punkey71

My Feedback: (3)

Hi All,

How do you cut carbon fiber rods to the appropriate length? Can you just use a hack saw or some other common blade?

Thanks for the help.

Harold

aerobaticsdude

Best way I've found is with a dremel and cut off wheel.

DERF-54

My Feedback: (48)

Hey Harold, Yes use a cut off wheel on your dremel. Hurry up and finish that ultimate so we can see it fly. Hey how is that pitts flying?
Good Luck
Fred

punkey71

My Feedback: (3)

Hey Fred,

Ultimate is ready to be covered....Just gotta get all the CF rods cut and linkages squared away before I cover it.

The Pitts...well let's see....it's amazingly aerobatic and routinely scares the tar out of me...but a lot of fun! I'm actually trying to sell it or trade it and the Saito 72 in it for a Saito 180 for my H9 Edge. Somethings gotta go.... :-(

I have too many projects at one time....I have to finish one before I start the other! I keep flip-floping from plane to plane.

See you at the field....

Harold

probligo

If you use a dremel or similar cutoff wheel, use a cutting fluid of some sort to hold the dust. See the thread on the dangers of carbon fibre...

Personally, I cut (up to 2mm) rod with a Stanley blade and by rolling the rod.

punkey71

My Feedback: (3)

Stanley Blade...? Could you clarify that for me? I'm not familiar.

What about a pipe cutter? It seems that might be more of a straight cut as opposed to a dremel, which is only as straight as hold the tool against a tiny (1/8") rod.

Thanks,
Harold

Jetman007

My Feedback: (6)

Use a band saw for these small tubes and rods. Works well.

probligo

Stanley knife - or other heavy duty craft knife -

It realy tears up a scalpel blade quick.

I like the idea of the pipecutter....it would need to be sharp

Anything that potentially creates particles, from dust to shards, is potentially dangerous. Use safetyglasses, breathing filter and good gloves, then clean up after with a wet rag.

treemagnet

Hey, Punkey 71
fwiw, I use a "jewelers saw" for cutting CF. the blades are really, really, really fine- but cut rod and tube quickly and very clean (very little dust) and won't tend to splinter rods like band saw. You can get one at a jeweler's supply (mine's an old "Oscar Delux 50"). Blades- usually come by the GROSS( 144 ) in a tube the size of a pencil. May seem like a lot but they do dull quickly and break easily until you get used to the saw. the blades are about .008'' thick X .018"X 5 1/4'' long.