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I got some CF sheet material from Los Alamos, which I'm using to cap some braces. This material is made up of unidirectional fibers. I asked Jim how to make cuts parallel to the fibers, and he suggested a knife and straight edge. I have done some cuts this way on .030" thick sheet, using an X-acto, but I found it very difficult and went through several blades. I wonder if any of you who use this type of CF sheet for capping braces have come up with some better ways. I would think I could cut it with a cut off wheel, but I imagine it would be difficult to make a nice, straight cut that way.

Any suggestions? Thanks -

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Knife, and then breaking it where the knife doesn't go all the say through.

.030 is pretty heavy, though.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Todd,
Use a utility knife (much stouter than an exacto) and clamp a straight edge in place, you'll need to go over it a few times.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

The utility knife for sure. I once ripped some strips on my small tile cutting saw (set up like a miniature table saw.) That cut it fine, but that is a lot of expensive dust, and it is a pain to guide such thin material accurately.

Thanks, Howard, Jim, and Brook. I'll try a utility knife next time. Clamping the straight edge is a good idea, too. Both of my hands - the left holding the straight edge and the right holding the knife - got really tired as I scored and scored about a million times before the knife finally made it all the way through.

Thanks again -

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/