working carbon fiber

Nebulae said:
I am planing on doing the same, but with a tungsten carbide edge.

If I were to make a CF sheath, how would I get the blade out while it is setting up, and how would I apply enough pressure to make it light.
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When I make a CF wet molded sheath I use tubular woven sleeves with a sleeve or two of kevlar as liner. You allow it to cure on the knife. The amount of epoxy (and therefore "lightness" as well as finish) is controlled by how much you saturate with resin and subsequently squish out or sponge off.

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IIRC I left the blade in for the whole cure, with food wrap as a release film and vacuum bagging to apply pressure (BTW I did this many times and wrinkles can be very frustrating!!!) It had a flat side that I laminated first, then the knife, then release film, then the cf/foam, then... hmm, it was a while ago, possibly bleeder film and cloth, then vac bag
 
btw I wanted to do the tungsten carbide too but never got around to it... got some presharpened tc and a broken ceramic knife to try as well, let us see how it went! oh and I just picked up some unidirectional CF plate, handy for adding strength to the blade in a particular axis (bidirectional weaves split their strength in half) but not as fun as cloth
 
Cool thanks I'll definitly try that. I also thought about buying a cheap ceramic knife, and breacking it up, and I may still do that too, but I settled for an expensive custom WC piece for the increased toughness. It will be about 3 weeks before I get it, but I will definitly post pics.


ETA I am thinking about possibly making a sheath/holster for my cell phone, but I can see this ending horribly. What if I put it in a plastic bag, and wrap CF around it, I would probably have to forget the pressure. any Bright Ideas?
 
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dont mean to necro post, but I got my carbide piece in, and I have a few New questions. First off it is only 1/32" thick, so I am terrified of breaking it, so should I laminate it up with the CF cloth, or should I make a couple of CF plates and then sandwich it. I am just afraid If I apply any pressure it could snap.

Also How do you guys finish CF I took some up to 320 grit, and it looks and feels weird
 
I use cloth, make your sandwich inside some release film, then inside foam, then into your press... my finishes on cf aren't great, depends a lot on the process you used to laminate
 
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