G10 Help

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06-22-2011, 01:18 AM
Str8Shooter

G10 Help

Good lord!!! I've got three pieces of G10 (black and OD green, Camo, and and Multi cam)3/8x10.5x5 and this stuff cant be cut!!!!! I've tried a coping saw, dremmel tool cutting blades etc.. Anyone interested in splitting the scales that come out of it if you do the cutting? I'll pay for shipping. I'm really bummed. This stuff is expensive and I don't want to ruin it or have it go to waste. The colors would make excellent scales. I've measured it out and with the right tools to cut it we can get three sets of 6x1.8 sections for three scales per board. :banghead::cry::gth
I have to admit I got in over my head here and really need help. I've looked around the area and can't find anywhere that I could go pay to use their woodworking equipment.... Nobody I know does cabinet/woodworking.
06-22-2011, 02:29 AM
gssixgun

I learned how to cut it the easy way :)

I asked my Brother Max... :rofl2:

Use a metal cutting blade, easy peasy,,, This is also the reason I hate working with it, as I have to re-tool all my stuff from Wood/Acrylics to work the G-10
06-22-2011, 02:30 AM
dirtychrome

Yes it's dense, and to cut by hand would be tough. You should still be able to cut with the dremel. Just for kicks, I just cut some 1/8" with the the EZ Lock thin cut discs on a dremel and worked fine. Spritz with water during cut to help keep from getting too hot.

IMO sanding, is easier than cutting. NOT by hand though. Hopefully using belt sander or something?
06-22-2011, 02:43 AM
thewatermark

+1 to Walt and Glens advice. A metal cutting bandsaw would be ideal, or some metal cutting bandsaw/scrollsaw blades would work.
I HATE and LOATHE cutting G10 but love using it hahah ( actually sanding it is super easy)
I use a 3 inch scroll saw and use 25 TPI blades to cut out the scales. However I go extremely slow to make sure not to dull the blade prematurely and still go through about 4 blades per set of scales. It is a pain to work with but worth it in the end IMO

EDIT: Also I have talked to Brad (Undream) about cutting G10 and he uses a COping saw, so it is possible, I just dont have the muscles or patience for that hahah
06-22-2011, 03:16 AM
Str8Shooter

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtychrome

Yes it's dense, and to cut by hand would be tough. You should still be able to cut with the dremel. Just for kicks, I just cut some 1/8" with the the EZ Lock thin cut discs on a dremel and worked fine. Spritz with water during cut to help keep from getting too hot.

IMO sanding, is easier than cutting. NOT by hand though. Hopefully using belt sander or something?

Mine is 3/8. Half through the cut my disk was gone and it doesn't get through the whole thickness.... Yes electric sander.. not a belt but it should work...

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewatermark

+1 to Walt and Glens advice. A metal cutting bandsaw would be ideal, or some metal cutting bandsaw/scrollsaw blades would work.
I HATE and LOATHE cutting G10 but love using it hahah ( actually sanding it is super easy)
I use a 3 inch scroll saw and use 25 TPI blades to cut out the scales. However I go extremely slow to make sure not to dull the blade prematurely and still go through about 4 blades per set of scales. It is a pain to work with but worth it in the end IMO

EDIT: Also I have talked to Brad (Undream) about cutting G10 and he uses a COping saw, so it is possible, I just dont have the muscles or patience for that hahah

No access... bummer

Quote:

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I learned how to cut it the easy way :)

I asked my Brother Max... :rofl2:

Use a metal cutting blade, easy peasy,,, This is also the reason I hate working with it, as I have to re-tool all my stuff from Wood/Acrylics to work the G-10

If only I had a brother Max!!!
Hacksaw???
06-22-2011, 03:53 AM
Maximilian

I'm confused. Why did you buy 3/8" thick sheets? Are you trying to cut the 3/8" thickness in 3 x 1/8" or are you talking about cutting scale sets from the existing 3/8" sheet?
06-22-2011, 04:09 AM
mainaman

I have cut 1/8" G10 with coping saw it is not very easy but doable.
It will eat the saw easy.
CF is even worse IMHO.
06-22-2011, 04:35 AM
takedeadaim

I cut it very easily on my bandsaw with a 3/16" metal cutting blade on high speed. No muss no fuss, it makes a messs and the stuff is toxic as heck but I do love the look. Let me know if you need some cut out, I am sure we can work something out. I print my pattern out on paper then cut two blanks and rubber cement them together. The pattern gets rubber cemented on the blanks and I go to the saw and get two exact matching blanks with one cut. To get them to final size and rough shape them I use a combo of sanding drums in the drill press and a small phnumatic random orbit sander from Harbor Freight. Finish up with files, sandpaper down to 600 grit. If I want a shine I go to the buffer after that.
06-22-2011, 10:53 AM
Str8Shooter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximilian

I'm confused. Why did you buy 3/8" thick sheets? Are you trying to cut the 3/8" thickness in 3 x 1/8" or are you talking about cutting scale sets from the existing 3/8" sheet?

I ordered wrong...:banghead:
06-22-2011, 11:05 AM
Maxi

Oh man....I got to the bottom of this thread, and I laughed out loud and my heart sank simultaneously. I feel for you. I hate ordering things incorrectly....by accident of course...I don't think anyone orders incorrectly on purpose.

Bummer.
06-22-2011, 11:30 AM
Str8Shooter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxi

Oh man....I got to the bottom of this thread, and I laughed out loud and my heart sank simultaneously. I feel for you. I hate ordering things incorrectly....by accident of course...I don't think anyone orders incorrectly on purpose.

Bummer.

I've emailed them and I'll see if they will do a swap for the existing pieces that I did not touch for 1/8 stock.... USA Knifemakers Supply. Told them the differance can go to a restocking fee if they like.

Should I get 1/8 or 1/4 stock????
06-22-2011, 12:17 PM
Maximilian

1/8" and Tracy from knifemakers supply is usually very good about exchanging untouched stuff. Their customer service ranks very high on my list.
06-22-2011, 12:27 PM
str8fencer

I use G10 from .60 up to .90 and have no problem cutting the rough shape with a small cheap coping saw. I sand them to final shape with a sanding mandrel on a regular hand drill, then hand sand to polish. I don't have to replace blades very often either, will usually get 2-3 sets before I swap it. For easy comparison, that's up to just about 2mm, unlike 3/8 which is about 7mm (and therefore completely incomparable). I think you will find, when you get more manageable thicknesses in hand, that they are much more cooperative.
Best of luck.
06-22-2011, 04:08 PM
Undream

I too use a hand-coping saw for all G-10 rough cuts without issue. Just takes some elbow grease. Sure, 3/8 would be tougher.... but.,.. I think doable as str8fencer suggests.

Too bad about the mis-order -- I just ordered $35 worth of G-10, thinking WOW why is it so cheap... ordered all .012 thinking it was .12 :) On the bright side.. I just picked up all sorts of colorful liners. Haha. Decided not to send back.
06-22-2011, 04:14 PM
Str8Shooter

Just heard from Julie and she said we can work it out.. yay!!! Now that is customer service!!!
06-22-2011, 04:40 PM
Maximilian

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undream

On the bright side.. I just picked up all sorts of colorful liners. Haha. Decided not to send back.

make some guitar picks!
06-22-2011, 04:46 PM
Catrentshaving

I do it the easy way..picked up a diamond blade tile saw on the cheap..works like a darn :)
06-22-2011, 06:51 PM
gssixgun

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undream

I too use a hand-coping saw for all G-10 rough cuts without issue. Just takes some elbow grease. Sure, 3/8 would be tougher.... but.,.. I think doable as str8fencer suggests.

Too bad about the mis-order -- I just ordered $35 worth of G-10, thinking WOW why is it so cheap... ordered all .012 thinking it was .12 :) On the bright side.. I just picked up all sorts of colorful liners. Haha. Decided not to send back.

Yeah Phil keeps send that stuff as a sample, I guess I might have to try using it sooner or later :) I was thinking liners, wedge liners or maybe layered wedges... :D
06-28-2011, 03:28 AM
Adam G.

Hi Guys,
i worried a bit when reading this thread as i had just bought a bunch of G10 slabs in 1/8 and 1/4 for razor scales and knife handles. All for naught. i just used a coping saw to cut out four handle slabs from the 1/4 for a couple of knives and it was really no problem. So... if anyone else is worried, just give it a go. i reckon the slower speed of a handsaw may cause less issues than the high speed of a bandsaw. Anway, it took me nearly twice as long as cutting hardwood, which is to say still not long at all.
Regards,