Working with carbon fibre

[steve_sordy]

Is there anything especially dangerous about working with carbon fibre? Or even just a more than usual need for caution?

I'm thinking about when machining the stuff; the particles and the dust produced. Not so much bothered about sawing the ends off the bars as it's a slow speed operation that produces big particles. More concerned about drilling, or in fact any power tool usage, because the fan in the motor usually blows the dust all over the place. I looked on Google and the advice varies from hardly a problem, to treat it like it's the new asbestos! One piece of advice said not to wipe the dust from your skin because it will push the particles into the skin. The particles vary from dust to needles (called "nanotubes") which obviously have different characteristics and different dangers.

Does anyone on here have the actual knowledge and experience to give an informed view?

Over 50 years ago when I was an apprentice in a clutch and brake factory, we filed, sanded, drilled and ground asbestos-loaded friction material. There was dust everywhere. I can clearly remember being told not to worry about the dust and to stop wearing that silly mask - you look ridiculous. I'm glad I ignored them!

 

[Mikerb]

keep wearing the mask and use gloves........both carbonfibre and epoxy are nasty stuff

 

[Waynemarlow]

Steve, anything thats ground into dust and then ingested is not good for the lungs and the body. Over the years Epoxy's have beome much safer but they are still not good for the system. Always use vacumn every where, power tools do not last very long with carbon dust, battery tools and anything with unprotected electronics is just when they will fail, not if. Never dust yourself off, vacumn yourself off.

Do a bit of research on any marine website dealing with composites, Easycomposites Materials, equipment and training for advanced composites with next-day shipping and expert technical advice. - Easy Composites West Systems WEST SYSTEM Epoxy - Marine Grade Resins & Hardeners and you'll find all you need to know.

 

[HORSPWR]

I wouldn’t grind it unless I was using a Class M respirator.

 

[R120]

I would be very careful working with it, and certainly wouldnt be doing anything beyond cutting down a set of bars if I want in a properly ventilated environment and wearing the correct PPE.

 

[aarfeldt]

Come on....I've done many years of carbon modification/dremel etc....and it has done no harm to me !

 

[steve_sordy]

Thank you @Waynemarlow and others who assisted. I followed the Easy Composites link and found this training video. It even mentions seat posts and handlebars.

How to Cut Carbon Fibre Sheet, Tube & Parts - Video Tutorial - Easy Composites

Video tutorial explaining good safety practices and technique for shaping and cutting carbon fibre sheet, tubes and parts.

www.easycomposites.co.uk

 

[Waynemarlow]

Thank you @Waynemarlow and others who assisted. I followed the Easy Composites link and found this training video. It even mentions seat posts and handlebars.

How to Cut Carbon Fibre Sheet, Tube & Parts - Video Tutorial - Easy Composites

Video tutorial explaining good safety practices and technique for shaping and cutting carbon fibre sheet, tubes and parts.

www.easycomposites.co.uk

Anybody who wants to do some carbon fibre work or EGlass, the Easycomposites site has some great "how to" vids and if you look in their bargain section, you can get carbon cloth ends of rolls at great prices. I've used them for many years for all the boat building / ski bike building I do and I can't recommend them high enough.