tips for cutting & sanding carbon/kevlar

Anyone got any tips on trimming carbon/kevlar hybrid parts after they have been infused??

Most of the c/k parts we have made before did not have the edges shown but we need to make some that do with nice clean edges.

I know its a pita at the best of times with the kevlar fraying when sanding and cutting but these are pretty complex mouldings so something like waterjet is out the question!! :slight_smile:

Invest in an air compressor, a palm sander/die grinder, and a downdraft table/dust collection unit.

If you aren’t doing more than small pieces every once and awhile, a dremel tool. I always used the drum sander tips.

Finish with hand sanding with like, 400-800 grit, depending on part and application.

KEVLAR however, don’t ask me. I hate it.
I’ve spent the last 2 days and at least 5 hours total trying to cut 2’x2’ shot panels, from 1/2 to 1 full inch thick of kevlar with a diamond wetsaw.
And I only have 6 panels.

cutting plain ol carbon fibre is no problem, like you say diamond wetsaw works very well or the drum sanders on a dremel. We have a large wet tile cutting machine with the blade on rails and it works fantastic for cutting thick panels. Cut length is about 900mm.

Kevlar though :frowning: and especially carbon/kevlar hybrid, looks so damn nice but those frayed ends put me off doing a lot of cosmetic bits with it…

Cured Kevlar, invert a bandsaw blade and use it that way.

I’ve been wanting a bandsaw. I actually found about 10 used ones on Craigslist for under $200. One was only $40 for a table top model.