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| Methods for cutting CF sheet material? http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=21034 |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Methods for cutting CF sheet material? |
I got some CF sheet material from Los Alamos, which I'm using to cap some braces. This material is made up of unidirectional fibers. I asked Jim how to make cuts parallel to the fibers, and he suggested a knife and straight edge. I have done some cuts this way on .030" thick sheet, using an X-acto, but I found it very difficult and went through several blades. I wonder if any of you who use this type of CF sheet for capping braces have come up with some better ways. I would think I could cut it with a cut off wheel, but I imagine it would be difficult to make a nice, straight cut that way. Any suggestions? Thanks - |
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| Author: | Howard Klepper [ Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Methods for cutting CF sheet material? |
Knife, and then breaking it where the knife doesn't go all the say through. .030 is pretty heavy, though. |
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| Author: | Jim Watts [ Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Methods for cutting CF sheet material? |
Todd, Use a utility knife (much stouter than an exacto) and clamp a straight edge in place, you'll need to go over it a few times. |
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| Author: | Brook Moore [ Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Methods for cutting CF sheet material? |
The utility knife for sure. I once ripped some strips on my small tile cutting saw (set up like a miniature table saw.) That cut it fine, but that is a lot of expensive dust, and it is a pain to guide such thin material accurately. |
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Sun Feb 15, 2009 9:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Methods for cutting CF sheet material? |
Thanks, Howard, Jim, and Brook. I'll try a utility knife next time. Clamping the straight edge is a good idea, too. Both of my hands - the left holding the straight edge and the right holding the knife - got really tired as I scored and scored about a million times before the knife finally made it all the way through. Thanks again - |
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