Has anyone found a book, or a DVD that kind of lays out the basics for working with carbon fiber? Everything I have found on the internet is either really broad, or just plain sucks. I'm not looking to make hoods or anything, but some small pieces would be cool, like a gauge pod, or something. So if anyone had any recommendations, or even had something (like a how-to book or DVD) they would be willing to sell, that would be great. I've built lots with fiberglass but just looking to try something new. I appreciate it! Info on DVD stuff is preffered due to my short attention span, and Me Knot ReAd so gUd dA wErdZ

 

Unless you have a decent size auto-clave, don't even bother. It's a fiber mesh that's layed down, soaked in a resin of sorts, then baked at extremely high temps. Almost like doing fiberglass...the biggest thing that adds to carbon fiber costs is the price of the auto-clave itself.

 

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/c...a.htm#Beginner

I found this interesting. Its for bikes but has some good info.

 

carbon fiber really isnt that hard. if you can make things out of fiberglass then you can make parts out of carbon. only real difference is you have to really think it out to make sure it looks good. heating isnt neccesary on parts that arent structual or subjected to engine heat. i work on carbon fiber aerobatic planes. its no big deal.

here are a few parts i have made.

this one is unfinished. i dont know what i am gonna mount in it yet







this is the same one, but with a decal to look like a production part



you really cant tell, but this is made out of carbon fiber too

 

http://www.turbomustangs.com/techart...arbonfiber.php

 

i was always under the impression that in order to make new pieces from CF, it needs to be vaccuum packed to a mold and heated.

wrapping a stock piece in CF is relatively easy, but making new pieces is expensive and hard

 

a mold is necessary, but heat and vaccuming are not. heat will make the part stronger as will vaccuming. vaccuming will also make the part lighter cause it pulls out extra resin that will just make the part brittle.

 

parts look good, that heat shield is nice.

 

that's definately a good write up..

i'm almost tempted to make a CF hood while my cars getting painted and i'm installing my built head

 

PhilStubbs that ---- looks great.You should start making parts and selling them on the side.