dparm

Due to some poor quality control and/or design, my Comptech intake lid rubs on the radiator stay. It seems like I just need to cut a tiny notch on the edge so it will clear and stop vibrating/rubbing.

So my question is this: can I take my Dremel to the edge of this carbon fibre piece? Or is it going to splinter and crack? I'm not removing much material here, but I'd hate to ruin it.

Boofster

Dremel works great.

It will become fine dust.

Please wear proper masks so it does not get in your lungs. It's like asbestos crystaline.

dparm

Well I'm not even certain if that part is pure CF or is just fibreglass with CF on top. The bottom is definitely rough and wrinkled, but doesn't have the CF weave on it.

ace123

The piece you use should be harder than the carbon to cut it well. In industry, diamond particulates are commonly deposited onto the cutting tool surface as abrasives to make precision cuts on carbon fiber composite structures. I suppose a ceramic such as aluminum oxide could work, but I've never tried it. If it's fiberglass with one layer of carbon, it will be a lot easier than if it's all CF.

The big problem I'd expect is that you might get splintering/splitting of the fibers depending on where in the weave you cut and such. You have the all same issues as cutting woven fiberglass except the carbon itself is a greater challenge to cut than glass.

If you find you won't be cutting the fibers though then go right ahead--you'd just be cutting epoxy or whatever resin they used. If you go too fast, the plastic can muck up and make a mess.

Stratocaster

Be sure to ware long sleaves and gloves. Tape the gloves to the sleaves. I itiched for a week after I last cut CF.

boyguan

dremel will work great. i had to use it on my aut cooling plate. try to blow any dust off of you, not wash it as the fine particles will stick to ur skin.

Azngtboi88

If you dont need to cut too much off, sanding with some heavy grit works really well too. Again be really careful with the dust!

dparm

Dremel worked fine. I had two of the aluminum oxide cutting bits, which were hard enough to chew through it without splintering or cracking.

Just took it slow and went on low-speed.

K1LL3R 1NS1D3

should be alright. just come back with some epoxy reson and fill in the exposed areas after ur cut is made and it will be just like you never touched it

ahrmike

another thought...water the surrounding down so it picks up the dust - then wipe it up