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| Cutting/machining carbon fiber http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=11704 |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Wed Apr 18, 2007 12:43 am ] |
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In another thread, folks are talking about running carbon fiber rods in the neck shaft right through into the headstock. This isn't new information for me, but I haven't done it yet, and I'm not sure how I'd get the CF rods flush to the headstock surface. In my limited experience working with the stuff, I've just cut it with a hack saw and left it at that. I've never used any other tools on it, because of what I've been told about it being very hard on tools, and because of the warnings about creating very harmful CF dust. So, how do y'all handle this? Thanks. |
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| Author: | Mike Mahar [ Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:36 am ] |
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Most people I know use the ceramic cut off wheels in their Dremel tool. They are designed to wear down and be thrown away. Where a dust mask and clean up before you take it off. The little sanding drum would probably work for shaping as well. |
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| Author: | Jim Watts [ Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:43 am ] |
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Hi Todd, Sanding drums work about the best, Don't use a band saw unless your ready to toss the blade anyway. Robo sanders are nice as they can follow the head stock. -Jim |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:50 am ] |
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Okay, cutting them off with a cut-off wheel in the dremel and then sanding flush makes sense. With this material, though, I'm still leary of the dust that will be spewn (spewn... is that a word?) all over the place in both of these steps, esp if I use a sanding drum. Hmmm... |
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| Author: | Hank Mauel [ Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:30 am ] |
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[QUOTE=Todd Rose] Okay, cutting them off with a cut-off wheel in the dremel and then sanding flush makes sense. With this material, though, I'm still leary of the dust that will be spewn (spewn... is that a word?) all over the place in both of these steps, esp if I use a sanding drum. Hmmm...[/QUOTE] You gotta shop vacuum???? Hook up the hose/nozzle to a firm support next to where you want to cut/sand the CF rod. That, with a dusk mask, ought to keep the area REAL clean and your lung spotless. 
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| Author: | Hank Mauel [ Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:35 am ] |
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Forgot to mention that Los Alamos Composites ( a sponsor here) has CF rod with a 15 degree cut on them...ready to run into the headstock. That would save you the cutting/grinding process. And the dust mask would protedt BOTH LUNGS, not just a lung! 
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Wed Apr 18, 2007 6:54 am ] |
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Ya know, instead of wearing a dust mask, I just stick a wooden plug in my left nostril. I figure as long as my left lung stays clean, I'll always have one good one to breathe with.
I was thinking along the lines of the shop vac/dust collector idea you suggested. Thanks. Also, thanks a lot for the tip on Los Alamos. That's great. I might just go that route. |
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| Author: | Hank Mauel [ Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:07 am ] |
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[QUOTE=Todd Rose] Ya know, instead of wearing a dust mask, I just stick a wooden plug in my left nostril. I figure as long as my left lung stays clean, I'll always have one good one to breathe with.
[/QUOTE] Just don't use cocobolo for the nose plug! 
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| Author: | Shane Neifer [ Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:30 am ] |
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Todd, Jim Watts, the guy above that told you about the robo sander IS Los Alamos Composites. He is who I bought my CF from also. Keepin' it the family so ta speak! Shane |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:38 am ] |
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Thanks for all your helpful input, everybody! Much appreciated. |
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| Author: | TomS [ Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:15 am ] |
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Just another idea for those concerned about dust from cutting composites with CF or other reinforcements. We do it every day where I work and there is no airborne dust because we are only allowed to use wet processes. For small pieces, there are inexpensive wet saws made for cutting tile that work fine. The stock fence systems are cheesy, but I'm sure that could be overcome. Sears has one I've been eyeing that seems like a good deal to me. I may add it to my home tool list at some point. Craftsman 60085A 7 in Wet Tile Saw |
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| Author: | Dave Rickard [ Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:54 pm ] |
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[QUOTE=Hesh1956] [QUOTE=Todd Rose] I just stick a wooden plug in my left nostril. [/QUOTE] Pictures please?   [/QUOTE]
NOOOOOOOO
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:33 pm ] |
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Thanks for the suggestion, Tom. Using a wet method is and idea worth considering. |
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| Author: | j.Brown [ Sat Apr 21, 2007 11:50 am ] |
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CF is beats the heck out of chisels and planes, too. |
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