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pb4ugo · 05.13.2009, 01:06 AM

DO NOT USE A WATERJET!!!!

I actually posted a thread some time back with sample pics of very clean cuts on CF by a waterjet. I have completely changed my opinion. I got lots of delaminating at the corners when they actually cut my chassis, and am out nearly $100 in material.

I don't have any experience with laser on CF, but it seems to me I remember reading that it doesn't work well. At least do a trial cut, and be prepared that it may do worse on the final cut than the sample.

I have quite a few years in amateur CF, including laying-up custom bent pieces. The BEST way to cut it accurately on a budget is to use a router table. Yes, a woodworking router table. Get a fiberglass router bit (available from online tool stores if not local) and cut away with your fence guides. Be sure to be wearing a mask and have the vacuum running! If you are having internal cut-outs (as your drawing shows), you can make yourself a pattern first from wood. Mount a pin the same diameter as your bit immediately above your bit in a v-notched piece of wood secured by clamps or the like to the table, and drill a pilot hole in the CF, and run the pattern using the pin against the wood as a guide. This will work just as well as a pattern-cutting router bit (which for some reason aren't available in the fiberglass variety) does on wood.

Otherwise, full cnc is the way to go.

	(#19)
pb4ugo RC-Monster Aluminum Offline Posts: 517 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Utah	05.13.2009, 01:06 AM DO NOT USE A WATERJET!!!! I actually posted a thread some time back with sample pics of very clean cuts on CF by a waterjet. I have completely changed my opinion. I got lots of delaminating at the corners when they actually cut my chassis, and am out nearly $100 in material. I don't have any experience with laser on CF, but it seems to me I remember reading that it doesn't work well. At least do a trial cut, and be prepared that it may do worse on the final cut than the sample. I have quite a few years in amateur CF, including laying-up custom bent pieces. The BEST way to cut it accurately on a budget is to use a router table. Yes, a woodworking router table. Get a fiberglass router bit (available from online tool stores if not local) and cut away with your fence guides. Be sure to be wearing a mask and have the vacuum running! If you are having internal cut-outs (as your drawing shows), you can make yourself a pattern first from wood. Mount a pin the same diameter as your bit immediately above your bit in a v-notched piece of wood secured by clamps or the like to the table, and drill a pilot hole in the CF, and run the pattern using the pin against the wood as a guide. This will work just as well as a pattern-cutting router bit (which for some reason aren't available in the fiberglass variety) does on wood. Otherwise, full cnc is the way to go.