Finishing panels

blamkin86

blamkin86

Well-known member
OK, I realize this isn't going to help me win any races, but I'd like to learn something as always.

I've redone my dash and center console, by welding some flat aluminum as a "frame", then mounting my gauges etc onto a carbon-fibre panel, which in turn mounts to the aluminum frame, mounted to the cage.

While the aluminum turned out nice, the panels, well, look like ass. I generally use a sharpie, straight edge, and cutoff wheel, but I just have really lousy luck.

I'm more than happy to switch to another material - but what I want is nice square (rectangular) finished panels which actually look good.

I'm currently thinking I'm going to whip up some sort of fence and use a router on the panels...

...but before I do that, I thought I'd ask what other people do.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
Bill,

One trick is to use a straight edge clamped to the flat stock as a guide and then standard circular saw with a metal cutting blade that you can get at the big box hardware stores. You could also use this type of blade in a table saw.

The blades are available as abrasive wheel or multi tooth.
 
wait.. cutting CF panels with a circular saw? wouldn't have figured that.
I cut aluminum that way all the time tho..
 
I have cut thin carbon with either tin snips or a body saw. Then used the band sander to smooth things out.
 
Hope you guys are using breathing protection when working with carbon fiber - does the same nasty things to your lungs as coal dust! And the little particles can do wonders to microelectronics.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top