More carbon fiber work

"mycarneverruns87" (mycarneverruns87) 01/15/2014 at 15:36 • Filed to: None

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So I got the main piece cut, drilled, and mounted for my gauge cluster last night and it looks great. I got my gauges today and hope to mount them tonight. Any tips on types of hole-saws to use? I have heard diamond impregnated bits work good but that sounds expensive. Any input is appreciated.

jariten1781 > mycarneverruns87 01/15/2014 at 15:40

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I don't know anything about drilling CF, but I do know that diamond bits are not much more expensive than decent non-diamond bits.

mycarneverruns87 > jariten1781 01/15/2014 at 15:41

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Hmm, did not know that. I guess since I have a girlfriend the word diamond always sounds expensive ;)

corvairsomeday2 > mycarneverruns87 01/15/2014 at 15:42

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If the hole saw teeth move too slowly, it could 'pull' at the fibers instead of cut them, causing the carbon sheet to de-laminate. I'd look for something that's really fast. You may have to do a rough cut with a tiny Dremel cut-off wheel, then finish with a file.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > mycarneverruns87 01/15/2014 at 15:44

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I would not use a hole saw on CF personally.

If you do I'd recommend putting a lot of layers of tape on first, marking the hole, and drilling through the tape and CF together. And, I'd also recommend getting the most fine toothed hole saw you can and making sure you hit it with speed on the drill, as CF loves to shred even when impregnated with the epoxy.

Tentacle, Dutchman, drives French > mycarneverruns87 01/15/2014 at 15:50

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I don't think you can impress girls with industrial diamonds. Because those are the non-perfect shape ones, the off-color ones, the fault-lined ones and so on. Given that those are much more abundant than the clear, properly shaped flawless ones for jewelery, they are much cheaper.

EL_ULY > mycarneverruns87 01/15/2014 at 15:51

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pictures Kinja'd?

mycarneverruns87 > EL_ULY 01/15/2014 at 15:56

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kinja'd indeed. Been trying for hours

Meatcoma > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 01/15/2014 at 15:58

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This sounds like solid advice for the OP.

mycarneverruns87 > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 01/15/2014 at 15:58

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I use tape in that manner all the time and it helped last night for sure. I will look around the local hardware store and see what they have. Good points sir

mycarneverruns87 > corvairsomeday2 01/15/2014 at 15:59

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My "dremel" is a knock off and I don't have any good bits/tips for it but I may still use it for different areas.

mycarneverruns87 > EL_ULY 01/15/2014 at 16:01

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Well shit, worked this time!

Joe_Limon > mycarneverruns87 01/15/2014 at 16:05

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I have used scissors/shears. then get some cheap trim to clean up the edges.

mycarneverruns87 > Joe_Limon 01/15/2014 at 16:06

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This stuff is way too thick for even aviation snips. It's nearly 1/4" and is solid

Joe_Limon > mycarneverruns87 01/15/2014 at 16:08

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O_O did you get it for free? Or did you pay for 1/4" carbon?

EL_ULY > mycarneverruns87 01/15/2014 at 16:10

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lol wtf kinja

mycarneverruns87 > Joe_Limon 01/15/2014 at 16:27

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Paid for it. I am out in the boonies so people around here hardly know what the stuff is.

Joe_Limon > mycarneverruns87 01/15/2014 at 16:31

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Why so thick? For a dash all you really need is a couple layers. Its all about the savings!

mycarneverruns87 > Joe_Limon 01/15/2014 at 16:42

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I was looking for 1/8" but this was sold in 3.5mm which is just in between 1/8" and 1/4". It is supporting 5 or so gauges so I figured why not. I have never used the stuff before so I have learned.

Mosqvich > mycarneverruns87 01/15/2014 at 17:00

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I used to sell machine tool end mills, etc... I found this bit, pardon the pun, of information: Machining CFRP laminates is quite difficult due to the extremely abrasive nature of the carbon fibers and low thermal conductivity of CFRP. For this reason advanced cutting tools such as diamond coated carbides and polycrystalline diamond cutting tools are usually employed during machining of CFRP laminates. It is a challenge for manufacturers to machine CFRP materials without causing any damage to the work part (e.g. delamination) while considering the economics of the process.

Whenever you work with an abrasive material you really do need to think about both running the end mill or bit and more importantly delaminating your expensive CFRP. So, don't cheap out now!