How cut out fiberglass?

[bds85466]

Hi all,

I'm planning on cutting out the tops of my engine mounts to inspect the rot thats in there and possibly dig most out. Is it worth trying to keep the sidewalls in tact for the inspection?

What should I use to cut the glass top off? Cut-off wheel on an angle grinder? Sawzall? Use a hole saw first?

I'll eventually be re glassing the tops, for the engine mounts. I'm guessing it is imperative that I take measurements to get them back in the same elevation?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How cut out fiberglass?

Hey BDS why did you start a NEW thread on the same subject? Just askin???

 

[bds85466]

Re: How cut out fiberglass?

Hey BDS why did you start a NEW thread on the same subject? Just askin???

Because you were the only one responding to the last one...only joking. I don't know, seems like a new topic...but I'll keep going in the other one instead

 

[DALLEN7]

Re: How cut out fiberglass?

If you have access to air i just used a die grinder with a cut off wheel. i used it to cut around the perimeter of my floor and transom.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: How cut out fiberglass?

http://www.harborfreight.com/variable-speed-multifunction-power-tool-67537.html

Best money I ever spent. pay the 9 bucks for the warantee. They will take it back no matter what happens. Just get the blades that are spot welded together and stay away from the riveted ones. I beat the hell out of this thing and it just keeps on ticking...

 

[eavega]

Re: How cut out fiberglass?

http://www.harborfreight.com/variable-speed-multifunction-power-tool-67537.html

Best money I ever spent. pay the 9 bucks for the warantee. They will take it back no matter what happens. Just get the blades that are spot welded together and stay away from the riveted ones. I beat the hell out of this thing and it just keeps on ticking...

+1. I got the cheaper version about a year ago (slower blade speed, not variable, but half the cost). I've used it to cut wood, fiberglass, drywall, and other assorted material. I've already worn out one half-moon blade and two of the straight blades. On the boat, It makes easy work of any small lips like old fiberglass tabbing with only a very small risk of cutting something you don't want to cut. You can make very straight plunge cuts in plywood, and the scraper blade was great for removing old adhesive left over from the hideous carpeting the previous owner had installed. The sanding head is an added bonus, as it easily handles spot-sanding, even in corners.

-E

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: How cut out fiberglass?

http://www.harborfreight.com/variable-speed-multifunction-power-tool-67537.html

Best money I ever spent. pay the 9 bucks for the warantee. They will take it back no matter what happens. Just get the blades that are spot welded together and stay away from the riveted ones. I beat the hell out of this thing and it just keeps on ticking...

I never used one, Thought about buying one many times.
For all my fiberglass work, I just used a Tool Shop angle grinder. Bought it at Menards for like 10 bucks, Tears though all the glass using the standard metal disc that comes with it.

For smoothing, I bought the flexable grinding wheels. No backer just he pads, Those cost like 50 cents each and come in 36 and 50 grit.

 

[bds85466]

Re: How cut out fiberglass?

If you have access to air i just used a die grinder with a cut off wheel. i used it to cut around the perimeter of my floor and transom.

No access to air.

I do have access to both an angle grinder/cutoff wheels or a sawzall. I basically have fiberglass shells for engine mounts at the moment. I wanted to cut out the top to see what remains!

Not a perfect ace with either, though I worked r&d for 3M coated abraisives cutoff wheels -- had lots of hands on testing with those on METAL...no fiberglass stringers though.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: How cut out fiberglass?

I'd stick with the angle grinder instead of using a sawzall. You'll get better control of depth of the cut, with less of a risk of cutting anything hidden underneath the 'glass. When you're trying to make a shallow cut in a hard surface with a sawzall, the blades tend to just bounce around and chew things up.