Best way to cut FRP?

[Handyman Mike]

I have to cut some FRP panels for a job, which I haven't done before. I'd like to do them with the TS 55. Is this possible? What's the best speed? Can I use the standard all-purpose blade? Otherwise, what's the best blade (Fine Tooth, Aluminum/Plastic, Solid Surface/Laminate)?

If I can't use the plunge saw, can I use Trion jigsaw, and which blade is best?

Thanks, all!

--Mike

 

[bertv]

The product sheets I could find are not very clear regarding the type of saw one can use — apart from mentioning carbide tips. Which could imply that FRP has a certain tendency to blunt saws (glass!).

I think you can use a fine or medium toothed carbide blade (of which there is a wider selection available for the Trion than for the TS55…)

 

[tjbnwi]

I would use the solid surface 48 tooth blade. Speed, I'd guess as I made the first cut.

Tom

 

[bigjonh]

I do a lot of FRP, I use a pair of electric shears.

 

[tjbnwi]

I do a lot of FRP, I use a pair of electric shears.

Do you mean fiber cement? The FRP I know of is fiber reinforced plywood. Use to work with 4x10x3/4" sheets of it.

By the way, if you mean fiber cement, I use the TS for that also, just a different blade.

Tom

 

[bigjonh]

FRP to me is usually Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic. Thin sheets that are glued onto commercial kitchen/bathroom walls. I know some guys cut it with a ts, but that glue is like napalm so I keep the tools I use/expose to a minimum.Thicker composite sheet good panels are a different beast. I guess it depends what the OP was on about.

 

[tjbnwi]

Never heard of the plastic before. Knowing me, I'd still use the saw.

Tom

 

[rizzoa13]

Shears or a sharp pair of hand snips. Most of the time you'll be using inside and outside corners plus top caps so you don't need the exactness of a track saw. You can flip it over and knife it in a pinch but you best be good at it and expect too get sliced up, ask me how i know this.

 

[#Tee]

I use the stock blade on the ts55 to cut sheets of 1.77mm carbon fiber. ive stacked it to 10mm before and the cut was clean as can be (good as waterjet) for curves i use a carbide grit festool blade with very clean results. FRP should be easier. 

 

[Handyman Mike]

FRP to me is usually Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic. Thin sheets that are glued onto commercial kitchen/bathroom walls. I know some guys cut it with a ts, but that glue is like napalm so I keep the tools I use/expose to a minimum.Thicker composite sheet good panels are a different beast. I guess it depends what the OP was on about.

I meant the plastic. I'd never heard of Fiberglass Reinforced Plywood before. On general principle, I think they should call it something else.  [blink]

 

[Handyman Mike]

I figured the TS would be fast and neat. I've found some scraps, so I think I'll start experimenting.

 

[Holmz]

I use the stock blade on the ts55 to cut sheets of 1.77mm carbon fiber. ive stacked it to 10mm before and the cut was clean as can be (good as waterjet) for curves i use a carbide grit festool blade with very clean results. FRP should be easier.

The dust from carbon fiber contain carbon, and carbon is conductive.
Many suggest using air tools for cutting it as it had played havoc on motors in the past.
I'll have to look at the tear down video again to see if the TS55 has lots of seals, but most tools capture dust well, so it may be a concern of the past.

What is the model # of the carbide jib saw blade?

 

[w802h]

+1 on tin snips.  I take small bites as well to prevent tear-out and cracking. 

 

[rst]

FRP is a commonly use covering in commercial food prep and for restrooms as it is imune to most all cleaners and disinfectants.  It can be cut with any saw using a fine blade, although carbide is best.  The thing to avoid is vibration, it is a brittle material so support it from below and keep your saw tight to the material.  Cutting it is much like cutting phenolics or thin acrylics...wear a dust mask and goggles.  We used to distribute it but my plastics supplier, AIN, actually told me to buy from Home Depot as they buy such massive quantities that even huge suppliers can't touch the price point.

 

[curt boyer]

I used to put a plywood blade in my standard circular saw backwards and cut it like you would vinyl siding.
Cheers
Curt

 

[sae]

Shears unless you want to cough up blood for the next month.

Never heard of the plastic before. Knowing me, I'd still use the saw.

Tom

Yeah don't get glass fibers airborne. You'll hate yourself.

 

[tjbnwi]

Shears unless you want to cough up blood for the next month.

Never heard of the plastic before. Knowing me, I'd still use the saw.

Tom

Yeah don't get glass fibers airborne. You'll hate yourself.

You assume I don't already ;D

Tom

 

[sucker 4 tools]

the dust from frp, grp or other composites is very harmful to the body, and just as bad for electrical components especially motors, i really would not want to cut it with my ts unless you have extremely good extraction and PPE and the right blade which would be a carbide or continuous diamond. the blades can get very hot and damage the material and the blade/tool. i have found a very thin kerf continuous diamond disk on a grinder to be good, but im not sure exactly what you are cutting or the thickness.
all the best and wear a P3 mask.

 

[lino-man]

I have to cut some FRP panels for a job, which I haven't done before. I'd like to do them with the TS 55. Is this possible? What's the best speed? Can I use the standard all-purpose blade? Otherwise, what's the best blade (Fine Tooth, Aluminum/Plastic, Solid Surface/Laminate)?

If I can't use the plunge saw, can I use Trion jigsaw, and which blade is best?

Thanks, all!

--Mike

I've been installing frp for a number of years now. I'll add one more suggestion to the many fine ones already mentioned. I don't like the dust so I typically use a carbide scoring knife and strait edge. It takes 4-5 passes before you can snap it. Very cheap way to do it.

Jeff

 

[#Tee]

i used this for curves 486562 R54G Carbide Tipped Jigsaw Blade

i used to use a dewalt 10in with a diablo 80t carbide blade to cut many cf sheet panels for small projects with no issues in the past. Now i use the kapex and ts. ofc you dont want to do this without a respirator. I didnt buy festool to be a woodworker or carpenter.