Best Method for Cutting Fiberglass

[salmonee]

What do folks use to cut a hole on a fiberglass boat for mounting stuff?

 

[lowkee]

Re: Best Method for Cutting Fiberglass

Anything you use to cut wood. A hole saw for perfect circles, a jigsaw for weird curves, a skil saw to cut the boat into little pieces for the junk yard

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Best Method for Cutting Fiberglass

I agree with lowkee except for one thing. For the scrapper I would use a chainsaw.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Best Method for Cutting Fiberglass

I use a drill for pilot holes, then either a rotozip for small or odd holes or an air powered body saw for more complicated ones.

You could also use an electric jigsaw with the appropriate blade.

Erik

 

[5thFish]

Re: Best Method for Cutting Fiberglass

I second the rotozip with the hole cutting guide. I also tap off the cutting area with masking tape. It gives a nicer cut and prevents splintering.

 

[berry79]

Re: Best Method for Cutting Fiberglass

Not trying to thread hijack, but what bits do you guys use in the rotozip? After reading this earlier this week I went to home depot and bought one along with the so called contractor grade bits that state for fiberglass on them. They cut extreamly slow and broke every few minutes and I wasn't really putting pressure on it either. If I had to guess they broke because of the extreme heat, you could see the blueing all over the bit.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Best Method for Cutting Fiberglass

Not trying to thread hijack, but what bits do you guys use in the rotozip? After reading this earlier this week I went to home depot and bought one along with the so called contractor grade bits that state for fiberglass on them. They cut extreamly slow and broke every few minutes and I wasn't really putting pressure on it either. If I had to guess they broke because of the extreme heat, you could see the blueing all over the bit.

You have to work a rotozip very slowly....

I just use drywall bits cause its what my dad had in the box... I was able to cut out the gauge holes in my dash through the fiberglass and 3/4" plywood no problem... Also through just plain glass on the cap for the bow light and stern light holes... I broke one bit in the process when i tried to force it to go too fast.

If you are burning the bit up its most likely because too much force is being applied. You'll go through a ton of bits fast like that

Good luck

 

[ScottinAZ]

Re: Best Method for Cutting Fiberglass

I used an angle die grinder with a 1/4 inch carbide burr in it. goes through glass like a hot knife through butter

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Best Method for Cutting Fiberglass

Taping over the area with masking tape and securing an operating vacuum beside the hole(or have someone hold it) will prevent splintering and keep the nasty, itchy glass dust to a minimium.