Cuting Micarta

longbeachguy

longbeachguy

Joined
Oct 11, 2005
Messages
2,533
Hello:

This is probably my first post in this subforum. Thanks in advance for any assistance with my question.

Also, I apologize if this topic has been done to death as it seems pretty basic, but the search function isn't working for me.

Real quick: How do you guys cut Micarta? I'm trying to make my first set of Micarta handle slabs and I'me having a devil of a time cutting it to rough shape. I'm using my RotoZip cut out tool. It has plenty of power but none of the bits I've tried are up to the task. The wood cutting bits just break, although they do cut the material for about three seconds. The carbide tile cutting bit just doesn't "cut it" so to speak, and works its way out of the chuck no matter how much I tighten it. I'm working with 1/4" canvas Micarta by the way.

I suppose I could cut rectangular blanks on my table saw and just grind them down to shape, but I'd really like to avoid generating to much of that horrible dust, which I'm sure is toxic.

Also, I assume I should be using a respirator as opposed to a particle mask when cutting and grinding this stuff right? Is the dust in fact highly toxic?

I guess that was two questions and wasn't "real quick" after all. In any case, thanks for any assistance.
 
Yes you must wear a respirator rated for formaldehyde!! I forget the number for the 3m filter but you can google online and find it. The phenols in micarta are toxic, and I believe cumulative. Almost everything we use in knifemaking is toxic somehow or another so a good respirator with proper filters is a much.

http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=015712744162543624825:wygfshwacos&hl=en

The link is set up for knife search stuff

You can cut micarta with a hacksaw. I have not tried it on my bandsaw yet, but will soon.
 
Thanks very much you guys. Two responses and both my questions answered.

Thanks again. :thumbup:

Jim
 
Wood cutting bandsaw works better. Metal cutting bandsaw will work too but slower and less control. Wood cutting bandsaw is best IMHO.
 
Scroll saw with a heavy duty blade and slow feed rate works OK, push hard and it snaps the blade.
 
Metal cutting saw always worked fine for me. You can drill holes and then cut between them with a jeweler's saw, hacksaw, file or whatever. It machines easily, so you can just get a straight scale and grind it to shape also.
 
Jig saw, scroll saw, bandsaw will all work fine with the proper blade.
 
I used a scroll saw for a while until it broke on me. Then I got a portaband metal cutting bandsaw (harbor freight cheapie) and mounted it to a table. It cuts it like butter. A wood cutting bandsaw works well on micarta, but will dull out quickly on G10, where the bi-metal blades on the metal cutting bandsaw do a fine job cutting even G10, though it goes slowly in thicker stock.

Oh, and :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: on the respirator. Bad stuff to build in your lungs. I've learned my lesson the hard way on that stuff. Get a good multi gas/vapor/oranic cartridge with a p100 pre filter and you'll be covered with almost anything you can think of used in knife making. I got my filters at approvedgasmasks.com.

--nathan
 
Coping saw if you want it done on the cheap by hand. It's pretty easy, get some blades for cutting copper pipe and you'll be done in about 10 minutes. Hacksaw blades just jam up, specially with g-10. They also dont have enough throat
 
I just use a wood cutting band saw or coping saw. Make sure your blade is sharp.

For rough shaping, I use a sharp 80grit belt at a slower speed, I found that it doesn't clog the belt as fast and helps to prevent burning. I do final shaping with files and sand paper.

Black canvas Micarta is one of my favorites.

I made a small paring knife using linen Micarta. I think I only went up to 320 or 400 grit. The sand paper must have been dull because it didn't cut the linen fibers. Resulting in a band blast like finish which is nice and grippy. This was one of those things I did not intentionally do, but liked the results.

ric
 
I cut some G10 last night with a hacksaw (bi-metal blade) and a coping saw with no drama.
 
what about a compound miter saw? Has anyone tried that? I do not cut much so I may just try a coping saw, but I can pick up a miter saw for cheap at harbor freight and thought it may be worth a try. The good thing about doing it by hand is that it doesn't spread as much of the powder everywhere too.
 
Slight deviation:

For those of you who are using a scroll saw, is this because you don't have a band saw? I'm currently using a scroll saw because I don't have a band saw yet, and it's less than desirable. It works ok for wood less than .25" thick; but anything thicker, and it's a fight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top