Where to get cut off wheels for cutting CF?

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#1

I have been searching for a few days now and am trying to put together a system for cutting carbon fiber. I was thinking of getting a pneumatic die grinder and then putting a 1" or 2" diamond blade on it, but I have been unable to find any good sources for diamond cut off wheels. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I was also wondering, I have been told to try to have all our tools be pneumatic to avoid spark issues so I was going to stay away from the Dremmel Saw Max and instead get an Aircat die grinder. Would the Saw Max be better? I am mostly looking for an all around tool we can use to cut CF when we can’t use our band saw.

Thanks!

#2

These work ok.
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Rotary/1-1-2-in-Diamond-Coated-Rotary-Tool-Cut-Off-Wheel/8112377.p

Amazon has a few as well.

#3

Straight carbon laminates are actually fairly easy to cut. Any typical abrasive wheel will do it, so anything meant for cutting metal will work. It’s only when you start to add other plies like Kevlar does it become a bit more tricky. You don’t really need to spring for a diamond tipped wheel, although it also doesn’t hurt. A standard fiber reinforced abrasive wheel is good enough for normal cuts; if it’s a tight radius cut just up the thickness to make sure it doesn’t shatter.

#4

And indeed use air tools for carbon. Carbon dust is conductive, and ends up in your electric tool. Always good for a few good Sparks!

#5

Thanks for mentioning that , Herman, I was thinking electric tools were bad as a fire hazard, didn’t even think of that.

#6

I’ve blown up a dremel once because of carbon dust. And it was only used on a downdraft table.

Yup, I’m talented.

#7

I use the Perma-Grit wheels, and I like them a lot.

http://www.permagrit.com/index.php?cPath=70&osCsid=f0bglok1e3hfv6nuf02maod7j1

#8

bodico.com has a selection and https://www.diamondtooling.com/ has everything and will do custom sizes for wheels and arbor holes

#9

Diamond wheels are the go.

#10

80% of my work is CF repair
I’ve been using an abrasive cut off wheel with a die grinder for a long time. also an air saw works nice. a regular hack saw blade fits these type. just cut the blade in 3 pieces and you have three blades.

Herman is right about carbon dust. about 12 years ago my 7 1/2 hp compressor motor high ordered and blew flames from grinding dust.
I’ve never owned a Dremel air pencil grinders are great

…

#11

I just covered the vents on my dremel with bits of cut up dust mask. Haven’t had any more issues with sparks and the dust mask breathes fine so no issues with overheating.

#12

Continental Diamond Tool and Diatrim both make diamond tools. CDT is generally cheaper but still good quality.