What are the best methods to cut carbon fiber sheets...

[seamax]

I have some carbon fiber sheets I want to cut. I want a clean cut instead of leaving blunt or raggedy edges. The heavy duty scissors I use leaves thease raggedy edges so is there an alternative tool/method I can use.

The carbon fiber sheets are about .5mm thick so it's flexible but rigid. I will not only cut straight but have to cut some round edges also.

[Roadstergal]

I have not had the fortune to have sheets of CF on which to practice cutting, but my default answer to every cutting question is "Dremel."

[dgyver]

Use the fiber reinforced disks. A variable speed dremel works the best. Lightly wet sand the cut edges.

[scottpA_GS]

More importantly...

What are you making !!!

[dgyver]

Also, I will use an orbital sander to even out straight cuts that are not so straight. Make sure you wear eye/face protection and a dust mask. I use a large vacuum that I use right at the cutting wheel.

[Kerry]

This is somewhat off-topic, but does anyone out there have experience with Kydex or Concealex?   I understand that it is thermoplastic sheet stock that you can cut, drill, heat, and mold -- to create holsters, sheaths, and all kinds of other stuff.

I first heard about it while browsing through a book on GPS.  The author described how to make a belt-mounted holster for a GPS unit.  I don't have anything specific in mind, but there must be something useful that I could try to make out of it for the bike.  :dunno:

[seamax]

Thanks guys! I will show you guys what I'm making once I'm done. It's top secret!

[paternoster2012]

I have a kydex holster for one of my guns

much too bulky and heavy to make a fender or something
you could probably use it to make some sort of holder for something
maybe an mp3 holder or something

I dont see many uses for it on a motorcycle tho

[Kerry]

Yeah, I was thinking of something small-ish.  Maybe a bracket for an accessory outlet (cigarette lighter) or a replacement gauge cluster holder, or an auxiliary light/switch panel, or ... I don't know!

There is one photo per page on this 3-page thread from a message board for flashlight enthusiasts. ( :dunno: )

Here are direct links to the photos, showing a few simple items that have been made out of Kydex:

http://www.quapp.de/newarc421.jpg
http://img9.exs.cx/img9/8120/holster3fg.jpg
http://img192.exs.cx/img192/8933/alltogether1kx.jpg[/list:u]PS - Apparently you can buy the stuff in various thicknesses, colors, and finishes.  Does anyone have experience with a particular vendor?

[raylarrabee]

Kerry, did you thind that message board because you were searching for info on Kydex, or because you are a closet flashlight enthusiast?  

(not that there's anything wrong with that... )

[paternoster2012]

mmmm...surefire

[Kerry]

Kerry, did you thind that message board because you were searching for info on Kydex, or because you are a closet flashlight enthusiast?

I was searching for info on Kydex.  That particular hit stood out among all of the knife sheath and gun holster pages.