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What do anyone do when they cut carbon/Kevlar weave? I experimented with thin ca just on the edges around the template to bind the fiber then cutting, this keeps the weave from fraying. And seams to be pliable enough to still lay. I'm talking about just the very edges, like 2mm all around, I have taped before and then cut but then I have to leave a little of the tape on the edges, I want to know what others are doing? The ca glue seems to work and makes a very clean cut. Is this a good idea or bad?
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Here is what I do (Thank You, Brian Buaas!)....
Get some 1.5oz fiberglass woven cloth... REALLY light stuff... Might be called "vail cloth" or something like that...
lay out your carbon fiber cloth, very LIGHTLY spray on some Scotch Super 77 spray adhesive onto the carbon, let it set for a few seconds, then apply the fiberglass to the cloth... Obviously, you'd want to do this on the BACK side of the carbon.
Once it's set in place, you can cut your carbon how you like and lay it up. The fiberglass will hold the edges in place. The epoxy will set right through the Super 77.
In addition, when I am setting the carbon into the hull, I shoot the back of it with a LIGHT coating of Super 77, and then get it set into place. Then I squeegee the epoxy through the cloth and lay it up. Keeps the carbon in place while you epoxy it. Really helps on complexly shaped interiors.
This is how I've done all of the carbon reinforcing in all my boats for years.Darin E. Jordan - Renton, WA
"Self-proclaimed skill-less leader in the hobby." -
Thanks, just to make sure, you are backing the entire sheet of carbon with the fiberglass, not just the edges, right? And I had always coated the surface with resin first then lay in the carbon fiber with another coat on top to squeegee excess off, that's fine also right, just preference? Or better one way or the other? As I don't have too many builds to my credit so I'm always wanting to know more, thanksComment
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I veil the entire back of the carbon I'm using.
You can lay it into the hull your way, but doing it my way makes sure that the carbon is fully formed to the surface and won't shift around. Either way results in a decent layup. My way just ends up looking cleaner. The glass backing helps to keep the squeegee from fraying the edges when working the resin into the cloth as well...Darin E. Jordan - Renton, WA
"Self-proclaimed skill-less leader in the hobby."Comment
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Will try your way, as I have experienced the fibre shifting on me when squeegeeing out excess, and well ended up wearing a good bit of resin playing with and waiting for it to start to set with my fingers in it! That time I should have been on video for what not to do and look at this idiot! Well like I've said before I'm still learning and thanks for the input, as the more I build the more I personally have been wanting perfection, building to Me is almost as much fun as beating the neighbor at the river! Thanks againComment
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What tool do you use to "squeegee"?Comment
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I usually use pre cut pieces of thin cardboard so I can use them as much as I want or just use a piece at a time, able to remove some excess resin that way also, and like I said I pre cut pieces if I have a curve or special seam I want to glide over, and fingersComment
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What I do is use a aerosol can of womens hairspray and lightly spray where I want to cut the carbon.
Wait for a few minutes and spray another layer. Don't use too much. Wait for 5 minutes before cutting.
Obviously you still have to be careful when working the piece, and another good thing is that the hairspray does not seem to prevent the epoxi soaking in well.
AnbjørnComment
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great!
Nortavlag Bulc Comment
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I'm confused as to why you guys are needing to "squeegee" the resin...maybe you are just using it as a term for something other than what I consider a squeegee?
I think apppying epoxy first is potentially stronger, but if Darrin has been doing it his way for years it must be strong enough. It would certainly be easier if you struggle at getting the CF in the right spot the first time laying it in the boat.
I use a very thin line of masking tape on the back side of the cloth to hold it together, which makes it cut much easier as well. This could be an option if you don't want to add the fiberglass.
Darrin:
Have you ever tried just applying the spray adhesive to the area you are cutting and not adding the fiberglass? I would imagine the adhesive alone might keep the cloth together, but I'm guessing you have tried it and didn't like it for one reason or another?Comment
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Hey thanks again, I decided to just go with a thin line of scotch tape, definitely makes cutting a lot cleaner. I only had 2oz fiberglass for backing and I thought it would be bulky. I did use the idea of adhesive , that works wonders! Was able to place the cf perfect on some of the inside corners, and the tape on the edges isn't seen or compromising the strength. Thanks guysComment
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As for the squeegee I am referring to working the resin onto/into the cloth, guess squeegee might not have been the right choice of wordsComment
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I'm working with carbon Kevlar at the moment and the light cloth and the back works much better than tape or glue because it holds the weaves lines perfectly. Great tip Darin! Thanks, BruiserComment
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That's a super good tip, Darin. Best I've heard in a while building wise.Comment
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