Cutting Fiberglas: How?
 

Hi,

I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
hard.

So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

Chris

Chris wrote:
Hi,

I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
hard.

So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

Chris


Any abrasive tool, grinder, dremel, file or hacksaw. Wear a dust
mask. How to get at it sounds like a bigger concern.

Terry K

Terry Spragg wrote:
Chris wrote:
Hi,

I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
hard.

So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

Chris


Any abrasive tool, grinder, dremel, file or hacksaw. Wear a dust
mask. How to get at it sounds like a bigger concern.

Terry K


I assume you have checked the engine mounts and that there is not a
problem.

Any cutting tool will do fiberglass. Depending on access I would tend
to use a hacksaw. If using power tools try to run a shop vac near the
cut to remove as much dust as possible. Wear a mask and glasses.

After cutting out the chunk you will need to reglass the cutout since
you are probably exposing the ends of the glass fibers.

Whatever you use, fibreglass will dull the blake really fast.
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diamond blade in 4" angle grinder

mask for dust of course.

blow yourself down with air afterwards (leaf blower if no compressed air)

"Chris" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
hard.

So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

Chris

On 7 Aug 2005 10:45:42 -0700, "Chris" wrote:

I would look at the engine mountings first....but....

Depends on access. You could use a diamond wheel (may clog) or an
abrasive blade on a grinder. To prevent clogging, one way is to wax
the wheel. I bought a huge block of wax from the local abrasives
supply place just foe the purpose. Quite cheap too. You can use
candles etc. The idea is that the wax melts, and frees up the stuff to
fly away, I am told. Makes sense.

If it's a hands only job, then get the hacksaw blade with the carbide
grit edge. I find that normal hacksaw blades disappear pretty fast
with glass.

You can also get grit blades for jigsaws. Make sure the blade does not
pull back back into the glass any stage of its stroke, or you risk
bending/breaking the blade.

Hacksaw and jigsaw will generate a lot less dust.

As everybody else said, suck out diust as fast as possible. Wear a
mask at least. Probably get a disposable suit and do dispose of it.
Are you sensitive to Glass dust? You will pay if so. Some ideas are to
cover yourself with lanolin cream etc, then _wash_ it off afterward.
Use sticky tape to pull the foibres out etc etc Whatever, do not scrub
at glass itch.

Hi,

I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
hard.

So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

Chris

"Chris" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
hard.

So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

Chris


@#@ I use an sawzal Bosch, Milwakee and others make them.

Rey

Whatever you can make work. Sawzall, jigsaw (carbid grit blades preferred),
Dremel, or 4" grinder might do the job. My favorites are twist drills, hole
saws and the Fein Multi-Master.

"Chris" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
hard.

So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

Chris

Before you do any cutting of fiberglass check for the cause.
I do not know what type of boat you have and how old is your engine.
First you I would investigate more and try to minimize the vibration. The
vibration could be caused by all kind of things, engine tuning, mounts, head
casket, valves adjustment, air lock etc. If it does vibrates excessively
while turning the propeller your shaft alignment may be the cause.

"Reynaud" wrote in message
...

"Chris" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
hard.

So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

Chris


@#@ I use an sawzal Bosch, Milwakee and others make them.

Rey

Any of the tools mentioned will work, but I'd try to find out what
caused the problem--unless you're sure this is a design flaw. you may
weaken the engine stringers, or if you may have bad engine mounts as
mentioned above, which may also be affecting your alignment. At any
rate, the one thing I wanted to add is, if you are using a power tool,
esp. if you are grinding, wear a tyvec-type overalls. You may sweat a
bit, but it sure beats the glass-itch. If you get glass itch,
alternate very hot and very cold water in the shower. It won't get rid
of it, but the scalding sensation will make you forget about it for a
spell.

good luck.

mickey