Best ways to rip 2" fiberglass for narrower strips?

[insttech1]

I need to get it to 1" strips for kids bows.

I have a few ideas...most of which will likely end up in some manner of hospitalization...so I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks for your time!
Marc

[ROB TAYLOR]

I don't build bows...but I could see the potential in an abrasive wheel to cut the glass instead of a saw.  Maybe?
-Rob

[hickstick]

could you lay it between or on some sacrificial boards and band saw it (with an old blade)?

[d. ward]

Wow I don't know if it's the correct way or not,but the longer peaces I been cutting on a small ryobi band saw with a fine tooth blade.Marked a pencil line down the certer of the strip and hand feed it...seemed to work OK.I did not do it myself,but Dave used to put masking tape on both sides and then ran it thru the band saw??? bd

[Orion]

Fiberblass will play h... with a regular band saw blade, of course.  A normal steel blade will cut it, but will dull very quickly.  On glass, fewer teeth is better than more.  Also, it is a good idea to mask the cut line on the side the blade will exit.  Keeps the blade from ripping out splinters.

Instead of cutting the glass before you make the bows, why not glue up your materials two inches wide and then cut the entire thing down the center lengthwise?  Voila!  Two bows and a lot less work.  Good luck.

[shantam]

build one 2" wide kidbow.
and then rip it on a tablesaw into 2 1" kidbows

or rip the 2" glass on a table saw but with a diamand blade made to cut stone.
should cut it like butter.

shantam

[Archer1019]

The kids bow that I make are from a 2" wide pc of glass. I first mask the length that I want to cut in two (usually 48") and mask the entire width.  Mark the center line and cut it with my bench top bandsaw.  I tried scoring with a razor blade and then clamping between two boards and snapping the glass but that was a disaster and I do not recommend it.  The band saw I know works.

[insttech1]

OK thanks everyone!
I bought the extra tape to mask it...since the dog ate my last roll of high-temp tape from Bingham's...

Come to think of it, maybe I'll just throw the dog on the table saw and save myself some hassle...

I have also scored some with a razor blade with medium success...and I am really trying to not lose 1/8 of an inch in total width...so the table saw is out of the question.

Take Care,
Marc

[Canadabowyer]

Marc, try this on a scrap peice first.Cut it with a pair of utility or kitchen scissors.I have 2 inch black glass that I use as tip overlays and just scissor it down the middle. I've never done it on a long peice. The glass has grain like wood and just splits straight down the grain.  Bob

[insttech1]

Thanks Bob--not a bad idea!  I have scraps...

[Jason Jelinek]

I have split it using a razor blade making a number of passes down it.  You pretty much ruin the razor blade but you don't waste much glass.  I lay over masking tape then trace a centerline with pencil.  I then run a utility knife (with disposable blades) down the line.  After 5-6 passes the glass is cut through.

Jason

[insttech1]

OK I taped, scored, and eventually split it with a fresh boxcutter blade.

Worked pretty well, actually.  Only one tiny splinter on a half-run piece.  No big deal, and no loss of width.  (my biggest concern...)

I have to cut six full length strips, and six half length strips, plus the 2" wide maple lam's....so maybe I'll try the scissor method as well.

Thanks Much!!
Marc