REFLECTOR:Tools

[Alexander Balic]

Scott,

A body was is a very slender air powered saw. It is about 1 1/2" in diameter
and about 10"long.  IT takes a metal/fiberglass cutting blade that is
similar in appearance to a jigsaw blade, but it tapers more to the end, and
cuts with about a 1/32" kerf.  The blade sticks out the end of the cylinder
about 3" and when you pull the trigger, it runs at about 10,000
strokes/minute- kind of hums.  it cuts fiberglass like butter, and can cut a
radius down to about 1/2" with practice.  It can also start its own hole if
you smoothly tilt it into the work.  Also, if you keep it at a sharp angle
to the work, it will cut a pretty straight line- it was great to cut the
ailerons out of the wing, doors out of the fuse, windows out of the fuse,
trimming the strake baffles, trimming the strakes, ect, even cuts the window
plexi really easily.  I have used mine almost every single day I have worked
on the plane. yesterday, I was installing some windows in the bottom of the
strakes, and since you have such perfect control on the cutting, I was able
to just cut through the inner layer of glass and the foam in the strake
skin, then turned it sideways, and slid it between the foam and the bottom
skin. and since it doesn't cut on the sides, you can separate the foam from
the skin really easily, kind of like filleting a fish.  Of course, it also
cuts through sheet metal, bolts, ect. I have to say that it is my favorite
tool, with the 90 degree die grinder/3" 36 grit sanding disk a close
second....

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-admin@tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-admin@tvbf.org]On
Behalf Of Scott Derrick
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2003 6:19 PM
To: reflector@tvbf.org
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR:Tools


I guess I have to profess my ignorance and ask what is a body saw and
why would I want one?

Scott

Alexander Balic wrote:
> Just to let everyone know, Harbor freight tools has their air powered
> body saw (AKA fiberglass laser) on sale right now for 20 bucks- the last
> one that I bought from them 3 years ago is still going strong, but for
> the $20 I might just get another one if not just to pay homage to the
> tool that has done almost as much work on my plane as I have.
>
> Alex


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