Thread: 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.
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.

I learned how to cut it the easy way

I asked my Brother Max...

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

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?

+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

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...

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

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I learned how to cut it the easy way

I asked my Brother Max...

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???

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 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.

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.

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...

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.