Keeping CF Weave in Shape

[Clancy]

Can anyone give me (us) some hints on how to keep CF Weave from fraying & falling apart once you've cut it to shape and before you can get it glued down.

The only way I managed was to put masking tape on it first, cut it to shape, glue it down and then tediously remove the masking tape after 12 hrs when the epoxy was still only semi-solid.

[kiwigeo]

Can anyone give me (us) some hints on how to keep CF Weave from fraying & falling apart once you've cut it to shape and before you can get it glued down.

The only way I managed was to put masking tape on it first, cut it to shape, glue it down and then tediously remove the masking tape after 12 hrs when the epoxy was still only semi-solid.

Yeah its a pain in the arse but Ive managed to tame the stuff. I use this tow which you can split into narrower lengths if you do it carefully and the stuff stays together: http://www.carbonfiber.com.au/prod44.htm In the photo Im applying a full width length of the stuff thats come straight off the roll. For the main braces Id use about 3/4 of the full width tow.

When Im applying the stuff I guide it on gently using a small paint brush. If a few fibres start seperating I gently push them back with the brush. If you start getting heavy with the fibres and spend too much time getting one stray fibre under control youll end up pulling off more fibres.

[Dominic]

I think Craig is talking about cutting some mat for a bridge patch and handling it so it stays together.
Good tips anyway Marty.
Not sure Craig, you could cut it between a couple of plastic forms and keep it there until you glue it down. And leave it until the very last minute to cut it and drop is right onto the pre-wet plate. I've only thought about it but i have 3 tops that I will be needing more hands on skills so let me know if any of my theories have practical applications.

How are things?
Dom

[jeffhigh]

It's been a few months since I did it and I have already forgotten...

[kiwigeo]

You could try applying cling wrap to the matting to hold it together. Prick hole in it to let resin squeeze out through. Once resin is set peel off the cling wrap.

Havent tried this but its a suggestion from CF place I bought my tow from.

[Kim]

You could try spraying it with a bit of lacquer before you cut it...the hairspray theory.



Cheers

KIm

[Mike Thomas]

Kim's hairspray suggestion is worth trying. Although I haven't tried it with carbon cloth, I have on many occasions used it with lightweight fibreglass cloth, and it works well. A light dusting with hairspray and it holds together nicely (just like in that photo of Kim, above ). You still have to handle it carefully though. As far as I can tell, the lacquer doesn't seem to inhibit the wetting out of the cloth with epoxy.

[Dominic]

Craig, is that the stuff you got from me? There might be better weaves that will hold together better when cut. Twill weave maybe?
Dom

[Clancy]

Dom's right, it's the matting I'm refering too.
When I cut curves & corners it all goes out of shape when I try to lay it down on the (glued) surface.
Kim's hairspray trick sounds like just the thing.

They dug his pink hair curlers
They dug his sequined gown
They dug his Stratocaster
They dug his pornographic crown
- Grinderman : "Get It On"
An ode to Kim????

[Dominic]

Well you better work it out soon Craig so you can show me how to do it.

From making surfboards and cutting lots of glass I know a very steady but deliberate hand is best. And shapen scissors on a medium sanding belt or disc. The little nicks from the grit hold the fibres and stop them shooting out the front of the scissors.

I recon two templates top and bottom with the weave in between (you could even use small clamps) and then cut around it.

The must be a way.
Dom

[Paul B]

Somebody told me that trick about using masking tape and then cutting years ago when I made boats, but that only works until you try to pull the masking tape off and end up with a masking tape/fibre mess on your hands.

Use some blutack to hold your fibres together. Easy to get it off - which is where the problem is with tape. Use a good pair of sharp scissors.

Anyone tried cutting Kevlar with scissors? Now that is funny!

If you're just laying straight fibre strands, you can put a blob of blutack on one end, plait the fibres together and bung on another blob of blutack on the other end. Then do your layup. Looks nice too!