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Cutting FRP panels??

JeffHeath | Posted in Tools for Home Building on January 27, 2009 09:28am

Hi, Folks.  I’m over from the Knots, and have a question.  I am doing a repair job at a restaurant that involves FRP panels, and I need to know what you fine folks who work with this stuff use to cut the panels.  I was told at the supplier to use a fine tooth blade.  I have the Festool plungesaw and CT-33 vac, and want to use that to keep the fiberglass dust down to a minimum, as they will be cut in the restaurant during off hours.  Can I just use the 46 tooth woodcutting carbide blade, or do I need something special?  Any help is greatly appreciated.

Jeff

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Replies

  1. User avater
    bstcrpntr | Jan 27, 2009 09:31pm | #1

    are the panels preglued to osb or are you just cutting the thin ones?

    October 17th, 2009

    Jeremy and Lisa

    Was there ever any doubt?

    1. JeffHeath | Jan 27, 2009 11:23pm | #5

      I'm using the thin sheets, which I will apply after I re-install the 5/8th drywall.  This is in a restaurant, where a sprinkler system pipe burst, with some major water damage.  I removed all old drywall, which was covered with the FRP.  The sprinkler system company is doing the repairs to the broken pipes, and I'll be taking it from there.  The repair area is a wall, with a soffet above, so I have plenty of cuts to make.

      Thanks for the help.  My guess is that the Festool saw and guide will help me get a nice, straight cut, and the vacuum attachment always provides pretty good dust control.  I'll definately be wearing my respirator for this one.

      Jeff

      1. Boats234 | Jan 27, 2009 11:59pm | #6

        Leave your saw in the truck....... use tin snips. Malco makes some snips for vinyl siding that works great for FRP

         

        edit to add.

        Edges are never exposed (covered with J, corner or splice trim) so perfect edges need not apply.

        Edited 1/27/2009 4:02 pm ET by Boats234

      2. Robrehm | Jan 28, 2009 01:49am | #7

        docking shears. get them at harbor freight if you don't want to spend much."this dog may be old but he ain't cold. And he still knows how to bury a bone."

        Lattimore

         

        http://www.rehmodeling.com

      3. User avater
        bstcrpntr | Jan 28, 2009 04:01am | #11

        I use my vinyl tin snips and my shear that goes in the cordless drill.

        Make sure you mud the drywall or the seams will show through.

        Drill bits and tin snips for small holes.

         October 17th, 2009

        Jeremy and Lisa

        Was there ever any doubt?

        1. JeffHeath | Jan 28, 2009 04:12am | #12

          Thanks to all for the fine tips.  I have metal shears (from building my shop), grinder w/cutting disc, and the saw option.  I'll just experiment and see which works best.  I believe that since the job is only 10 minutes from my shop, I'm going to take all the measurements, and pre-cut the panels in my shop, where I'm set up for dust extraction.

          Thanks again.

          Jeff

          1. lettusbee | Jan 28, 2009 04:24am | #13

            I used to build bathroom buildings in a shop, then ship em out on a truck.  We would build the walls on a table, sheet'em plywood, then roll out the frp onto the sheeting, (preglue the panel).  Once the FRP was down, we would trim the edges and openings with a router, using the panel as a guide.  I can't remember if it was a bearing guided bit, or just a panel pilot bit.  But it worked slicker than snot. 

             

          2. JeffHeath | Jan 28, 2009 07:16pm | #15

            That's a great tip for new construction.  Unfortunately, the walls I'm working on are already up.  Thanks, though.

            Jeff

          3. rasconc | Jan 28, 2009 08:52pm | #16

            I use a scoring blade and snap if not doing too much. By far the cleanest.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

          4. jeffwoodwork | Feb 10, 2009 09:00am | #17

            Score the back and snap, or a thin kerf CT blade 24tooth plus.

          5. rasconc | Feb 10, 2009 09:26am | #19

            I score the back, no way would have considered scoring across the pebble grain face. 

            http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=SPECIALTY+KNIFE+BLADES&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=11-942&SDesc=Scoring+Knife+Blade

            Not sure what blade you are talking about for the saw.  A lot of dust unless you have geat DC.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

          6. nailnhamr | Jan 28, 2009 04:34am | #14

            Installed lots of this. Jigsaw , wood blade, beltsand if needed. Controls dust, less noise. Cuts a little slower, but you feel better at the end of the day

  2. mike4244 | Jan 27, 2009 09:47pm | #2

    Use a steel plywood blade.Keeping down the dust is pretty much impossible. I used a 6" PC sawboss that has a bent pipe chute for dust contol. All it does is direct the dust in the direction you want. I tried a bag but it fills too fast and just clogs up. Maybe a vaccumn hose may work if it doesn't get in the way.What I wound up doing was vaccumning after each couple of cuts.

    mike



    Edited 1/27/2009 2:41 pm ET by mike4244

  3. User avater
    Sphere | Jan 27, 2009 10:08pm | #3

    Aren't you limited to the propriatary blades ? Use the one with the most teeth.

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

     

    They kill Prophets, for Profits.

     

     

  4. CheckerContracting | Jan 27, 2009 10:24pm | #4

    I don't do much with FRP, but when I have I use a steel plywood blade - installed reverse in a circular saw. Has always worked for me with no chipping.

     

    Shawn

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Checker Contracting - SE Michigan

  5. User avater
    dedhed6b | Jan 28, 2009 02:01am | #8

    These are what I use for the occasional FRP install. There is no dus, ,cuts are accurate, the moldings allow a good fudge factor. Snap a line and go for it.
    http://www.amazon.com/Factory-Reconditioned-Milwaukee-6852-80-Gauge-Shear/dp/B000SE6RP0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hiqid=1233096803&sr=8-2

    "Shawdow boxing the appoclipse and wandering the land"
    Wier/Barlow
    1. MSLiechty | Jan 28, 2009 02:10am | #9

      we've always used shears with great results.

       

      ML

  6. spike999250 | Jan 28, 2009 02:28am | #10

    We use a slitting wheel(cutting disk) on a grinder, someone holding the shop vac hose near the cut.

  7. User avater
    jacobcou | Feb 10, 2009 09:26am | #18

    For straight cuts and no dust: USE STEEL CUTTING SHEARS!

    Don't take the plastic sheet off before you cut. The static charge of the plastic will catch a great deal, especially if you can charge it up a little more by rubbing it on on any of these: Note, some work better than others!

    TRIBOELECTRIC SERIES

    your hand
    glass
    your hair
    nylon
    wool
    fur
    silk
    paper
    cotton
    hard rubber
    polyester
    polyvinylchloride plastic
     
    You can mark on it with a Sharpie on the finished side as long as the protective plastic stays on.  This works great when marking for sink drains and supplies. I use a fiber-reinforced cutoff wheel on my dremel for contour cuts. You aren't just stuck with orange peal for a finish either, they make bead board FRP panels now too! 

     

  8. RobertLee | Feb 10, 2009 10:13am | #20

    For cutting FRP i use a nibbler. This is fast and very litttle dust.

    Smaller cuts tin snips or large snips.

     

  9. VWG1964 | Oct 03, 2012 08:29am | #21

    CUTTING TOOL

    JEFF

    I found the best tool to cut FRP, it an electric metal cutting sheers, i got the tool at Harbor Freight Tools for $45 bucks and it smooth, no worry about fiberglass in the air, great for cutting holes n outlets, the only draw back is that you loose 1/4 of material?  no big deal?

    Vinny

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