cutting Fiberglass tube

[csoechtig]

What is the best technique for cutting Fiberlass Body Tubes? I am planning to use a Dremel 545 Diamond Wheel. I assume a staight line and a steady hand is most important. Any other concerns/tips/advice?

[Pantherjon]

Don't forget the goggles and mask! Don't want any f/g dust in your eyes or to be breathing it..How big a tube is it? Will take a bit of time with a dremel for anything bigger then 2 or 3 inches in diameter..Another option would be a table saw.Have the blade exposed to just a little more then the thickness of the tube wall and then you could brace and rotate the tube to get a straight cut fairly quickly...

[RadManCF]

I would use a chop saw. These are benchtop saws, similar to mitre saws, except that they are intended for use on metal, and only make 90° cuts. They also have clamps built into their bases, which would be helpful for cutting pipe and tube.

[flynfrog]

an abrasive tile blade works well.

[csoechtig]

How big a tube is it?

It's a 4" Madcow Fiberglass Airframe

Thanks,
Chris

[amarillo_rocket]

A miter saw with a metal cutting blade makes a smooth cut in FG and CF.

[cwbullet]

chop saw or tile saw.

As you see there a lot of options.

[stealth6]

If you don't have access to such power tools, quite honestly it can be done just fine with a handsaw - especially a pull (japanese) style one. Take your time, mark your lines carefully, brace yourself and the workpiece properly and it's not all that hard. If you aren't exactly true, a minute or two with a flat sanding block is all it takes to square things up nicely.

My own method is usually with a pull saw, and then final squaring if necessary with a nice bench disc sander I happen to have. But sometimes it's just as fast and easy for me to sand/true by hand rather than pull out the powered disc sander.

Works for Bluetube the same way.

s6

[cwbullet]

If you don't have access to such power tools, quite honestly it can be done just fine with a handsaw - especially a pull (japanese) style one. Take your time, mark your lines carefully, brace yourself and the workpiece properly and it's not all that hard. If you aren't exactly true, a minute or two with a flat sanding block is all it takes to square things up nicely.

Old school but it works. Just remember to replace the hack saw blade often.

[MasonH]

I like what pantherjon said. That's how I cut my arrows at the archery shop. Extend the blade past the body tube thickness and rotate it. We do it with fiberglass, carbon, aluminum, and carbon/aluminum blend. Works perfect every time.

[G2Rockets]

If you don't have access to such power tools, quite honestly it can be done just fine with a handsaw - especially a pull (japanese) style one. Take your time, mark your lines carefully, brace yourself and the workpiece properly and it's not all that hard. If you aren't exactly true, a minute or two with a flat sanding block is all it takes to square things up nicely.

My own method is usually with a pull saw, and then final squaring if necessary with a nice bench disc sander I happen to have. But sometimes it's just as fast and easy for me to sand/true by hand rather than pull out the powered disc sander.

Works for Bluetube the same way.

s6

That is a good method. The one addition i make is, i put several layers of tap at the marks to create a guide and slowly make my way around the tube instead of cutting all the way through.

[degreaser]

That is a good method. The one addition i make is, i put several layers of tap at the marks to create a guide and slowly make my way around the tube instead of cutting all the way through.

I use a steel hose clamp as a guide and a fiberglass reinforced abrasive cutoff tool on my Foredom (Dremel).

I've yet to try it but this blade should work very well in a chop saw. It's available at the orange big box store.

Diablo 10 in. x 80 Tooth Carbide Circular Saw Blade
Model # D1080X Internet # 100022265
Store SKU # 330489

[Neuport]

I use my mitre saw with same carbide blade I use for wood and it cuts FG smooth and clean. I also use it on aluminum. Clamp your work and go slow.

[degreaser]

I use my mitre saw with same carbide blade I use for wood and it cuts FG smooth and clean. I also use it on aluminum. Clamp your work and go slow.

I use one of these for Al stock. It cuts it like a hot knife through butter. It should work on fiberglass too but again, I've yet to try it. It has a pretty wide kerf, > 1/8"

http://store.bamcarbide.com/alsawbl10in1.html

[Frozenferrari]

I use a Table saw with a Diamond cut off wheel, but only during the summer when i have access to it. If you can find access, this works best.
Otherwise, use a dremel like original plans. And it seems everyone else above has spoken all that really needs to be said. Wear some clothes that you can immideately toss in the washer, tho. FG dust makes you really itchy. It sucks.

[brandonppr]

I used a metal blade on my chop saw. I didn't just cut strait thru it because if the saw is off then the cut won't be straight. I placed a clamp so that the end of the rocket was pressed against something and then had a friend hold the power and lower the blade until it barely cut it. Then I rotated the tube all the way around while the end stayed pressed against the clamped stop. my tube wasn't fiberglass, but I'm sure it would work.