cutting carbon or fibreglass
Turbo Mini Forums

what's the easiest method people have found to cut the carbon and/or fibreglass front ends out there? particularly the headlight and blinker holes?

with a hammer.

for some reason i don't think that'll work...

Dremel with a fine blade in the end worked well on carbon fibre for me!

Lots of dust extraction,goggles and facemask,you don't want this dust on you.Then use dremel,angle grinder for big cuts or a jig saw,but you'll use some blades!

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+1 BFH

On 5th Oct, 2014 Shauna said:
What that's crazy, you go commando hahaha! How heavy is your helmet ?

Worked at fairline boats for a hile so lots of grp etc, if you have an air compressor, an airsaw with half a hacksaw blade cant be beaten for neat cuts. I dont have one but used makita jigsaw blade recipricating saw, with metal blades.

Metal blades dont snag or rip like some due to the fine cut, so even if your using a jigsaw try and get metal blades.

Hope that helps.

Hold your breath while cutting it aswell lol

okay. well, now I just have to put in for a front end! lol.

I used an angle grinder with 1mm cutting discs... it makes a mess lol

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I have used all the above. I also use a fine hacksaw blade with some tape on one end to hold it.

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FG experience only.

1mm cutting discs (messy) or very fine (ie, metal cutting) blade in a jigsaw.

The only thing I would add is, when using the jigsaw, whenever possible run it on the matting/resin side of the FG, that way the teeth pull through the gel coat from its exposed surface, not from underneath, so you get a cleaner edge.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

The only trouble with a jogsaw is the 90 degree cutting angle isnt ideal for a neat cut. To get a neat cut you need to be cutting at a small angle so it dosnt snag, but its not always acheivable without certain tools.

Best for CFRP by far are the quick change dremel cutting discs. The only annoying thing is if you are right handed you get a face of carbon dust!

This is FORD country, on a quiet day you can hear Vauxhalls rusting.

I just used a 0.8mm cutting disc, holesaws and some drill attachment things that look like conical meat tenderisers but they removed material quickly and neatly.

anything diamond coated is the best idea (for carbon) not sure about fibreglass but im sure its the same scenario. we use diamond coated tools at work and its great. no de-lamination or splinters etc.

for eg

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TZ-6PC-MINI-Diam...=item2c61666562

Edited by Johnny on 21st Mar, 2013.