Safely cutting FR4 (glass fiber) cooper clad board

[xorophone]

Hello! I'm sure this question has been asked multiple times before, but I can't find anything and I need to know quickly.

What safety equipment do I need to cut FR4 copper clad? What's the safest way to do it? I've only used bakelite boards before and I usually cut those using a dremel. Is it safer to use a hacksaw? Do I need something to cover skin/clothes with? Do I have to use special breathing equipment or is a normal dust mask good enough? Can I vacuum the fiber glass dust or should I just do it outside? Is it really as dangerous as it seems?

Sorry for all these questions. I don't want to die!

[GibsonGM]

It's not *great* stuff, no, but when I cut it I use a hacksaw or dremel and have a fan blowing the dust outdoors.  Eye protection of course, and feel free to wear a dust mask as it certainly won't hurt.   

[Rixen]

Guillotine works great too - no dust. If you don't have access to a metal cutting one, an old school heavy duty paper/card one works for pedal sized boards and can probably be bought cheaply second hand

[xorophone]

It's not *great* stuff, no, but when I cut it I use a hacksaw or dremel and have a fan blowing the dust outdoors.  Eye protection of course, and feel free to wear a dust mask as it certainly won't hurt.

Thank you! I'll do it outside, probably using a hacksaw to prevent particles from flying around. And I'll use eye protection and a dust mask.

Guillotine works great too - no dust. If you don't have access to a metal cutting one, an old school heavy duty paper/card one works for pedal sized boards and can probably be bought cheaply second hand

I'll definitely be on the lookout for one of those. It would make everything so much easier.

[duck_arse]

if you get any of the cut fibreglass dust on yr skin, expect to be scratching it. for days. and if it gets in yr clothes .....

[davent]

Dremel with a diamond cut off wheel for fine trimming, like a hot knife through butter. For carving up chunks, gross cutting, a hacksaw. Always a dust mask and add safety glasses with the Dremel.



dave

[EBK]

 Yikes!

I've been cutting this stuff for years with a hacksaw while securing the boards with bare hands  ,
indoors, without extra ventilation  ,
with no dust masks  ,
no goggles  .

I've gotten tons of the dust on my skin and clothing  .

I've never thought about being more careful.... 

[stallik]

Me too Erik. No problems the first time so just carried on with no issues so far. Probably just lucky. If you're young and have some years left, please don't follow my lead

[LiLFX]

I fabricate PCBs for a living. You don't want to breathe the dust, and it's not something you want blowing around in your home, but otherwise I wouldn't get too worked up about it. I'm personally more concerned with copper toxicity from copper dust, and when I go home I usually smell like a penny.

You can spend some money on a shear from Circuit Specialists or go down to the hardware store and get some tin snips. I haven't tried it, but a wet saw might be a hell of a tool for this job.

[GibsonGM]

Like anything, it's all in how much you do it.  Also, scoring a cut with the hacksaw and then snapping it may be an option.

I like a fan on blowing away from me when I use the Dremel. It's not radioactive waste or anything, but repeated exposure to the crap in fiberglass resin is probably something to minimize...

I like the idea of a wet saw!

[lapsteelman]

I use a jewelers saw. It works fine for what I do.... dust seems minimal, but I don't do it on any sort of large scale.