Need help with cutting fibreglass cowling!

[pitviper51]

i have yet to work on mine,, i need to let it wax for a bit ,, not in a big rush i wanna do it right
mike

[Funkerdelicuk]

can any one show me a photo of the right tool, you all on about. I have one to cut soon, and I know I'm going to make a dogs dinner off it and mess it up. I no that you need to mark every thing out to start off but cutting with out chipping the gelcoat. is there a rong way or a nack in getting them just right

[Unbalanced]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Funkerdelicuk
	can any one show me a photo of the right tool, you all on about. I have one to cut soon, and I know I'm going to make a dogs dinner off it and mess it up. I no that you need to mark every thing out to start off but cutting with out chipping the gelcoat. is there a rong way or a nack in getting them just right

[tommy321]

Or this (look for a "RotoZip" bit):


Which makes edges that look like this:






Which is then cleaned up with the sanding drum:



To give this:

[tommy321]

And if you're using a rotozip bit, just be sure to keep a very firm hand on the tool as you cut. These bits can have a tendancy to bite and wander off in some materials when you hit a thicker patch of fiberglass.

Practice by cutting well inside your cut line first... that way if you screw it up on your first try, its in garbage material anyways

Tom

[luv2flyguy]

Dremel tool is the way to go! As stated draw out your opening with a sharpie or something, if you want you can apply masking tape over the opening and draw your pattern on it and after cutting it out remove the excess tape. I use a cut off wheel to cut inside the lines and and then use the sanding tool on my dremel. Also I have a small file set that I found at Radio Shack that works great to smooth up the edges. This always works great for me, also take your time and don't try to get it all in one try, cut small amounts at a time untill you get it where you want it.

[Funkerdelicuk]

Thank you umbalanced now I seethe right tool. gives me the idear you on a bout. just very glad see this befor I start surgery on mine lol..

[Funkerdelicuk]

What good advice on here. looking like I do it on the weekend when thinking clearly, if thats posible, or a stiff drink to carm my shaking hand. Thanks every one

[Unbalanced]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Funkerdelicuk
	Thank you umbalanced now I seethe right tool. gives me the idear you on a bout. just very glad see this befor I start surgery on mine lol..

NP. There is also one that is slighly tapered and looks like it has tiny balls attached to it. I couldn't find it in the Dremel catalog, but it is by far the best fiberglass cutting tool ever. You can use it as a drill to start your cutting (in fiberglass) and it's fine enough that a sanding drum isn't really reqiured either.

Please wear eye and respiratory protection when working with fiberglass.

Found it. DRE9931