Cutting out carbon fibre

Zipper · 2007 LBC TRUCK CHAMPION

I'm looking to make some custom carbon fibre shock towers for the Durga which will move the shock mounting holes up 5mm. This will enable me to use the TRF501x shocks without having to put lots of limiters inside them.

I have a sheet of 3mm carbon fibre and am itching to make the towers, from templates I have made from thin card.

I wanted to know if anyone else has had a go at cutting carbon fibre and if so, any tips?

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Team Associated B44

LBC · 2005-06 CLUB CHAMPION, 2008 2WD CHAMPION

I take it you're using a bowsaw?
If so: saw slowly, keep the blade upright/level and, most importantly, use the whole length of the blade with each cut.
Drill the corners first, obviously Laughing

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According to James Douglas Morrison 'the West is the best', but I'm stickin' with the 'East'!

Zipper · 2007 LBC TRUCK CHAMPION

LBC · 2005-06 CLUB CHAMPION, 2008 2WD CHAMPION

In that case: Drill the corners first (as close as possible) and take your time- slow is quicker! Laughing

_________________
According to James Douglas Morrison 'the West is the best', but I'm stickin' with the 'East'!

Alex · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject:

You were probably already going to, but remember to use a face mask as carbon dust is nasty stuff.

Zipper · 2007 LBC TRUCK CHAMPION

Alex · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject:

That will do it. Smile

Is this a small insight into what you get upto at home?
(I'm not really shocked or surprised) Laughing

LBC · 2005-06 CLUB CHAMPION, 2008 2WD CHAMPION

BRILL!! HA-HA-HA! (Emoticon won't work!)
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According to James Douglas Morrison 'the West is the best', but I'm stickin' with the 'East'!

Zipper · 2007 LBC TRUCK CHAMPION

BenH · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject:

BenH · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:05 pm Post subject:

ATTENTION

If you are thinking about buying Carbon Fibre Sheets and cutting your shock towers, chassis or anything else out of it DON'T!!!

The £4.00 you MAY end up saving is not worth it - really not worth it!

If you really really really want to make your own. Buy carbon woven sheets, cut with scissors to suit mould, drop in resin and be done. This long winded way is nothing compared to cutting your own.

Firstly you will need masks, which as you breathe through, filter up into the safety glasses, fogging your vision. Dremels on full tilt and 4 well sanded fingers later you hold, in your reduced hand, shock towers that look like they were shipped in from the planet Wonk.

Then there is the skin. The irritation to the skin as little tiny carbon splinters irritate your arms.

And finally, the mess Exclamation

. From two tiny little shock towers - the dust - my god the dust! After finishing, I felt compelled to start my own Colliery Brass Band

Now where did I leave that strumpet! Wink

andyem · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:26 am Post subject:

That went well then?
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If Ignorance is bliss, then knock the smile off my face.

Zipper · 2007 LBC TRUCK CHAMPION

Good old Ben sort of took over the cutting out of the towers... I think he felt I was useless with the Dremel?

How about the results?

I think we did pretty well. I fitted them to the Durga last night and they fit perfectly. They also do exactly what was intended in moving the shock location 5mm higher.

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Team Associated B44

BenH · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:05 am Post subject:

My arms are still itching! Crying or Very sad

Lots of red dots - Those nasty nano-bots, they're eating there way through. Crying or Very sad

BenH · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:25 am Post subject: