Cutting Carbon Fiber

[Mike Cathey]

I just cut some 1/8th inch carbon-foam-carbon sheet and some 3 layer carbon sheet I made and it just KILLED the blade on my cheapo bandsaw. I might try a saber saw with a metal blade. What works the best?

 

[Mark Poole ModVP]

Diamond edge blades work best if you can find them. Cuts fast and clean.

 

[gil sonsino]

C.F. is very,very abrasive.... in my case I use a bandsaw for stainsteel but don't think that blade will survive for long time too! Gill

 

[Hydro Junkie]

I found some diamond blades, Mike. Here's a link:

http://www.bandsawbladesdirect.com/band-saw-blades/diamond-tipped-band-saw-blade?limit=all

 

[Glenn Gates]

I use a metal cutting band saw on the slowest speed. Most wood cutting band saws just run too fast.

 

[Ray Sametz]

Recall someone suggesting a wet saw that cuts ceramic tile.

 

[moparbarn]

Wet tile saw works great! kills dust, too. think it was terry keeley or maybe mark poole that i first heard suggest it.

 

[David Bryant]

speaking of band-saw's, are these models (listed below) worth buying?

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-14-inch-band-saw/p-00932607000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-1-3-hp-3.5-amp-10inch-band-saw/p-00921400000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

I'm looking for a unit to cut: maybe up to .250in thick plywood, some hardwood .250in thick, carbon-fibre .125in thick, and possibly aluminum up to .125in thick.

 

[Glenn Gates]

I would not buy either one, They are wood cutting band saws and will run too fast and overheat the blades. Try a metal cutting Horoz./ Vert. band saw at the lowest speed. You can also use a inexpensive spray mist system to lengthen blade life and knock down the dust.

 

[Hydro Junkie]

For cutting anything but wood, I agree with Glenn. I personally have to top one and, using it to cut ply and hardwood, it's a great machine. It can be set up with several different blades so it's very versatile but it's not one to cut metals or composites with. As for the bottom one, it's too small, in my opinion, to be really good for cutting out some of the oversized frames used in the larger boats due to lack of throat width between the blade and frame.

 

[Glenn Gates]

I'll make this as simple as I can, Over 20 years ago I bought the horiz/vert band saw from Grizzly imports in WA. Knowing that blades do not last forever- I bought 5 extra blades (1/2" wide and 18 TPI). Nothing special about the blades. . After cutting carbon fiber and stainless steel as well as hard woods I still have 3 new blades left .The inexpensive spray mist systems can be found at Enco online.

 

[Darin Jordan]

Like Glenn, I just use my large (99" blade) bandsaw, knowing the blades will be junk shortly for anything else.

I've started looking at converting my Craftsman 56 7/8" bladed (10") bandsaw over to strictly cut carbon. I usually only cut tubing or flat sheet, and nothing too thick. I started shopping around for diamond or abbrasive blades.

So far, found this source: http://www.bandsawbladesdirect.com/doall-diamond-band-saw-blades

Still looking for others.

Looks like a 56 7/8" Diamond blade is going to be around $120.00, but it may be worth it to get good clean cuts, and also to not have to constantly convert blades back and forth.

 

[Mike Rappold]

If you do not want to use a bandsaw, the #543 cutoff wheel from Dremel works great too. It is a tungsten carbide impregnated wheel.

Mike