The Big Cut
- cnpeters
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The Big Cut
Did the Big Cut today on the tip up canopy, and as many have reported, it wasn't bad at all and actually rather mundane. There has been a trend using vibrating saws as of late, and I used a Harbor Freight cheapy that worked well. Little debris, little odor, and very easy to control (I would first score my cut line, then plunge and follow for a full thickness cut. Of course, it is imperative to tape across your cut every 4-6 inches). So, an alternative method for cutting for those who haven't reached this point yet.
And thank you Chad and Mike B for your excellent websites that have provided me considerable guidance!
And thank you Chad and Mike B for your excellent websites that have provided me considerable guidance!
- Cherokee Driver
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- Chief Rivet Banger
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Sweetness. What do you mean tape over the cut every few inches. I didn't get that.
http://www.rivetbangers.com - Now integrating web and mail!
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
Cut a few inches, then place some duct tape over the cut to keep the weight of the part being cut off the canopy...the rough initial cut *might* be susceptible to cracking. Tho, I did some testing on this, and I could NOT get the waste parts to crack...
That is a rough cut piece that is bent end to end, and I couldn't get it to break or even show signs of a crack. I'm sure if I wasn't trying, it probably would have tho.
Also, notice in that picture the tape...that's what we're talking about here...
That is a rough cut piece that is bent end to end, and I couldn't get it to break or even show signs of a crack. I'm sure if I wasn't trying, it probably would have tho.
Also, notice in that picture the tape...that's what we're talking about here...
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- Chief Rivet Banger
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Thanx! Spike
http://www.rivetbangers.com - Now integrating web and mail!
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
- Cherokee Driver
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Not that I am any where near this stage of the game...but I am curious.
Is there a special blade that you guys used with the vibrating saw? I am not too familiar with these tools other than seeing them in the local home depot from time to time. It makes a lot of sense to me to use this than a spinning carbide blade in a die grinder. I have seen photos of guys covered in dust after they cut away with "the wheel." I can envision the spinning blade getting away from me as well. Just looking for info for down the road.
CD
Is there a special blade that you guys used with the vibrating saw? I am not too familiar with these tools other than seeing them in the local home depot from time to time. It makes a lot of sense to me to use this than a spinning carbide blade in a die grinder. I have seen photos of guys covered in dust after they cut away with "the wheel." I can envision the spinning blade getting away from me as well. Just looking for info for down the road.
CD
RV-8A
Wing Kit (Slow Build...very slow build)
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"Glacial Pace...but lovin every minute of it!"
Wing Kit (Slow Build...very slow build)
Home of "Skunk Works, Wisconsin Branch"
"Glacial Pace...but lovin every minute of it!"
- cnpeters
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BUT, while I did the same experiment, that same piece you are holding cracked midway through my cut, but fortunately the crack was in the scrap. After scratching my head (I also bent pieces way over like you), I figured the piece was loaded as the canopy sides were splayed significantly wider than the fuse on the bench. I figured that was probably the reason, and made sure thereafter that the canopy was braced to the same width as the fuselage - from then on, I never had a crack appear.
cjensen wrote:Cut a few inches, then place some duct tape over the cut to keep the weight of the part being cut off the canopy...the rough initial cut *might* be susceptible to cracking. Tho, I did some testing on this, and I could NOT get the waste parts to crack...
That is a rough cut piece that is bent end to end, and I couldn't get it to break or even show signs of a crack. I'm sure if I wasn't trying, it probably would have tho.
Also, notice in that picture the tape...that's what we're talking about here...
- cnpeters
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The ones I've seen come with the blade as one of the attachments. It may be fully circular, or a partial disc; all with tiny teeth. As the to and fro movement is so small, it won't cut soft materials well. When I used to cut casts off of scared children, I would hold the vibrating blade to my palm to show that it won't cut skin.
Cherokee Driver wrote:Not that I am any where near this stage of the game...but I am curious.
Is there a special blade that you guys used with the vibrating saw? I am not too familiar with these tools other than seeing them in the local home depot from time to time. It makes a lot of sense to me to use this than a spinning carbide blade in a die grinder. I have seen photos of guys covered in dust after they cut away with "the wheel." I can envision the spinning blade getting away from me as well. Just looking for info for down the road.
CD