Cutting / Sanding G10

[cbwx34]

I have looked thru various forums, but can't seem to find any good info on cutting / sanding G10. I have a couple of questions....

I'm looking at buying a bandsaw, and wondered if anyone had any recommendations. So far, all I've read is.... wood blades wear out too fast..... metal bandsaws cut too slow. I'm looking at the 'diamond bandsaw' from Harbor Freight (if it ever goes on sale again). Anyone have any experience with it? Any other recommendations?

My 2nd question is finishing G10. The only tip I found was to sand w/ 220 grit and do not buff. This looked scratched to me. So, any suggestions in this area? Also is there a way of putting a 'rougher' surface on it (probably by hand) for better grip?

Thanks in advance

cbw

 

[Chiro75]

No matter what you do with G-10, you need to be wearing a respirator (not a little dust mask) and cleaning up the dust real well. That's glass, and it's tiny, and when (not if) it gets in your lungs it will cause scar tissue to form. Not a real fun way to spend the rest of your life! As far as cutting it, you can use a regular hacksaw. That's what I do. I use bimetal blades in it. Metal cutting bandsaws will also cut it. It cuts very easily with hacksaws, though, and although I don't own a bandsaw yet I assume it cuts just as easily with one.

When I've finished G-10 to 220 grit it has a very nice finish. It shouldn't be scratched up looking at all. Use wet-dry sandpaper and use water and get it nice and wet. The knife pictured below has a 220 grit finish.

For texture, your best bet is sandblasting or beadblasting. You can also buy pre-textured G-10, like what shows up on most production folders. You slap it on, tear the top layer off, round thee edges, and voila! The only downside to that stuff is that the surface is flat. For other ideas, take a look at Strider knives, Jens Ansø's stuff and Eric Blair's stuff and you'll see lots of ideas for various textures to add grip to G-10.

 

[cbwx34]

Cool... thanks for the info.