Carbon fiber trim requires using the right equipment, but it does not have to be expensive. Therefore, you do not have to mess up the carbon fiber sheet that you just bought. Look for the right equipment instead. You may already have those tools in your garage.
But before you can think of trimming your carbon fibers using carbon fiber veneer or other tools, think of your safety first. For instance the dust may cause itching on skin or difficulty in breathing if you inhale it. One of the ways you can ensure safety is to get the right safety equipment to protect you. The PPE recommended include long sleeves or a Tyvek paint suit, gloves (nitrile although leather or mechanic gloves are better when cutting or using power tools), dusk mask or respirator, good ventilation (you can use a rigging a shop vac or using a downdraft table to collect the dust as a better option), and eye protection especially when using power tools.
1. Using hand saws: Straight lines can be cut in carbon fiber using hacksaws and/or coping saws and those with higher teeth per inch (TPI) give better results/cuts. You can also cut a hole to have the blade pass through the part on the inside for the case of interior features.
2. Using rotary tools: Dremel and other cutting tools can be great for carbon fiber trimming. Although standard abrasive metal cutting wheels will function fine, they degrade quickly and therefore a diamond coated cutting wheel that is used for cutting tile may be a better option when doing a lot of cutting. These are more expensive but they will hold longer.
You can also use aluminum oxide grinding bits or a rotary sanding bits in addition to the Dremel kit when more complex shapes are being cut or when cleaning up interior features.
3. Angle grinder: Angle grinders are better alternatives to rotary cutting tools. It makes it easier to cut straight lines in carbon fibers instead of using standard metal cutting abrasive wheels. It is necessary to use the appropriate protective gear for this reason, however. For instance, you should use safety glasses instead of a face shield.
4. Jig saw: Not only does it help in cutting straight lines but also into tight corners. Although a standard metal cutting blade will work fine, it burns out after cutting about 3-4 feet but jig saws will cut over 10 times more. A cleaner cut is afforded by placing a backing material underneath the carbon fiber and if possible, attach a vacuum to help control the dust.
