Best way to cut Carbon Fiber??
 

i have a carbon fiber dash overlay i plan to install on my 59 i need to cut the gauge holes in its whats the best way do to it withought messing up the nice glossy face? i was thinking hole saw but from the front? from the back? i just dont want to screw it up :confused:

To protect the finish, use masking tape to cover area for gauges. Then do your lay-out on the tape, and drill through the tape. The tape will protect the finish during cutting. As for the hole saw, i'm not sure about carbon fiber, but fiberglass you want to drill through the front. The gel coat on front is easier to start drilling through, as the back has the glass mat closer to surface, so it has a rough texture that can snag on the hole saw.

DO NOT use a hole saw on your CF until you confirm with someone that has drilled CF (i have only done fiberglass). I'm just giving you an idea to keep the finish unscratched:D .

I cut my guage holes with a carbide hole saw (not one with teeth). First, I masked the front of the CF dash to keep it from getting scratched. Then I layed out my pattern on the backside and cut the holes from the rear. I sat the dash on a piece of plywood and used my drill press to bore through the CF and into the wood. It left a clean edge that ended-up being a perfect "friction fit" for the guages. The speedo hole was cut using a sabre saw with a fine metal blade on low speed. I cut it about a 1/8" undersize and finished it to the proper size with a Dremel tool with a course sanding drum...

http://www.kafertek.com/gallery/project/Dsc01433.jpg

Beautiful dash, Kafer_Mike. :)

Very nice instructions, and install:agree:

ajsyrup,

I would first mask of the entire dash, do my layout then use a piloted carbide hole saw. With the hole saw start on the back side first but don't go through all the way, just before you got through turn it around and finish the hole from the front side. this will keep the fibers from splintering, then bring it to size with a drum sander.

Mike that dash looks killer!!! I wonder where you got it.

nice dash mike love your gages what kind??

Auto Meter Ultra-Lite or Ultra-Lite II maybe?

Thanks for the positive comments on the dash. It's a Carbon Joe original with Auto Meter Ultra-Lites gages. I've added a few more things since the picture (LED indicator lights and warning lights), but haven't taken a picture. I'm thrashing on the car to get it ready in time for Indy and time is tight. I'll post updated pictures when it's done...