I have to cut some fiberglass blanks so I can put on ferrules. What is the best way to cut fiberglass???

Thanks

Fiberglass is a little easier than graphite. If you have a dremel tool, just wrap the blank with masking tape to give you a straight line. Use a reinforced cut off wheel and work around the blank at the edge of the tape.

If you don't have a dremel, the best hand tool is a triangular file. Score the blank at the edge of the tape and continue around the blank until you get through it. If you don't have a triangular file, the corner of a regular bastard mill file works okay as well.

Glass is less prone to splintering compared to graphite but these methods are proven to work well.

Terry

Jim,
If you are going to be doing much rod building, do yourself a favor and buy a mini chop saw with an abrasive wheel on it. It makes quick and easy work of such chores:

[www.harborfreight.com]

Remove the blade and guard that comes with the saw and replace with an abrasive disk:

[www.harborfreight.com]

The saw will quickly cut square and cleanly any sort of material including fiberglass and graphite blanks.

I modified the saw that I purchased by removing all of the alignment and items on the bed or the saw. Then, I replaced the guides by adding a single 1/4 x 1/4 angled aluminum that was placed perpendicular to the cutting wheel.
I only have one use for the saw and that is to make square cuts on rod stock. It works very well and takes up very little room in the shop.
I mounted the saw on a board with rubber feet so that it had some beef to it and would stay in place on the bench while chopping.

Be safe

Thanks guys

Jim

I wrap the area I am cutting with tape and use a hacksaw and sand my cut to square if it isn't square to start.

All the tips you have been given are very good. If you want more, there was an article in a recent RodMaker issue on the various methods and the results that each one provided. Close-up photos were provided for visual inspection.

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Adams way is what I do

Scratch all around the blank - then go into it so as to cut the fibers around it

Works well on graphite glass - Just cut it
Then sand the edges

Bill - willierods.com

Tom, which issue was is?

Volume 15 #4.

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On thin blanks I typically us a dremel with a cutoff wheel. On large blanks I use a fine tooth hacksaw.