Tool for cutting fiberglass sheets?

[David9726]

The fiberglass sheets are 12x12 and 2, 4, 6 mm thick i've been using a dremel cutting wheel but it makes such a mess. The cuts are mostly straight with a few angles. The dremel works but makes a ton of fiberglass dust that can't be good for your lungs. These sheets are FR4 epoxy/glass laminate.

Is there a specialized tool to cut this ****?

 

[freudianfloyd]

Oscillating Multi-tool?

 

[Katodog]

Jigsaw with fine-tooth blade.

 

[Xti04]

I second both of those suggestions. Those are my tools of choice for cutting up fiberglass jet skis to install custom stuff they should have no problem with the thin sheet. If you want you can clamp it to a wood backing so it doesn't vibrate as bad.

 

[rwa2004]

We cut a ton of it at work and do it all with a carbide blade on a table saw. The small detail cuts are done with an oscillating cutter.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

 

[David9726]

Oscillating Multi-tool?

I didn't know there was such a tool, i will have to buy one of course to see how it works

Jigsaw gets hard to cut with once the sheet is really small.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Marctrees]

I would definitely go w table saw w fine blade, parallel cuts against fence, angled cuts on a sled.

A proper blade should give beautiful smooth edge.

Put a layer of medium sandpaper on the sled bed.. when firmly held down onto that, will not shift when cutting.

Sounds good to me... only concern I would have is would the dust cause abrasive problems in any way on the saw?

Getting into bearings, etc ?

Could just buy a used one, like old Craftsman on C list for $150 - $200 for this use, if you do alot of it.

Marc

 

[danski0224]

Fiber cement board shears might work. Might be worth a shot if you can borrow one to try.

Double cut shears or a Unishear may work. These work on some sheet plastics.

 

[Michigan Mike]

If these are anything like the FRP I used to install I used to use a cabide scoring knife for the straight cuts. Score it a couple of times then break it.

 

[sierradmax]

We cut alot of 3/4" FRP plate with continuous diamond grit wheels. For curved pieces, diamond grit sawz-all blades. Grab a friend and use a shop-vac to collect the dust.

 

[Marctrees]

Actually for the thinner stuff, score and snap against straightedge of workbench may be best.. quick cleanup of edges w hand sanding block ??

I dunno, if not w plain sharp razor knife, then w a regular old style Laminate "Formica" hand dragged scorer ?

Michigan Mike said a carbide scoring knife.. I have never seen that.. the cheap Formica scorers I have used are more like just hardened steel.

If you dont know, they have like a hook end that digs into the material deeper than a plain razor knife... You take a few multiple passes to dig a deeper groove w each pass, then snap down along edge of workpench.. cleanup w sandpaper or appropriate file.

Marc

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I’ve never cut Fibreglass in quantity. But would it be advisable to wear some type of dust mask to prevent breathing in the dust particles?

 

[bullnerd]

Aluminum foil tape and a plasma cutter.

 

[Michigan Mike]

Marc the carbide knife is just a heavy duty version of what you use. Mine were originaly used for formica work. The carbide tip means it will score almost anything. Using one of these does limit the amount of dust produced. I prefer it over any saw cut.

 

[mike93lx]

The fiberglass sheets are 12x12 and 2, 4, 6 mm thick i've been using a dremel cutting wheel but it makes such a mess. The cuts are mostly straight with a few angles. The dremel works but makes a ton of fiberglass dust that can't be good for your lungs. These sheets are FR4 epoxy/glass laminate.

Is there a specialized tool to cut this ****?

You aren't doing this without breathing protection, right? That would be insane...

 

[rsanter]

Use a shop vac while cutting as well

 

[theoldwizard1]

Good power shears or an air nibbler.

 

[AusGlenno]

I do this also. I rig up a vacuum cleaner hose close to the cut. No dust

Use a shop vac while cutting as well

 

[danski0224]

The shop vac crowd should be using a HEPA rated vacuum, and not just any old "shop vac" with a "HEPA filter" in the canister.

Otherwise, the particulate matter that will harm your lungs just blows right through the vacuum, back into the air you are breathing.