Drilling Carbon Fibre
Discussion
I have recently acquired a carbon fibre bonnet and I'm looking at the possibility of drilling large holes in it to allow airflow to the intake.
What do I need to know about drilling carbon fibre? Can I use a normal hole saw designed for metal? I've never worked with carbon before so I don't know what to expect and don't want to ruin my new bonnet.
I've had a search online and not found an awful lot so any help would be appreciated.
What do I need to know about drilling carbon fibre? Can I use a normal hole saw designed for metal? I've never worked with carbon before so I don't know what to expect and don't want to ruin my new bonnet.
I've had a search online and not found an awful lot so any help would be appreciated.
I work as a development engineer at a company that makes military helmets, we often have to drill carbon fibre. What size hole are you talking about?
You can use normal drills, just don't expect them to last long and as said, you don't want to be breathing in carbon dust, so a decent mask is essential and do it outside!
You can use normal drills, just don't expect them to last long and as said, you don't want to be breathing in carbon dust, so a decent mask is essential and do it outside!
Personally, I would drill small and then use one of these to get the size you need.
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/hand-reamer-bits/045...
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/hand-reamer-bits/045...
nellyleelephant said:
I work as a development engineer at a company that makes military helmets, we often have to drill carbon fibre. What size hole are you talking about?
You can use normal drills, just don't expect them to last long and as said, you don't want to be breathing in carbon dust, so a decent mask is essential and do it outside!
You almost sound over qualified to answer my questions. You can use normal drills, just don't expect them to last long and as said, you don't want to be breathing in carbon dust, so a decent mask is essential and do it outside!
Holes would probably be approximately 50mm but I've not looked very closely yet.
P I Staker said:
You almost sound over qualified to answer my questions.
Holes would probably be approximately 50mm but I've not looked very closely yet.
Haha, don't know about that!Holes would probably be approximately 50mm but I've not looked very closely yet.
50mm is a big hole, I certainly wouldn't want to drill it! Biggest we do is 15 ish mm, not sure what to recommend for 50.
nellyleelephant said:
P I Staker said:
You almost sound over qualified to answer my questions.
Holes would probably be approximately 50mm but I've not looked very closely yet.
Haha, don't know about that!Holes would probably be approximately 50mm but I've not looked very closely yet.
50mm is a big hole, I certainly wouldn't want to drill it! Biggest we do is 15 ish mm, not sure what to recommend for 50.
If it can't realistically be done I'll leave it, but equally if it's possible with an acceptable result I would like to do it.
Perhaps many small holes would be an easier option but not the look I was hoping for.
Also for the guy asking the bonnet is for a Saxo (Call me a chav, go on
) and it's 3 years old I bought it second hand, so it was cheap enough. Do you need a precisely sized hole (ie to attach a fitting to it) or something "close enough" ?
If the former, be very careful and use a smaller drill bit that you need - CF vibrates more than metal when being drilled, which means the holes end up slightly larger than nominal size. (Airbus found that one out the hard way and had to write off an entire carbonfibre airliner wing)
If the former, be very careful and use a smaller drill bit that you need - CF vibrates more than metal when being drilled, which means the holes end up slightly larger than nominal size. (Airbus found that one out the hard way and had to write off an entire carbonfibre airliner wing)
ChemicalChaos said:
Do you need a precisely sized hole (ie to attach a fitting to it) or something "close enough" ?
If the former, be very careful and use a smaller drill bit that you need - CF vibrates more than metal when being drilled, which means the holes end up slightly larger than nominal size. (Airbus found that one out the hard way and had to write off an entire carbonfibre airliner wing)
This is interesting and worth knowing, thanks.If the former, be very careful and use a smaller drill bit that you need - CF vibrates more than metal when being drilled, which means the holes end up slightly larger than nominal size. (Airbus found that one out the hard way and had to write off an entire carbonfibre airliner wing)
The holes I want are just for airflow so close enough is good enough.
You can get hole saws with a carbide grit on them which would last better than high speed steel, Here:-
http://www.screwfix.com/search.do?fh_search=carbid...
But I would not expect to get a neat edge to the hole.
On a high value item like a bonnet it might be worth finding some body close to you that does water jet cutting and seeing if they could do this for you, they would use a CNC controlled machine which would ensure the accuracy of the holes, both size shape and layout.
http://www.screwfix.com/search.do?fh_search=carbid...
But I would not expect to get a neat edge to the hole.
On a high value item like a bonnet it might be worth finding some body close to you that does water jet cutting and seeing if they could do this for you, they would use a CNC controlled machine which would ensure the accuracy of the holes, both size shape and layout.
Easternlight said:
You can get hole saws with a carbide grit on them which would last better than high speed steel, Here:-
http://www.screwfix.com/search.do?fh_search=carbid...
But I would not expect to get a neat edge to the hole.
On a high value item like a bonnet it might be worth finding some body close to you that does water jet cutting and seeing if they could do this for you, they would use a CNC controlled machine which would ensure the accuracy of the holes, both size shape and layout.
Thanks.http://www.screwfix.com/search.do?fh_search=carbid...
But I would not expect to get a neat edge to the hole.
On a high value item like a bonnet it might be worth finding some body close to you that does water jet cutting and seeing if they could do this for you, they would use a CNC controlled machine which would ensure the accuracy of the holes, both size shape and layout.
I think I'll get one of these hole saws and try it in one of my old carbon door cards.
No way I can afford to get this done professionally unfortunately.
B17NNS said:
nellyleelephant said:
50mm is a big hole, I certainly wouldn't want to drill it! Biggest we do is 15 ish mm, not sure what to recommend for 50.
Would a hole saw not do the job?Easternlight said:
On a high value item like a bonnet it might be worth finding some body close to you that does water jet cutting and seeing if they could do this for you, they would use a CNC controlled machine which would ensure the accuracy of the holes, both size shape and layout.
Bmw use water jets to cut the i3 panels to final shape, there is a cool video.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff