How to cut fiberglass??

[Archer1019]

I neet to split a 72" piece of glass in half lengthwise for a kids bow.  How do I do it?

[sidebuster]

Band saw I guess.  What I would do is glue the whole glass without cutting.  Then with my belt sander I would sand the excess glass sticking out on both sides to the line I made  with my stencil.

[warden415]

I agree band saw. Just make sure you set the guide as low as possible and use a fence, go slow also. Grinding would work also but if you cut it, you could use the other half for a second kids bow. Steve

[Archer1019]

The glass is 2" wide and I need it to be 1" wide.  I am making very low poundage bows for the kids (under 17#).

[BenBow]

I've heard of using a straight edge and a box knife to score the glass then breaking it in half. If you have any scraps give it a try first.

[SOS]

A fine wheel on a dremel works well, but slow.

[Archer1019]

BenBow, the guy at bowstick archery said basically the same thing.  I wanted to see if others had attempted this with any 'words of wisdom' or warnings.

[draco]

Glue it to a lamination first. Then use a 4" or 41/2" grinder with a i/16" thick cutting disc. The side of the lamination is your guide. These discs cut fiberglass real good,and real clean. You can get them at the Depot.

[Glenn Newell]

I did this a couple of weeks ago and the straight edge and box knife works very well and no duat, a hacksaw works well also. I always apply masking tape to the lamination first...Glenn...

[BenBow]

matjo were you able to get thinner glass than the .050" bowstick has on their site? I don't even use .050 glass on my 50+ lb bows. I'd like to get some 2" glass and split it like you to make bows for the grandkids but .050 is mighty thick. Binghams has .030 in clear but lots more expensive.

[Sharpster]

I also think that a good bandsaw would be the best choice. It should be noted that fiberglass dust is some seriously bad stuff for the lungs!
Be sure to wear a GOOD mask and have the shop well ventilated. Do it outside if you can. If not a length of hose connected to a dust collecter (or even a vacume cleaner)with the open end of the hose as close as you can get it to the blade.

-Sharps

[Plywood Bender-laptop]

If you use the bandsaw, which would work, remember that the blade you use will be toast for anything else.  I keep one blade just for cutting anything with glass and one for cutting wood only.

Carl

[shaft slinger]

glue it just like you are making a 2" bow and cut it down the middle and make 2 bows, do it on a band saw with a good fence.   works great i do all the time on kids bows

[chris_qc]

Being a technician in a lab that does research on fiber reinforced plastics, I've found that a water cooled ceramic tile saw does a clean cut without any dust.