Hey Folks <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
I've used carbon fiber a few times and other than wearing gloves the entire time, I don't remember doing anything with it much different than Micarta or G10.
Well, I'm building a fighter (hidden tang) with some "2 way weave" carbon fiber (1" thick block) and boy is it hard to work!!!
I was wondering if any of you guys have some ideas for working it, like the recommended cutting speeds for machining it so I can come up with optimal rpms for drilling and milling, best method to cut it, etc.
The block is fit up now, but it was sure a buggar.
Thanks! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
-Nick-
Nick,
I've never used carbon fiber. If you learn any tricks to working with it, let us all know.
Good luck!!
Hi Steve! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
Great seeing you in San Antonio again. Angi and I missed having you as a neighbor this year though... being flanked by you and Mike Ruth Sr. last year made for great neighbors/company! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//cool.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />
I knew posting about cf on this forum probably wouldn't get a pile of responses because it's not a "traditional" type of material, but you guys always amaze me with the loads of knowledge you all have, so it was worth a shot <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
The first thing I have learned, is DON'T use the stuff. HaHa! Just kidding. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//tongue.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />
A couple things I've learned so far-
Wear gloves. I HATE wearing gloves for anything... But a pair of vinyl or rubber gloves is a must. This stuff puts out a dust that is 197 times worse than fiberglass insulation.
Long sleeve shirt, and a hood ain't a bad idea. This stuff getting on your neck is bad news.
It is the best stuff I've found to dull a tool. I had to resharpen the drill bits and the broaches a couple times before I got the block fit up.
A sharp bandsaw blade seems to cut it fine, but will ruin the blade in a hurry.
I'm still on the fence about rpms, feed rate/pressure and such.
All the PITA aside... this stuff is super chatoyant... just like a nice chatoyant piece of damascus. Although it sounds like an odd combination--- I think a 300ish layer blade combined with cf is going to make for a pretty neat overall look. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//cool.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />
I'll have the knife done tonight or tomorrow, and will try to get some pics put up.
THANKS! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
-Nick-
Hi Nick, Steve Kelly uses a lot of carbon fiber. Give him a call. It was nice to met you at San Antonio.
Bing
It was nice meeting you too Bruce! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
Wanted to follow through and post pics since I said I would <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
I'm glad I got the opportunity to try combining something "old school" and something "new school" Makes for something a little outside my normal box. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//wink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
[video=youtube;ZbHvL5ZFq_E] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbHvL5ZFq_E
Looks great Nick!!
Nick
Outstanding work and thanks for posting the YouTube video and photos.
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Nick, that is one sweet looking knife. Love the blade and the choice of handle material, they work well together. One question, carbon fiber being lighter than normal material, how was the blance point affected? Knowing the way you work you probably took care of that.. Great knife Nick, two big thumbs up here.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Nice lookin' knife Nick! I too like the way the handle and blade materials work together. You were right about the chatoyance, The CF almost has a black lip MOP look to it.
Add another Thumbs up from me!
Rick
Thank you for the kind words guys! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
I was a little concerned about the weight of the cf too, but much to my surprise this block was pretty darn close in weight to the G10 and Ironwood I've used on this design. Its strength to weight ratio is incredible, but most of the figures I've found are comparing it to steel and/or aluminum. So... luckily it wasn't hard to get it to balance. But this is also only ~ a 7.5" blade (as per customer request) that's 0.315" at the guard <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//blink.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':blink:' /> I think even if the blade was stretched to 10" but with a more typical thickness at the guard lke 0.220 - 0.250 it would still be pretty easy to balance using this cf.
BTW- would anyone happen to know why I can't see embedded videos here?
THANKS!!! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
-Nick-
Nick
I can see and play the YouTube hosted video that you embedded in an earlier post in this thread. You used the "Insert Media" icon tool above. I sent you an email asking if I could assist you further and you can reach me at [email protected]
I was able to again embed your YouTube video from above in this reply using the "Insert Media" tool, see below:
[media] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbHvL5ZFq_E [/media]
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Great looking knife Nick. With the amount of dust you described, what breathing protection did you use while working the material?
Cheyenne Walker
Apprentice Smith
Hmm, I still don't see any embedded videos on this forum. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//huh.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':huh:' />
Cheyenne- Thank you. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> I wore a FULL face respirator while working this stuff at the grinder, and a half mask while hand working it. I HATE wearing those things, but I think it's a good idea with materials like this.
I sprayed it down a lot with WD-40 while hand sanding, and that kept the dust down as well as the paper cutting clean.
This stuff is pretty nasty, but I think doing combinations like this can help draw the attention of, and maybe even build a bridge for some of the "new school" and "tactical" customers/collectors to come over to our side of blade making. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
so beautiful, i am crying.
