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DaveTheKiwi · Nov 05, 2012, 03:01 AM

Any tips? If I had a bandsaw, I'd use that, but alas I do not.

Hacksaw? Knife?

Tips for a clean cut?

Thanks.

SlowBarless · Nov 05, 2012, 06:10 AM

Definitely not a knife, you will split the fibers. Best thing is a cutoff wheel on a dremel or a razor saw. Standard hacksaw blades are often to rough.

As always, wear a proper mask. Carbon dust is worse then almost any other type of dust. So play safe.

Stupot46 · Nov 05, 2012, 06:26 AM

Wrap the cut area in masking tape,makes a cleaner cut.Razor saw cuts well,doesn't raise as much dust.
Stuart

rcav8r2 · Nov 06, 2012, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stupot46

Wrap the cut area in masking tape,makes a cleaner cut.Razor saw cuts well,doesn't raise as much dust.
Stuart

Yep; this is what I do. Works really well.

DaveTheKiwi · Nov 06, 2012, 01:25 PM

So doesn't seem to be a good way with hand tools?

rcav8r2 · Nov 06, 2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveTheKiwi

So doesn't seem to be a good way with hand tools?

See posts 3 & 4.

OldDmbThms · Nov 06, 2012, 01:50 PM

On carbon fiber strips I had good luck with wire cutters, but I use a cut off wheel for tubes and solid rods.

Stupot46 · Nov 06, 2012, 01:56 PM

All you need.Personally I avoid power tools with carbon.
Stuart

DaveTheKiwi · Nov 06, 2012, 02:51 PM

Sorry thought a razor saw was a powered one

Thanks all.

leccyflyer · Nov 10, 2012, 11:54 AM

Razor saw over a wet paper towel to catch the dust. Nasty stuff, not to be trifled with.

Carbon tube can be cut neatly using a tubing cutter, which doesn't make anything like as much dust.

Curtis Suter · Nov 10, 2012, 12:14 PM

This may interest you:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...3#post10986133

I use a Master Airscrew Balsa Stripper as some unidirectional carbon fiber isn't really perfectly unidirectional. So if you start to strip a piece and pull full length as in the link above it'll change width.
http://masterairscrew.com/balsastripper.aspx

So I run this stripper once or twice down the carbon fiber, then carefully pull it apart and take a pair of scissors and cut the strands that weren't unidirectional.

Curtis

flypaper 2 · Nov 11, 2012, 06:07 AM

I tried a bandsaw with a metal cutting blade. It rounded off the teeth in a matter of seconds making the blade useless. Much like a grinder on the teeth. I use a mini hacksaw.

Gord.

Nov 05, 2012, 03:01 AM	#1
DaveTheKiwi Registered User New Zealand, Wellington, Lower Hutt Joined Sep 2011 61 Posts	Quick q: how do you cut carbon strips? Any tips? If I had a bandsaw, I'd use that, but alas I do not. Hacksaw? Knife? Tips for a clean cut? Thanks.

Nov 06, 2012, 01:56 PM	#8
Stupot46 I don't like your altitude Joined Sep 2011 2,217 Posts	All you need.Personally I avoid power tools with carbon. Stuart Images View all Images in thread Views: 43

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Nov 05, 2012, 06:10 AM	#2
SlowBarless I am actually really slow Brisbane Joined Jun 2008 806 Posts	Definitely not a knife, you will split the fibers. Best thing is a cutoff wheel on a dremel or a razor saw. Standard hacksaw blades are often to rough. As always, wear a proper mask. Carbon dust is worse then almost any other type of dust. So play safe.

Nov 05, 2012, 06:26 AM	#3
Stupot46 I don't like your altitude Joined Sep 2011 2,217 Posts	Wrap the cut area in masking tape,makes a cleaner cut.Razor saw cuts well,doesn't raise as much dust. Stuart

Nov 06, 2012, 01:25 PM	#5
DaveTheKiwi Registered User New Zealand, Wellington, Lower Hutt Joined Sep 2011 61 Posts	So doesn't seem to be a good way with hand tools?

Nov 06, 2012, 01:50 PM	#7
OldDmbThms Registered User United States, CA, Rio Vista Joined Feb 2012 131 Posts	On carbon fiber strips I had good luck with wire cutters, but I use a cut off wheel for tubes and solid rods.

Nov 06, 2012, 02:51 PM	#9
DaveTheKiwi Registered User New Zealand, Wellington, Lower Hutt Joined Sep 2011 61 Posts	Sorry thought a razor saw was a powered one Thanks all.

Nov 10, 2012, 11:54 AM	#10
leccyflyer All under control, Grommit! NW England Joined Sep 2000 11,708 Posts	Razor saw over a wet paper towel to catch the dust. Nasty stuff, not to be trifled with. Carbon tube can be cut neatly using a tubing cutter, which doesn't make anything like as much dust.

Nov 10, 2012, 12:14 PM	#11
Curtis Suter TailwindGliders United States, Mt, Helena Joined Apr 2002 3,800 Posts	This may interest you: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...3#post10986133 I use a Master Airscrew Balsa Stripper as some unidirectional carbon fiber isn't really perfectly unidirectional. So if you start to strip a piece and pull full length as in the link above it'll change width. http://masterairscrew.com/balsastripper.aspx So I run this stripper once or twice down the carbon fiber, then carefully pull it apart and take a pair of scissors and cut the strands that weren't unidirectional. Curtis

Nov 11, 2012, 06:07 AM	#12
flypaper 2 Canadian Bacon Kingston, Canada Joined Jun 2004 10,596 Posts	I tried a bandsaw with a metal cutting blade. It rounded off the teeth in a matter of seconds making the blade useless. Much like a grinder on the teeth. I use a mini hacksaw. Gord.