Re: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

[Gary Nylander via CnC-List]

There are a lot of sources for ‘fein’ tools, such as Lowe’s and I’m sure Home 
Depot. I got one at Harbor Freight, figuring it will outlive me for the few 
cuts I will use it for.

 

Gary

 

From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Dave S via 
CnC-List
Sent: Sunday, April 9, 2017 7:38 AM
To: C Stus List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>; Rick Brass <rickbr...@earthlink.net>
Cc: Dave S <syerd...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

 

Rick - two tools.   Small angle grinder with zip disc (for fast and blast)  and 
for precise surgery absolutely, the fein multi tool with a really good circular 
bimetal blade.  Angle grinder with rubber pad and abrasive disks for surface 
prep, shaping edges.

 

Those two tools, plus the judicious use of a hole saw (to radius corners) are 
all you really need.

 

The fein multi tool was conceived by the gods for this kind of work, and using 
it is a life changing experience.  .;-)

 

For glass work itself a few thoughts here:

 

http://cncwindstar.blogspot.ca/p/making-fibreglass-parts.html

 

Dave

 

 

 

From: Rick Brass <rickbr...@earthlink.net <mailto:rickbr...@earthlink.net> >
To: <cnc-list@cnc-list.com <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com> >
Cc: 
Bcc: 
Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2017 23:58:25 -0400
Subject: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

As background, I installed an opening port on Imzadi to replace a fixed 
aluminum framed portlight, and it didn’t go to my expectations. I had to expand 
the existing opening by a small margin, and decided that I could use my handy 
dandy Dremel tool to cut the fiberglass laminate. But the cut I got was far 
from smooth and straight. So I decided I’d put off installing the other three 
ports until I figured out a better way of doing it.

 

I have three current projects that will require me to cut laminate: additional 
opening ports, removing the inner skin on the cockpit locker covers so I can 
replace rotted core, and making a propane locker. So my question is: What would 
be the best tool for getting smooth straight cuts in fiberglass laminate?

 

A friend in the boat repair business will loan me his Rotozip, but I’m not 
confident that I would get better cuts that I did on the window opening 
(operator error, I freely admit).

 

Dremel (among others) makes a mini circular saw that looks almost ideal for 
making shallow, straight cuts. But corners might be a problem.

 

A vibrating multi-tool (I still think of it as a Fein tool) seems like a real 
possibility, plus having a lot of uses on other projects. But I’m not sure how 
well it will cut fiberglass.

 

You guys are the experts. What tool should I buy (or borrow)?

 

Rick Brass

Imzadi  C 38 mk 2

la Belle Aurore C 25 mk1

Washington, NC

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Re: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

[Dennis C. via CnC-List]

After a couple decades of marine repair, I own and have used most of the
tools mentioned so far.  The one I do NOT like is the Rotozip.

Having said that, my choices for a straight cut would be a vibrating saw or
a jigsaw.  Slight tilt toward the vibrating saw.  My choice of jigsaw is
the Bosch 1587VS (1587AVS is the offshore manufactured version currently
offered).  IMHO, it is superior to the other brands.

For rounded corners, drill with appropriate size then connect with one of
the above.

For simply enlarging an existing hole, a rasp style tool works well.
Patience is critical.

Finally, a Dremel with a carbide bit works well for small adjustments.

Dennis C.

On Sat, Apr 8, 2017 at 10:58 PM, Rick Brass via CnC-List <
cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:

> As background, I installed an opening port on Imzadi to replace a fixed
> aluminum framed portlight, and it didn’t go to my expectations. I had to
> expand the existing opening by a small margin, and decided that I could use
> my handy dandy Dremel tool to cut the fiberglass laminate. But the cut I
> got was far from smooth and straight. So I decided I’d put off installing
> the other three ports until I figured out a better way of doing it.
>
>
>
> I have three current projects that will require me to cut laminate:
> additional opening ports, removing the inner skin on the cockpit locker
> covers so I can replace rotted core, and making a propane locker. So my
> question is: What would be the best tool for getting smooth straight cuts
> in fiberglass laminate?
>
>
>
> A friend in the boat repair business will loan me his Rotozip, but I’m not
> confident that I would get better cuts that I did on the window opening
> (operator error, I freely admit).
>
>
>
> Dremel (among others) makes a mini circular saw that looks almost ideal
> for making shallow, straight cuts. But corners might be a problem.
>
>
>
> A vibrating multi-tool (I still think of it as a Fein tool) seems like a
> real possibility, plus having a lot of uses on other projects. But I’m not
> sure how well it will cut fiberglass.
>
>
>
> You guys are the experts. What tool should I buy (or borrow)?
>
>
>
> Rick Brass
>
> *Imzadi  *C 38 mk 2
>
> *la Belle Aurore *C 25 mk1
>
> Washington, NC
>
>
>
> ___
>
> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you
> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>
> All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
>
>
___

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make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
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Re: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

[Brent Driedger via CnC-List]

When you drill a hole, don't forget to chamfer it to prevent hairline cracks 
from appearing in the gel coat.  

Dremel tools with little grinding discs are great for small cuts in thin glass 
like interior liner etc. Also great for fixing those hairline cracks. 

When I rebuilt the front of my keel box I used a grinder with a flapper sander 
disc to remove the outer skin and all the damaged fill material inside.  This 
worked really well and provided a lot of control. 

Brent
27-5
Lake Winnipeg. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 9, 2017, at 6:44 AM, Joel Aronson via CnC-List  
> wrote:
> 
> Rick
> 
> I want one of those mini circular saws but have not found a project for one. 
> If  Cutting the skin for a recore it should work well because it will make a 
> thinner cut than the Fein. The mini circular, router or jigsaw should work 
> for enlarging the opening. 
> 
> Joel 
> 
> -- 
> Joel 
> 301 541 8551
> ___
> 
> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish 
> to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
> 
> All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
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make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
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Re: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

[William Walker via CnC-List]

Rick,
 Whatever tool you choose for straight cuts I would recommend starting by 
drilling out corners with an appropriately sized hole saw, that is with radius 
you want for corners.  You probably already know this, but don't leave square 
corners in the cut out as they will Crack and the cracks migrate under stress.  
Bill Walker 
CnC 36
Pentwater, Mi 

 Original message 
From: Rick Brass via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
Date: 4/8/17 20:58 (GMT-08:00)
To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com
Cc: Rick Brass <rickbr...@earthlink.net>
Subject: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

As background, I installed an opening port on Imzadi to replace a fixed 
aluminum framed portlight, and it didn’t go to my expectations. I had to expand 
the existing opening by a small margin, and decided that I could use my handy 
dandy Dremel tool to cut the fiberglass laminate. But the cut I got was far 
from smooth and straight. So I decided I’d put off installing the other three 
ports until I figured out a better way of doing it.

 

I have three current projects that will require me to cut laminate: additional 
opening ports, removing the inner skin on the cockpit locker covers so I can 
replace rotted core, and making a propane locker. So my question is: What would 
be the best tool for getting smooth straight cuts in fiberglass laminate?

 

A friend in the boat repair business will loan me his Rotozip, but I’m not 
confident that I would get better cuts that I did on the window opening 
(operator error, I freely admit).

 

Dremel (among others) makes a mini circular saw that looks almost ideal for 
making shallow, straight cuts. But corners might be a problem.

 

A vibrating multi-tool (I still think of it as a Fein tool) seems like a real 
possibility, plus having a lot of uses on other projects. But I’m not sure how 
well it will cut fiberglass.

 

You guys are the experts. What tool should I buy (or borrow)?

 

Rick Brass

Imzadi  C 38 mk 2

la Belle Aurore C 25 mk1

Washington, NC

 

___

This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to 
make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: 
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray

All Contributions are greatly appreciated!


Sent from AOL Mobile Mail___

This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to 
make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
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All Contributions are greatly appreciated!

Re: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

[Joel Aronson via CnC-List]

Rick

I want one of those mini circular saws but have not found a project for
one. If  Cutting the skin for a recore it should work well because it will
make a thinner cut than the Fein. The mini circular, router or jigsaw
should work for enlarging the opening.

Joel
On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 7:38 AM Dave S via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
wrote:

> Rick - two tools.   Small angle grinder with zip disc (for fast and blast)
>  and for precise surgery absolutely, the fein multi tool with a really good
> circular bimetal blade.  Angle grinder with rubber pad and abrasive disks
> for surface prep, shaping edges.
>
> Those two tools, plus the judicious use of a hole saw (to radius corners)
> are all you really need.
>
> The fein multi tool was conceived by the gods for this kind of work, and
> using it is a life changing experience.  .;-)
>
> For glass work itself a few thoughts here:
>
> http://cncwindstar.blogspot.ca/p/making-fibreglass-parts.html
>
> Dave
>
>
>
> From: Rick Brass <rickbr...@earthlink.net>
> To: <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2017 23:58:25 -0400
>
> Subject: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass
>
> As background, I installed an opening port on Imzadi to replace a fixed
> aluminum framed portlight, and it didn’t go to my expectations. I had to
> expand the existing opening by a small margin, and decided that I could use
> my handy dandy Dremel tool to cut the fiberglass laminate. But the cut I
> got was far from smooth and straight. So I decided I’d put off installing
> the other three ports until I figured out a better way of doing it.
>
>
>
> I have three current projects that will require me to cut laminate:
> additional opening ports, removing the inner skin on the cockpit locker
> covers so I can replace rotted core, and making a propane locker. So my
> question is: What would be the best tool for getting smooth straight cuts
> in fiberglass laminate?
>
>
>
> A friend in the boat repair business will loan me his Rotozip, but I’m not
> confident that I would get better cuts that I did on the window opening
> (operator error, I freely admit).
>
>
>
> Dremel (among others) makes a mini circular saw that looks almost ideal
> for making shallow, straight cuts. But corners might be a problem.
>
>
>
> A vibrating multi-tool (I still think of it as a Fein tool) seems like a
> real possibility, plus having a lot of uses on other projects. But I’m not
> sure how well it will cut fiberglass.
>
>
>
> You guys are the experts. What tool should I buy (or borrow)?
>
>
>
> Rick Brass
>
> *Imzadi  *C 38 mk 2
>
> *la Belle Aurore *C 25 mk1
>
> Washington, NC
> ___
>
> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you
> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>
> All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
>
-- 
Joel
301 541 8551
___

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make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray

All Contributions are greatly appreciated!

Re: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

[phorvati . via CnC-List]

One of those multitools, jigsaw, portable circular saw for large sections,
and Dremmel circular wheel ones with blades.

On Apr 8, 2017 11:59 PM, "Rick Brass via CnC-List" 
wrote:

As background, I installed an opening port on Imzadi to replace a fixed
aluminum framed portlight, and it didn’t go to my expectations. I had to
expand the existing opening by a small margin, and decided that I could use
my handy dandy Dremel tool to cut the fiberglass laminate. But the cut I
got was far from smooth and straight. So I decided I’d put off installing
the other three ports until I figured out a better way of doing it.



I have three current projects that will require me to cut laminate:
additional opening ports, removing the inner skin on the cockpit locker
covers so I can replace rotted core, and making a propane locker. So my
question is: What would be the best tool for getting smooth straight cuts
in fiberglass laminate?



A friend in the boat repair business will loan me his Rotozip, but I’m not
confident that I would get better cuts that I did on the window opening
(operator error, I freely admit).



Dremel (among others) makes a mini circular saw that looks almost ideal for
making shallow, straight cuts. But corners might be a problem.



A vibrating multi-tool (I still think of it as a Fein tool) seems like a
real possibility, plus having a lot of uses on other projects. But I’m not
sure how well it will cut fiberglass.



You guys are the experts. What tool should I buy (or borrow)?



Rick Brass

*Imzadi  *C 38 mk 2

*la Belle Aurore *C 25 mk1

Washington, NC



___

This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you
wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray

All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
___

This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to 
make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray

All Contributions are greatly appreciated!

Re: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

[Dave S via CnC-List]

Rick - two tools.   Small angle grinder with zip disc (for fast and blast)
 and for precise surgery absolutely, the fein multi tool with a really good
circular bimetal blade.  Angle grinder with rubber pad and abrasive disks
for surface prep, shaping edges.

Those two tools, plus the judicious use of a hole saw (to radius corners)
are all you really need.

The fein multi tool was conceived by the gods for this kind of work, and
using it is a life changing experience.  .;-)

For glass work itself a few thoughts here:

http://cncwindstar.blogspot.ca/p/making-fibreglass-parts.html

Dave



From: Rick Brass <rickbr...@earthlink.net>
To: <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
Cc:
Bcc:
Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2017 23:58:25 -0400
Subject: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

As background, I installed an opening port on Imzadi to replace a fixed
aluminum framed portlight, and it didn’t go to my expectations. I had to
expand the existing opening by a small margin, and decided that I could use
my handy dandy Dremel tool to cut the fiberglass laminate. But the cut I
got was far from smooth and straight. So I decided I’d put off installing
the other three ports until I figured out a better way of doing it.



I have three current projects that will require me to cut laminate:
additional opening ports, removing the inner skin on the cockpit locker
covers so I can replace rotted core, and making a propane locker. So my
question is: What would be the best tool for getting smooth straight cuts
in fiberglass laminate?



A friend in the boat repair business will loan me his Rotozip, but I’m not
confident that I would get better cuts that I did on the window opening
(operator error, I freely admit).



Dremel (among others) makes a mini circular saw that looks almost ideal for
making shallow, straight cuts. But corners might be a problem.



A vibrating multi-tool (I still think of it as a Fein tool) seems like a
real possibility, plus having a lot of uses on other projects. But I’m not
sure how well it will cut fiberglass.



You guys are the experts. What tool should I buy (or borrow)?



Rick Brass

*Imzadi  *C 38 mk 2

*la Belle Aurore *C 25 mk1

Washington, NC
___

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make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
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Re: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

[james via CnC-List]

Rick, when I did my portlights I tried a bunch of different methods to 
cut the openings. By far the best blade you can use to cut fiberglass 
with a jigsaw is called Sterling - Glass-fab blades #87072 has the Bosch 
shank & #82032 will fit the B They cut clean and relatively quick and 
hold up very well. I used 1 blade to cut all four portlights.


James

Delaney

1976 C 38

Oriental, NC


On 4/8/2017 11:58 PM, Rick Brass via CnC-List wrote:


As background, I installed an opening port on Imzadi to replace a 
fixed aluminum framed portlight, and it didn’t go to my expectations. 
I had to expand the existing opening by a small margin, and decided 
that I could use my handy dandy Dremel tool to cut the fiberglass 
laminate. But the cut I got was far from smooth and straight. So I 
decided I’d put off installing the other three ports until I figured 
out a better way of doing it.


I have three current projects that will require me to cut laminate: 
additional opening ports, removing the inner skin on the cockpit 
locker covers so I can replace rotted core, and making a propane 
locker. So my question is: What would be the best tool for getting 
smooth straight cuts in fiberglass laminate?


A friend in the boat repair business will loan me his Rotozip, but I’m 
not confident that I would get better cuts that I did on the window 
opening (operator error, I freely admit).


Dremel (among others) makes a mini circular saw that looks almost 
ideal for making shallow, straight cuts. But corners might be a problem.


A vibrating multi-tool (I still think of it as a Fein tool) seems like 
a real possibility, plus having a lot of uses on other projects. But 
I’m not sure how well it will cut fiberglass.


You guys are the experts. What tool should I buy (or borrow)?

Rick Brass

*Imzadi *C 38 mk 2

*la Belle Aurore *C 25 mk1

Washington, NC



___

This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to 
make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray

All Contributions are greatly appreciated!


___

This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to 
make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray

All Contributions are greatly appreciated!

Re: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

[ALAN BERGEN via CnC-List]

I recently made ceiling panels out of FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic)
using a saber saw with a fine tooth blade. The blade will be ruined by the
time you're finished, but blades are cheap.  You can touch up the cut with
sandpaper.  There are router bits for laminate, but I think they're for
beveling the edge of the laminate,

Alan Bergen
35 Mk III Thirsty
Rose City YC
Portland. OR

On Sat, Apr 8, 2017 at 8:58 PM, Rick Brass via CnC-List <
cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:

> As background, I installed an opening port on Imzadi to replace a fixed
> aluminum framed portlight, and it didn’t go to my expectations. I had to
> expand the existing opening by a small margin, and decided that I could use
> my handy dandy Dremel tool to cut the fiberglass laminate. But the cut I
> got was far from smooth and straight. So I decided I’d put off installing
> the other three ports until I figured out a better way of doing it.
>
>
>
> I have three current projects that will require me to cut laminate:
> additional opening ports, removing the inner skin on the cockpit locker
> covers so I can replace rotted core, and making a propane locker. So my
> question is: What would be the best tool for getting smooth straight cuts
> in fiberglass laminate?
>
>
>
> A friend in the boat repair business will loan me his Rotozip, but I’m not
> confident that I would get better cuts that I did on the window opening
> (operator error, I freely admit).
>
>
>
> Dremel (among others) makes a mini circular saw that looks almost ideal
> for making shallow, straight cuts. But corners might be a problem.
>
>
>
> A vibrating multi-tool (I still think of it as a Fein tool) seems like a
> real possibility, plus having a lot of uses on other projects. But I’m not
> sure how well it will cut fiberglass.
>
>
>
> You guys are the experts. What tool should I buy (or borrow)?
>
>
>
> Rick Brass
>
> *Imzadi  *C 38 mk 2
>
> *la Belle Aurore *C 25 mk1
>
> Washington, NC
>
>
>
> ___
>
> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you
> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.
> paypal.me_stumurray=DwICAg=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN
> 0H8p7CSfnc_gI=9w3G7Cf8YfQnrjmtuNxwDJYr3JMv9f
> 1pAfgAJ9xXYQQ=-FqPHQoenzWOM-wiezGuLlNYMkB_uD-gAlhoxsmYJ60=Ft8xUqiB_-
> GIF1XqVIPfJyYCK89bxAe_Uwxen3JgDKY=
>
> All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
>
>


-- 
Alan Bergen
35 Mk III Thirsty
Rose City YC
Portland, OR
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Re: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

[Jim Watts via CnC-List]

For enlarging an existing hole, either a router running against a guide, or
my favourite, a 2" sanding drum chucked in a drill. With 80 grit sleeves it
will cut scary quick, with 120 grit you get fast and controlled grinding
without chipping the gel coat. A shop vac is very handy to catch the debris
otherwise it gets everywhere.

Jim Watts
Paradigm Shift
C 35 Mk III
Victoria, BC

On 8 April 2017 at 21:07, svpegasus38 via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
wrote:

> A friend in the plastic/fibreglass industry uses tools for cutting ceramic
> tile. I tried them and they work great. Just go slow so as not to over heat
> the cutting edge.
>
>
>
> Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
> Doug Mountjoy
> POYC
> Pegasus
> Lf38
>
>  Original message 
> From: Rick Brass via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
> Date: 4/8/17 20:58 (GMT-08:00)
> To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com
> Cc: Rick Brass <rickbr...@earthlink.net>
> Subject: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass
>
> As background, I installed an opening port on Imzadi to replace a fixed
> aluminum framed portlight, and it didn’t go to my expectations. I had to
> expand the existing opening by a small margin, and decided that I could use
> my handy dandy Dremel tool to cut the fiberglass laminate. But the cut I
> got was far from smooth and straight. So I decided I’d put off installing
> the other three ports until I figured out a better way of doing it.
>
>
>
> I have three current projects that will require me to cut laminate:
> additional opening ports, removing the inner skin on the cockpit locker
> covers so I can replace rotted core, and making a propane locker. So my
> question is: What would be the best tool for getting smooth straight cuts
> in fiberglass laminate?
>
>
>
> A friend in the boat repair business will loan me his Rotozip, but I’m not
> confident that I would get better cuts that I did on the window opening
> (operator error, I freely admit).
>
>
>
> Dremel (among others) makes a mini circular saw that looks almost ideal
> for making shallow, straight cuts. But corners might be a problem.
>
>
>
> A vibrating multi-tool (I still think of it as a Fein tool) seems like a
> real possibility, plus having a lot of uses on other projects. But I’m not
> sure how well it will cut fiberglass.
>
>
>
> You guys are the experts. What tool should I buy (or borrow)?
>
>
>
> Rick Brass
>
> *Imzadi  *C 38 mk 2
>
> *la Belle Aurore *C 25 mk1
>
> Washington, NC
>
>
>
> ___
>
> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you
> wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
>
> All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
>
>
___

This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to 
make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray

All Contributions are greatly appreciated!

Re: Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

[svpegasus38 via CnC-List]

A friend in the plastic/fibreglass industry uses tools for cutting ceramic 
tile. I tried them and they work great. Just go slow so as not to over heat the 
cutting edge. 


Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE DeviceDoug Mountjoy POYC Pegasus Lf38 
 Original message From: Rick Brass via CnC-List 
<cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Date: 4/8/17  20:58  (GMT-08:00) To: 
cnc-list@cnc-list.com Cc: Rick Brass <rickbr...@earthlink.net> Subject: 
Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass 
As background, I installed an opening port on Imzadi to replace a fixed 
aluminum framed portlight, and it didn’t go to my expectations. I had to expand 
the existing opening by a small margin, and decided that I could use my handy 
dandy Dremel tool to cut the fiberglass laminate. But the cut I got was far 
from smooth and straight. So I decided I’d put off installing the other three 
ports until I figured out a better way of doing it. I have three current 
projects that will require me to cut laminate: additional opening ports, 
removing the inner skin on the cockpit locker covers so I can replace rotted 
core, and making a propane locker. So my question is: What would be the best 
tool for getting smooth straight cuts in fiberglass laminate? A friend in the 
boat repair business will loan me his Rotozip, but I’m not confident that I 
would get better cuts that I did on the window opening (operator error, I 
freely admit). Dremel (among others) makes a mini circular saw that looks 
almost ideal for making shallow, straight cuts. But corners might be a problem. 
A vibrating multi-tool (I still think of it as a Fein tool) seems like a real 
possibility, plus having a lot of uses on other projects. But I’m not sure how 
well it will cut fiberglass. You guys are the experts. What tool should I buy 
(or borrow)? Rick BrassImzadi  C 38 mk 2la Belle Aurore C 25 mk1Washington, 
NC ___

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Stus-List Advise on cutting fiberglass

[Rick Brass via CnC-List]

As background, I installed an opening port on Imzadi to replace a fixed
aluminum framed portlight, and it didn't go to my expectations. I had to
expand the existing opening by a small margin, and decided that I could use
my handy dandy Dremel tool to cut the fiberglass laminate. But the cut I got
was far from smooth and straight. So I decided I'd put off installing the
other three ports until I figured out a better way of doing it.

 

I have three current projects that will require me to cut laminate:
additional opening ports, removing the inner skin on the cockpit locker
covers so I can replace rotted core, and making a propane locker. So my
question is: What would be the best tool for getting smooth straight cuts in
fiberglass laminate?

 

A friend in the boat repair business will loan me his Rotozip, but I'm not
confident that I would get better cuts that I did on the window opening
(operator error, I freely admit).

 

Dremel (among others) makes a mini circular saw that looks almost ideal for
making shallow, straight cuts. But corners might be a problem.

 

A vibrating multi-tool (I still think of it as a Fein tool) seems like a
real possibility, plus having a lot of uses on other projects. But I'm not
sure how well it will cut fiberglass.

 

You guys are the experts. What tool should I buy (or borrow)?

 

Rick Brass

Imzadi  C 38 mk 2

la Belle Aurore C 25 mk1

Washington, NC

 

___

This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to 
make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to:  
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray

All Contributions are greatly appreciated!