The inside dash on my dad's 72 Porsche RSR race car is cf. He had to drill holes for it, i dont think it was a problem.

 

quick search on google found this site. hopefully it helps


www.societyofrobots.com/materials_carbonfiber.shtml

 

I've done it many times with no problems. However, your mileage may vary depending on the overall quality of the CF as well as your drill. Here are some tips.

1. Use painters tape all over the area you want to drill. Then drill through the tape. The tape will help prevent cracking while drilling and also protect against random scratches or accidents.

2. Don't press down on the drill. Let the drill bit do all the work.

3. Be extra careful when starting. The drill bit may "walk". Using the painters tape will give the surface a bit more friction, helping to prevent this.

4. For something the size of a keyhole, start with a smaller drill bit than the hole you want to create. Then enlarge the hole as needed using a dremel/sanding bit, going slowly. If using this technique, be sure to use painters tape because the dremel will get hot and possibly discolor the surrounding CF due to high heat.

Good luck!

 

thanks for the quick feedback guys! CF here I come!

 

Definitely start with small bits and work your way up. If you just blast at it with a huge bit, it will either walk, or crack the CF's coating.

CF is incredibly easy to work with in terms of drilling and cutting... just need to be careful.

 

instead of painters tape, i've used electrical tape and drill it at a high ass speed. have it fast as it goes when you make contact with the tape. it can have a tendency to crack the CF if you start out really slow.

 

thanks for the input! I kinda figured that high speed would be the way to go

 

I've done it many times with no problems. However, your mileage may vary depending on the overall quality of the CF as well as your drill. Here are some tips.

1. Use painters tape all over the area you want to drill. Then drill through the tape. The tape will help prevent cracking while drilling and also protect against random scratches or accidents.

2. Don't press down on the drill. Let the drill bit do all the work.

3. Be extra careful when starting. The drill bit may "walk". Using the painters tape will give the surface a bit more friction, helping to prevent this.

4. For something the size of a keyhole, start with a smaller drill bit than the hole you want to create. Then enlarge the hole as needed using a dremel/sanding bit, going slowly. If using this technique, be sure to use painters tape because the dremel will get hot and possibly discolor the surrounding CF due to high heat.

Good luck!

this is basically the exact thing i did when i was installing hood pins in my 240sx's cf hood

 

That's a very good idea (the painters or electrical tape). I will have to remember that one.

 

In case anyone else reads this or you actually haven't done it yet. The best thing to do is use a diamond coated hole saw. Using tape of some sort isn't a bad idea but if your saw is new it will cut a clean hole. Medium speed on the drill and light pressure on your arm.

 

make sure you use masking tape before u drill so you dont have carbon splints