quick question about micarta

Yes sir. Sanded, filed, rasped, ground, cut, or just about anything else is fair game. Just wear a good respirator if you're grinding (nasty fumes when ground), and a p100 dust mask if sanding/filing.

--nathan
 
Micarta is tough stuff, and can take a while to shape by hand. It's kind of hard on saw blades, etc. This isn't really a bad thing; it allows you work steady but slow, and gives you an idea how durable it is.

+1 on protecting your lungs, even when using hand-tools. Shaping micarta tends to produce lots of very fine dust; you do not want to breathe that stuff.

To my mind, a decent respirator and goggles or face-mask are among the first things a prospective maker should buy. I have coughed/sneezed up a lot of nasty sh!t, wiped plenty of steel and other dust off my face, and generally wish I would have heeded my own advice years ago. Don't be a cheapskate when it comes to your lifespan! You can get a decent respirator and full face-shield for under $50.
 
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Nope, it's got the same amount of dust and resin its just a fiberglass material instead of cloth. Probably the g10 is worse on your lungs. Even working with good exotic woods you want to use a respirator, not a cheap dust mask. $30 very well spent.

Shaping does eat belts a little faster and you want to make sure you have a good belt especially for lighter colors. Otherwise the friction from a dull belt will just heat up and scorch the material.

I've got some shaped handles towards the bottom here
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=625827
 
I'll agree with that. G10, from my limited experience with it, grinds much easier than micarta. On the other hand, I found it much tougher to cut with a bandsaw. :confused:

--nathan
 
Great timing on this thread! I'm a first timer with micarta (natural colored linen) here as well...sounds like I could have picked something easier to work with, from what I'm seeing! When I was cutting it on my bandsaw, I thought it was going to cut a bit easier than it did, but it wasn't terrible. It drilled like a dream though! I'll have to see how it goes next time I get into the shop.
Thanks for the info guys ! :thumbup: -Matt-
 
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