Working with carbon fiber

jdm61

jdm61

itinerant metal pounder
I am going to be working with carbon fiber sheet for the first time. I have heard that if you are machining the stuff, it is best to use diamond tools, but as I will be working the stuff by hand, do I need anythign special to cut it to ashpe, drill it and sand it down other than a good mask, gloves and long sleeve shirt?:D
 
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Dust collection and a good respirator. Carbon fiber is not good for your lungs or eyes...................
 
Thanks, guys. i will be working with .300 sheet and have to put "stepped" countersunk bolt holes in it, so I am a bit worried about that.
 
I got curious after I posted earlier in this thread and googled: carbon fiber dust collection. Some of the things I read about trying to contain the miniscule carbon fiber dust (I'm not sure HEPA dust collection is good enough btw) were scary as hell to me. Just cutting cf sheet with a scissorsxacto knife can be a problem, to say nothing of grinding/polishing, or machining, it with power tools. I understand why people SCREAM about being careful with this stuff now.

If I were a "professional" knifemaker I'd be SERIOUSLY worried about long term exposure to this stuff, much less rubbing it in your eyes, as it is I'm glad I don't HAVE to ever work with it. Some of the exotic woods are bad enough for someone with asthma and allergies.....

I get why in the past cutlers died young of lung problems caused by wood, pearl and smoke, some of our modern miracle materials are worse.

Syn
 
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Never had a big problem working with it. Cut it with a metal cutting bandsaw. Use sharp drill bits and belts. Wear rubber gloves at all times....stuff will have the skin between your fingers itching for days. Mask on at all times.
 
We're adults here. We have free will. No one can force anyone to take precautions in their own shop, although OSHA can enforce safety in a commercial enterprise I'm sure............... My intent isn't to scare anyone, merely to inform them that carbon fiber and other composites can cause them problems years later. It might take 40 years for a problem to show up. There are all sorts of things to pay attention to in ANY knifemaker's shop, dusts are only one of them. With hot metal, toxic chemicals, buffers, sharp edges, the list of hazards in our shops is long and varied. Eliminating them as much as possible is almost requirement (again this is my opinion).

My shop is in my garage, I think have a good dust collection system ($1000s not $100s spent on it) for what I do, but it's not good enough for carbon fiber or G10 IMHO. Realistically, I'm not sure how much more of an investment I'd need to make to be comfortable with its capability.

I just want people to be as safe and healthy as they can be.............

Syn
 
I have worked with lots of carbon fiber. I always recommend abrasive cutting discs over any sort of saw, and just take your time with it. Trying to cut too fast can raise splinters and overheat the epoxy.

I have been woefully lax about dust protection in the past... Lots of days spent machining carbon and knee deep in resin without a respirator. Lots of tissues full of black snot. I'm lucky i haven't felt any overt effects. Don't be like me ;)
 
I have never have seen the attraction of the stuff. It's very dangerous and offers no advantage over other materials. I won't use it.
 
I use it all the time, not for knives but my race boat is made entirely of carbon fiber. When working it, gloves, long sleeves, eye, ear, lung, and any other exposed skin should be protected. The Tyvek spray suits you can pick up at paint supply stores are wonderful for working with it. A few bucks goes a long way with not having your shirt full of invisable itchy hell that can cause problems sooner or later in life. Even a splinter in your finger is a major problem, your body won't reject it like a wood splinter, we are carbon based afterall. I like using abrasive discs to cut it as well.


-Xander
 
Bill,

The reason I use it is that customers love it. They are kookoo for the carbon fiber.

Function is first, but when all else equal I focus on what customers want rather than what is the most comfortable for me to use.
 
I just got my carbon fiber in yesterday. Weird stuff. I know that it is epoxy based, but when you tap it, it makes noises almost like a piece of ceramic floor tile. if obviously weighs less than regular ceramic. What kind of abrasive cutting discs are you guys talking about?
 
I'm not a safety nut. I regularly omit common safety gear, let alone towing the osha line. Do *NOT* cut or grind CF without respiratory protection.

Grind metal all day every day without a respirator if you want to be a badasss, but grinding carbon fiber without one is like sucking asbestos with a straw for kicks. Your body doesn't reject it, it's worse than crack.

Seriously, no internet scare tactics, be respectful of bad stuff, if you like breathing. YMMV, etc, usual caveats, but don't trust some troll with 1 post(Bizmarckk22), who hasn't happened to cough out a lung and die yet. We're talking "black lung", not "black boogers".
 
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Ome
javand said:
I'm not a safety nut. I regularly omit common safety gear, let alone towing the osha line. Do *NOT* cut or grind CF without respiratory protection.

Grind metal all day every day without a respirator if you want to be a badasss, but grinding carbon fiber without one is like sucking asbestos with a straw for kicks. Your body doesn't reject it, it's worse than crack.

Seriously, no internet scare tactics, be respectful of bad shit, if you like breathing. YMMV, etc, usual caveats, but don't trust some troll with 1 post(Bizmarckk22), who hasn't happened to cough out a lung and die yet. We're talking "black lung", not "black boogers".
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It is not fair or accurate to call me a troll. I am a lurker, but I don't appreciate the personal attack.

I don't post unless I have something new to contribute. Since I am new to knifemaking, I dont post much. However, I used to be pretty involved in the composites scene, buying CF by the roll for various aerospace applications. If there is something I have a lot of experience in, it is composites of all types.

I don't recommend cutting the stuff without a respirator, and I never have. I was simply sharing my experience on the matter, which I would wager stretches beyond any but the most prolific knife maker. I didn't wear a respirator in the good-ol-days because my mentors didn't wear one... I didn't feel like I could justify the purchase. I wear one now, but they still don't, and they have been making composite parts a lot longer than I have. Take that for what you will.

-Alex
 
jdm61 said:
I just got my carbon fiber in yesterday. Weird stuff. I know that it is epoxy based, but when you tap it, it makes noises almost like a piece of ceramic floor tile. if obviously weighs less than regular ceramic. What kind of abrasive cutting discs are you guys talking about?
Click to expand...

I prefer a dremel cutoff wheel for the fine control it gives me.
 
javand said:
I'm not a safety nut. I regularly omit common safety gear, let alone towing the osha line. Do *NOT* cut or grind CF without respiratory protection.

Grind metal all day every day without a respirator if you want to be a badasss, but grinding carbon fiber without one is like sucking asbestos with a straw for kicks. Your body doesn't reject it, it's worse than crack.

Seriously, no internet scare tactics, be respectful of bad shit, if you like breathing. YMMV, etc, usual caveats, but don't trust some troll with 1 post(Bizmarckk22), who hasn't happened to cough out a lung and die yet. We're talking "black lung", not "black boogers".
Click to expand...

We can do without the name calling. The language needs to be cleaned up as well.
 
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