Mud-club

Chat & Social => The Bar - General Chat => Topic started by: Barry Scott on September 08, 2005, 10:20:37

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: Barry Scott on September 08, 2005, 10:20:37

I want to cut down my sand ladders to make them fit widthways in the frontera, I do not want to have to leave the seats down all the time.

Now I think these are fiber glass and from what I remember from my brothers arms when he came home from school once, it is nasty stuff.

Any recommendations on how to cut it down and what to use plus any safety tips?

Thanks, Barry

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: littlepow on September 08, 2005, 10:29:43

wear dust mask and googles, cut in well ventilated area as it's evil stuff the dust it produces when cut.
I used a tungsten cutting disc to remove a section from a fibre glass canoe, not nearly as thick as waffles. So probably not much help, that and it was all I had at the time.

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: Barry Scott on September 08, 2005, 10:34:11

Ta, I'll give it a go at the weekend.

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: Reaper on September 08, 2005, 10:40:29

If you pour water onto it as you cut it you get no dust !  :lol:

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: Barry Scott on September 08, 2005, 10:51:41

Water, mask and googles it is then.  Out comes the black and decker.

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: TimM on September 08, 2005, 10:56:51

You might want to have some thick gloves to hand in case of any bits flying off, and beware of the rough surfaces (for 'splinters')

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: Barry Scott on September 08, 2005, 11:02:14

I got some nice thick gloves with my Hi-lift recovery accessories, I'll use them.

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: barmiebrumie on September 08, 2005, 11:03:47

Barry, wear protective clothing ie:- gloves paper overalls & dust mask, small splinters will get into your skin & make you itch like mad, bin the overalls afterwards, i work for a lotus approved bodyshop so know what it s like,

hope this helps,

john.

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: Barry Scott on September 08, 2005, 11:12:09

Ta, I will find some old clothes to wear and bin after.  I knew it was bad because someone had worked on it when my brother was at school and left the dust all over the work top.  He spent a lesson leaning on it and it messed his arms up, rashes for ages.

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: Porny on September 08, 2005, 12:23:48

Quote

Water, mask and googles it is then. Out comes the black and decker.

Mixing water and electricity.... sounds like the rash from the fibreglass will be the least of your worries  :twisted:  :wink:


Ian

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: Barry Scott on September 08, 2005, 12:47:40

Didn't you know, water and electricity goes together like white spirits and an open flame.  They get on like a house on fire  :roll:  #-o  ](*,)

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: Petergg on September 08, 2005, 13:17:39

I cut some the other day, checked the way the was blowing and cut it with a normal wood saw, was OK no problem. best to wear a mask if you have one handy.

Peter

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: ian_s on September 08, 2005, 15:21:57

i'd suggest cutting them with a slow moving saw, not a grinder or anything like that.

Title: i dont understand
Post by: yer auld aunt nelly on September 08, 2005, 18:25:30

why not get a roofrack and mount them on that if your gonna start cutting up sand laddders then they become inherantly weaker

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: Barry Scott on September 08, 2005, 18:28:30

yer auld aunt nelly

I did think of that, but I am not sure how easy it is to get a roof rack for my Frontera, plus it has a plastic part to the rear of the roof so I am not sure how strong it is.

Title: Cutting up fiberglass sand ladders?
Post by: The Fat Controller on September 08, 2005, 20:34:08

BARRY you could get some-one else to cut them for you and them the problems are only a  :)  away.
on a serious note you would need a roof rack as of the type fitted to 2 door flanders