Composite Cutting 101

This is a quick summary of the Fibre Glast article on how to properly cutting composites.

Incorrectly cutting composites can cause

• Dulled blades

• Melted composites

  • Resin and cut fibers carry away relatively little heat – this increases chances of melting

• If using the wrong type of bit

  • Prone to wear prematurely and introduce fraying or chipping along laminate edges

Cutting instructions

• When cutting tubes or rods with a rotary tool, its recommend making cuts from the top down

• Abrasive or grit-style cutoff wheels or drums, made from diamond or tungsten carbide are best for cutting

• Diamond is recommended bc hardest natural material

• The faster you can cut a composite, the better since less melting

  • PermaGrit is recommended due to this bc low grit so less heat gen since faster cut

    • I think this brand is only available in england so shipping gets expensive

Finishing cuts

• Straighten/clean up edges using a sanding block

• Apply a thin layer of epoxy to the cut and sanded edge to preserve it

  • Use a small brush or lint free cloth to apply