What do you guys use to cut G10?

C

Chris Meyer

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

A while back I bought some big chunks of light green G10 from a guy on eBay. (Something like this.) I have three pieces, the largest being 12”x3”x2.125”. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to cut this stuff into knife handle sized pieces.

I tried to cut it on my vertical/horizontal metal cutting band saw. It will cut, but it is very slow going and I can’t keep the blade from flexing. I end up with a crooked surface that I have to flatten out with an end mill.

After the metal cutting band saw didn’t pan out, I tried my 3hp Jet 18” wood cutting band saw. I removed most of the band saw teeth in just a couple of minutes.

Then I decided that perhaps I could cut it with my 3hp Powermatic table saw. I didn’t want to ruin my good carbide saw blade, so I bought an inexpensive (non carbide tipped) blade at Sears. I would have been happy with slicing one ½” piece off of the side of one of the blocks of G10. Instead, the blade lasted only about halfway through the cut. Sparks were coming off of the G10 and it made so much smoke that I thought I had a fire in my saw’s exhaust port. This G10 stuff is some tough crap!

What would you guys recommend to cut it with? I have a chop saw with a (12”?) cut-off wheel, but I’m guessing that would melt the G10, as it turns steel red hot. About the only other thing I can think of is to buy a diamond blade for my table saw. However, it’s a rather expensive saw and I don’t want to risk ruining it. I guess I could send the G10 out to be cut, but that would pretty much defeat the purpose of buying it cheap on eBay. Any practical solutions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.:confused:
 
well i have the same problem. first i used a angle grinder--lots of smoke but did the trick,however, it was very traumatic for me. next i just got a dewalt portand.. i put it on 80 rpm and just gave it a try tonight--so far it works pretty good. its difficult but doable. no smoke like before and a pretty even cut. i was cutting a 2"thick piece. how much did you pay for ur piece of g-10 if you dont mind telling. thanks
 
i'd try metal cutting blades on a chop saw or an angle grinder. It sounds like G10 is similar to Chem Grating we use for the decks on fishing boats.
 
marekz said:
How much did you pay for ur piece of g-10 if you dont mind telling. thanks
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Thanks for the reply; at least I'm not the only one with this problem. It looks like I paid canmanstan $32.94 (shipping included) for three pieces, each about 3” x 2.125”, with a total length of about 2.5 feet.
 
I use my table saw for both G-10 and mikarta. It cuts it fine. Mine is heavy and powerful though. (3 hp grizzly cabinet saw) I use cheap Home Depot thin kerf blades on these materials so I can trash them without crying about an expensive blade.
 
I'm sending some to my waterjet guy. :D

(he doesn't know it yet...but I know he can do it)




I usually cut the stuff on a metal-cutting bandsaw...no problem. But I've only ever cut up 1/4" thick stuff.

I don't think I'd try to split it....have to be nuts to do that. :D

Grab an eager high-school kid wanting to learn about knives...put him on the bandsaw all day....:foot:




I do think the table saw idea is the best one - thin kerf blade.


Dan
 
Got some of the same stuff, been sitting for over a year. Bought it from the same guy and he told me to use a concrete cutting blade !!!!! guess that is why it has been sitting for a year !!! Don't know that I will use it for knife handles. Probably too tough to sand.
 
charlieridge said:
Got some of the same stuff, been sitting for over a year. Bought it from the same guy and he told me to use a concrete cutting blade !!!!! guess that is why it has been sitting for a year !!! Don't know that I will use it for knife handles. Probably too tough to sand.
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These guys are using it with a great deal of success and I have been basically giving it away for shipping, sure I get some money above shipping, but have a lot of time involved going to dump site and digging it out, plus preparation for shipment.

Ask either Knifehead, Matt Bailey or Keith Johnson how they do it.

James Todd
 
charlieridge said:
Bought it from the same guy and he told me to use a concrete cutting blade !
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I believe that the diamond cutting circular saw blades are meant to be used for cutting brick and concrete. Looks like that will be the only real viable way to go. I'll pick up a diamond blade and let you guys know how I make out.

Something like this
VulcanToolsDiamondBladeContinuousRimSawBlade-934161OR.jpg

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By the way, when I cut (or attempt to cut) stuff like this, I wear my 3M/Racal Breathe Easy PAPR. It's a little cumbersome to get on, but it works great and I don't have to worry about breathing in any crap.


mediawebserver
mediawebserver

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G-10 is effectively cut with a composite cutting band saw blade. I'm not sure exactly the blade is called, but it has teeth that look like large carbide particles. There are thousands of custom band saw places out there, and prices are usually pretty reasonable for these blades. I think my employer pays about 50.00 each for our 5/8 x 190'' blades.
 
After Jim Todd sent me some of his green G-10, the first thing I did was ruin my son's new wood bandsaw blade. Then I moved to his carbide wood chop saw and dulled that blade too. :o
The metal cutting bandsaw worked fine with no noticable dulling of the $8.00 Olson blade. I have access to a tile saw, so I'll have to try that next.
 
I have cut it with a wet cut tile saw and a HF porta band. The tile saw is the way to go, no dust and it is faster than the porta band.

I contacted David at Great Lakes Water Jet and he said he does not recommend cutting it as the water jet will cause it to swell.
 
you might try a solid surface or graphite saw blade, I think theyre called a thin cross cut saw or fine cross cut saw.
 
Does anyone have a point of contact for Jim?....I might like to buy some of the stuff as well.

Brad
 
I work in high tec :rolleyes:


Our circuit boards are G-10, the model shop won't touch them anymore, it trashes drill bits, CNC bits, blades and anything else that get's near it.

We've been sending everything out to a water jet place,


it's almost the same technology my dentist wants to use on my teeth :eek:
 
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