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I use a lot of fiber board, and I always dread cutting it. I like making my own purfling strips. I know I canby sheets of it from Stew-Mac, LMI, RC Tonewoods (they carry more interesting colors, btw). I have found that once it is laminated, it is even harder to cut (with a razor). There has got to be a better way. I would be happy if vendors would sell a service where it is precut (and, essentially they do, but it causes the per sheet price to rise out of site).

I have looked at those matte board cutters in their various incarnations, none seem to be ideally suited for this task, or they are so freaking expensive...

So, has anyone ever finally skinned this cat in a way that is easy to replicate?

Yes, the Proxon saw crossed my mind as well as wire bandsaw blades (have not found those yet).

Argh!

Mike

OK, what I have now is to 48" pieces of right angle aluminum, one side is longer than the other. On the outside edge (widest side), I glued 120 grit sandpaper so that when the two come together (with the fiber between them), it looks like a T from the end view. I clamp along the wide edge to hold the piece in place. This little set up cost maybe $20. I leave maybe .12" of fiber above the T and slice it off. Problem is, its still to dang hard to do. So, I just bought one of those 22 TPI Japanese Flush Cut saws. Hope this makes the difference. It cost $19.

Maybe I will try my little Delta bandsaw with that jig Chris Paulick helped me to build

Mike

Bandsaw, quick and easy. 1/4" blade works just fine.

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How thick is it? I don't know what you are using or how much you use.

Could that be cut on a commercial, guillotine type paper cutter?

Maybe you could get a commercial printer or paper company to cut fiberboard strips for you just before they change the blade on their cutter. Commercial printers regularly change out blades for sharpness. Maybe that's worth a phone call or two.

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StuMusic

Really? No issues? I built a wooden zero clearance insert, guess I should try it...

Ok Filippo, I remember this device from other posts. But it's a chicken and egg device, is it not? U still have to get it small enough to fit in the slot, right? Or could it be made with an adjustable side? Plus, a rotating blade would be an improvement, don't u think? It is devious though!

Filippo,
There is a device that I`ve been meaning to re-aquire that I used for refacing cabinets with veneer about 15 years ago. I can`t for the life of me remember who made it, but it is a tool held in one hand, and the workpiece is fed into it, and drawn accross two very sharp circular cutters.
Totally adjustable up to about 2 1/2" IIRC.
A very handy tool, although expensive. About 125.00 USD back then.
Coe Franklin

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Mike, I use a "slitter" kind of like Filippos viewtopic.php?f=10117&t=19132
I'm sure the concept could be adapted to wider sheets.

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Dave
Milton, ON

Dave, your concept is pretty slick! Thanks!

Mike

Virutex Laminate Slitter:



They make a bench mount clamp for it too. Works great on veneer and formica, I'm sure it'd be perfect for fiber.

Peace,
Sanaka

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That Virutex slitter look like a neat product, but it might need some modification (?) since the manual mentions:
Strip width adjus. from........12 - 110 mm (1/2" - 4½")
One minor problem I've found with slitting fiber with a blade/knife is that the fiber develops a 'furrow' where it is cut, so you have to scrape/sand the strips to get them 'flat' again.

Cheers
John

Yeah, 1/2" is obviously too wide, but it would solve part of my "chicken & egg" problem...

However, at $130, I think I will use my bandsaw to solve that problem.

Mike

I'd think some kind of auxilliary fence to slip in there would be easy enough to yield a smaller rip. It leaves a nice clean sheared edge whereas I'd think a badsawn edge would be a little fuzzy. But yeah, $130 buys a lot of extra fiber

Peace,
Sanaka

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Just another thought: I wonder if a scallop tooth bandsaw blade would work. They're like a serrated knife and designed for cutting foam and soft materials. Seems like it would handle something thin like fiber sheet and would make a slicing cut rather than a chip forming cut, perhaps leaving a nice clean edge.

Peace,
Sanaka

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