How to Cut a Fiberglass Tube
Fiberglass is a combination of plastic reinforced with fine fibers of glass. Because it is lightweight and strong, fiberglass is regularly used in the construction of boats, automobiles, baths, hot tubs, water tanks, roofing, external door skins, pipes and tubes. Most companies that sell fiberglass tubing will cut it for you. For both speed and safety, this is the recommended course to take. However, with the correct tools and precautions, cutting fiberglass tubing need not be a difficult task. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Dust mask or respirator, eye protection and gloves.
- Fine-toothed hacksaw, power miter or chop saw with a fine, abrasive blade.
Instructions
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Take steps to ensure your safety. Wear a dust mask or respirator, eye protection and gloves when cutting. Cut outdoors, if possible. Ensure no pets or unprotected people are near the cutting area.
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Select your cutting tool. A fine-toothed hacksaw will work for small jobs. Alternatively, use a power miter or chop saw with a fine abrasive blade (don’t use a toothed blade).
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Mark your fiberglass around its circumference. Measure from a square end and ensure that the cutting mark is at a right angle to the main pipe axis.
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Provide support to either side of the cut and the pipe so that no part will drop during cutting. Place a piece of scrap wood at the point of the cut. If the fiberglass tube needs to be rolled during cutting, make sure that at least one-quarter of the circumference is intact to prevent damage.
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Check that the ends of your tubing are in good condition after the cut is complete. Dispose of fiberglass scraps and vacuum the dust.
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Tips & Warnings
Wrap masking tape at the cut point to help create a clean cut.
Do not breathe fiberglass dust.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images
