Cutting G10/FR4

[gearhead]

Call me untalented, but have had a heck of a time cutting the G10/FR4. Completely dulled an exacto blade and didn't even make it 1 mmm thru. Used a Dremel cutoff tool, but my cut line looked like the meandering Mississippi.

Stumbled across this Portable Tile Saw while looking online for something else. I got it yesterday, and cuts through G10/FR4 like creamy milk fat, and -straight-. lol.

http://www.qep.com/index.php?q=node/242

Weighs -maybe- 10 lbs. Thought I'd share

Got mine from Lowes for 58 bucks. Even better (at least locally) if you buy -anything- from them you get a 10 dollar off coupon for purchases of 50 dollars or more.

Get some screws, get back in line, and it's yours for $48.

Do need to do it outside, and wear a mask. However, I didn't try the "wet" option, which I will next time. Given the almost-waterproof nature of GR10, it should dry fast and nearly eliminate all airborne glass particles. Who hoo.

Yes, small things like this are victories I cherish. LOL.

[skyboltone]

I use an ordinary table saw or skill saw with a carbide blade. YMMV

Dan

[drhulsey]

... have had a heck of a time cutting the G10/FR4...

I used a band saw with good results

[gearhead]

Alrighty, this is assuming a) you don't have a table saw or band saw or b) your workspace/saw doesn't have a vacuum attachment.

This puppy is so light you can just drag it outside and let mother nature spread out those annoying, suspended-in-air fine glass particles. Or, running it wet should eliminate those.

[mhuss]

My next-door neighbor has an standalone shop that I use to cut G10, I use the table saw and just keep the 'barn doors' open.

--mark

[gearhead]

I'm not saying that everyone should run out and get one of these, but if you have some space and/or ventilation restrictions, or don't want to cough up the cash and space to get a band/table saw to just cut G10/FR4, this is a pretty nifty and cost-effective solution.

Edited to delete cynacisim. LOL.

[drhulsey]

I think the tile saw is a very cost effective, capable, and safe way to cut your garolite. It doesn't take up much space, either

[skyboltone]

I'm not saying that everyone should run out and get one of these, but if you have some space and/or ventilation restrictions, or don't want to cough up the cash and space to get a band/table saw to just cut G10/FR4, this is a pretty nifty and cost-effective solution.

Geez.

And, you can use it to cut tile too!. I've looked at those with a mind for cutting a variety of stuff that's kind of tough on the old saw blades. Like on the boat fer instance there's all that hose with the dang wire inside. Good idea. Didn't mean to start the parade.

Dan

[RJ Guitars]

yeah,

I have a pretty well equipped wood shop and some metal cutting equipment, but I really like the idea of using something with a bath in it to keep that nasty stuff out of the air... I've been trying to figure out how to cut G-10 without the feeling that I'm putting up a cloud of fiberglass dust.

At $50.00 I'd say it was a good score...

hmmm I just got a Home Depot Gift Card...

rj

[jjman]

I wish I had that when I tiled the kitchen floor last year. I used a diamond blade on my table saw with no dust collection system. Lotsa noise and dust.

[summitcity]

Tile saw? Genius! I have one of those. I have always used a chop saw. It works well. Just a quick chop and it is cut to size. I have never needed to rip in to strips though. The tile saw would rock for that.
I learn new things here all the time.

Jon

[echuta13]

I've been using a wet tile saw, and it's the best way I've found (better then band, or table-saw). The water keeps a fair amount of epoxy/glass nasties out of the air (and your lungs) which is a plus. Goes without saying that you should still wear a mask though...
The edges & corners are actually a little too clean, so I hit them with a bit of sandpaper to round/soften them a bit.

[mpeg2]

If all you're doing is cutting across a strip - then use a hacksaw (metal cutting blade). I had been using a bandsaw until I realized that the G10 was eating the teeth off the blade.

It only takes a minute or two to cut by hand and hacksaw blades are cheap.

Rich

[Tonegeek]

I use a jig saw with a blade designed for cutting plywood. Then I file the cut side with a big file to even it out and dull the edges/corners. Works great and is portable so you can take the mess outside instead of covering your shop in fiberglass dust. WEAR A MASK

[austinb]

I use a heavy duty paper cutter board. Works great and no dust.