.
Note in the picture that we are just showing you the setup. Your left hand palm should be firmly holding the cover steady.
Cutting with Other Saws
- A bandsaw with enough clearance works well. Use a 90 degree fence to keep cut straight.
- A jigsaw or reciprocating saw with a medium/fine toothed wood blade cuts well. Mark and measure around with 2″ tape. Make sure tape meets itself and cut will look straight.
Tips and Tricks
- Clean up plastic burrs or wandering edge with a rasp, file, utility knife or sandpaper.
- If bollard is on an incline:
- First cut cover straight for tallest side.
- Then slip cover on temporarily and mark cut line by scribing to match the incline.
- Then cut with appropriate tool.
For comments on this article, please email sales@stpaulsign.com.
