I successfully cut G10 blocks

C

Chris Meyer

Joined
Aug 15, 2005
Messages
1,297
Greetings everyone,

A few weeks ago I started a thread asking for advice on how to cut G10. I had several hunks of mint green G10 that I got from Canmanstan :thumbup: on eBay (who happens to be on the forum too). The largest pieces were about 12” x 3” x 2”. I had tried to cut them with a metal cutting band saw, but it wouldn’t cut straight. I tried a wood cutting band saw blade, and the G10 immediately removed the saw teeth. I also tried a carbon steel blade on my table saw, but that quickly lost its teeth too.

Here is what I started with. You can see the places where I made failed attempts to cut the material.
G10-blocks-before-cutting.jpg

I received various suggestions on how to cut my G10, which led me to conclude that my best bet would be to obtain a diamond circular saw blade, so that I could cut the stuff on my table saw. I purchased a MK-99 wet/dry turbo diamond blade a couple of weeks ago, but just got a chance to try it tonight.

This is the saw blade.
MK99-Diamond-blade.jpg


Here are the tools I used, and the G10 I cut. Not shown is my shop vac hooked up to the saw’s exhaust port.
Cutting-supplies.jpg

Powermatic PM2000 Tablesaw​

I bought the blade through Amazon, from a business called Uncle Joe’s. I paid $27.91, shipping included, but it looks like he’s charging a little more right now. He shipped the blade out promptly, so I have no complaints.

I am happy to report that the turbo diamond blade worked great! It zipped right through my blocks of G10, without the sparks and smoke I encountered when I tried a carbon steel blade. The cuts were pretty smooth, although I did find the blade flexed a bit. I would speculate that this is likely due to the mounting system of the blade. It had a diamond shaped hole in it, with an adapter ring in the middle to fit a 5/8” arbor.

Here’s an image of one of my first cuts.
Successful-cut.jpg


You can see were I paused the piece as it passed by the blade.
Cut-G10.jpg


After I a little practice with the blade, my cuts did get smoother.
Finished-cuts.jpg

I would like to point out that, even with my shop vac hooked up to the saw’s dust port, there still ended up being quite a bit of G10 dust being spewed about. If you try my method, please be sure to wear a mask or respirator (plus eye protection of course). I had a mask, but I forgot to put it on when I started. I made two passes through the G10 before getting it on, and even that was enough to give me a touch of a sore throat and a cough later.

You can see how much dust I got on just my arm. Imagine if you breathed in all that crap? :eek:
Dust-on-right-arm.jpg


Here’s the results of about 45 minutes of cutting (including all the measuring, etc.) I reduced my chunks of G10 to more manageable sizes, but created a boatload of dust.
Aftermath-of-cutting.jpg

The bottom line is that you can cut blocks of G10 on a tablesaw with a rather inexpensive turbo diamond saw. It makes a bit of a mess (probably no worse than anything else we cut), but cuts quite easily.
 
Last edited:
neat.

you can get blade stiffeners that are like BIG (like 6" across) and they mate to the blade on each side. They really reduce blade flex.

Has anyone cut this stuff with a rock wetsaw? might be a way to safely eliminate the toxic dust 9built in water sprayer to wet the blade and material.
 
My first reaction to this thread is NICE TABLESAW! :D

Second, is if you can shave hair off that arm you will automatically be considered a master cutter ;)

Third... it seems like a real PITA... lol... but do-able... and I really appreciate you sharing what you found.

Okay... maybe I didn't order those right, but it sounded good ;)

Thanks Chris :) :thumbup:
 
Thanks Nick,
You know, when I was young and in good shape like you, I didn't have so much hair. Wait until you hit your 40's and see what happens to you...:p
 
I have only used a mini hack saw and a lot of elbow grease. I really need some power tools.
 
I have used this method at work and it saves on the tablesaw blades....Works reasonably well...I have also used a diamond blade on the bandsaw FWIW as well.

HTH
 
Get that dust out of yer shop ASAP - some of it's prolly settled on the shelving, walls etc. Wait for a rainy day and blow it outside with an air compressor, rain will bring it down and wash it away . Wear a breathing mask.

When you shape the handles, round bastard hand file is yer best friend - it will remove it in a hurry, controlled, w/o getting it airborne :)
 
Looks great.

That PM2000 is the king of table saws, Do you have the 3hp or the 5hp? did it bog down?
 
Dang, I got on here to make this exact same post, and you beat me to it. Dito, everything you said...
 
J-siah said:
Do you have the 3hp or the 5hp? did it bog down?
Click to expand...
I have the 3hp model. It didn't bog down at all. The diamond blade zipped right through the stuff.

I already cleaned up all the dust, and wore my mask while doing so. I vacuumed most of the crud up with my shop vac, the rest I wet down and wiped up.
 
Chris, Good job! cutting this g-10 I cannot wait to see the knives you are going to make with this stuff. You guys should also check the Sears store hardware department for these diamond blades most of the mall based stores should have them in stock.
 
pbmonkey said:
You guys should also check the Sears store hardware department for these diamond blades most of the mall based stores should have them in stock.
Click to expand...
I tried both my local Sears stores, but neither of them had 10" diamond blades in stock. Home Despot did have some fancier ones, but they wanted something like $140 a piece.
 
Wet saw also works excellent with very little to no burning and no DUST whatsoever. Blade stiffners will also help reduce blade flex on thinner rim blades. I use a very expensive very heavily coated diamond dry cutting saw with dust collection to the saw and also to the cutline. Definately wear a dust mask or better. And a good powerful table saw is also needed to cut through large chunks of G10 like cris did.
 
(try cutting the g 10 about 1/4 inch at a time ). turbo blades are not as good as they should be but will do the job as long as you dont push it.
i use diamond blades all the time. Segmented are the best type.
when you get into these you want lazer welded and the higher the diamond content the better the blade.the steel is about twice as good as turbo's.and last 4 times as long. they clean out the dust faster and don't get hot and wabble
vern
 
find a bricklayer and see if he will cut you some the size you want.
with a masonry saw and diamond blade you can cut a piece for both sides
in about 30 sec. 1 1/2 x 5
he can set his gage for the size you want and they will be straight and not burnt.
vern :D
 
Bushman5 said:
neat.

...Has anyone cut this stuff with a rock wetsaw? might be a way to safely eliminate the toxic dust 9built in water sprayer to wet the blade and material.
Click to expand...

Yes, I cut quite a bit in fact. I use 2 different wet tile saws to cut micarta and it's just the ticket.
 
Wet saw is definately the best way to go. No dust at all, and no burning hardly at all. I cut it all dry but i wear a mask and alot of dust collection and power. I ought to invest in a bigger wet saw myself. Right now i only cut paticular items that like to burn on my dry saw on the wet saw. Its a little harbor freight tile cutting wet saw. But it works great up to 1 1/2 inch thick, and NO DUST:thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top