Mother of Pearl Cutting

dhannon

dhannon

Joined
May 9, 2000
Messages
143
I came across a find for a large shell of mother of pearl at an auction recently. Excellent deal, IF I can cut the stuff. The shell is one half, quite nearly flat and around 10" x 8" x over 1/4" thick in many places. Anyone know how to cut this stuff? My first thought is a tile cutter, but would need to rent one of these. Can I use my normal shop equipment?

Thanks for the help.

Dan
 
Having never handled a piece that large, or very much overall, I'm not an expert. However I would think a bandsaw with a good blade on it would work just fine. I use my metal bandsaw at fastest spees ( 180 SFPM - I think, have to check that )with a fine tooth fresh blade. As always I'm open to correction. Good luck, make sure you wear a mask regardless -- Charles
 
Never worked with the stuff personally, but a bandsaw would probably be a bit too strong. What I've gathered from various guitar builders (who often use MoP for neck inlays, which can get VERY detailed), MoP is really REALLY brittle. Anything I've ever read on working with it says to use a brand new (read: SHARP) jewler's saw. Like I said, I've never worked with it personally but guitar builders far better than me do it all with jewler's saws. :D
 
cut it with a wet tile saw , wear resperator , take your time it is very brittle , avoid heat , should go ok ,i have cut "lot's" the dust from it is worse than stabilized wood and really get's all over everything . Good Luck.:)
 
Here is a link to the stewart macdonald website to their pearl cutting saws and blades. Only thing I have ever heard of for cutting MP.
It is a luthier supply company. They even have 12000 grit micro mesh sandpaper. :eek: :D
STEWMAC Pearl saw
 
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