OK we all love the shite for various reasons- everyone thinks it looks horn, and it serves a purpose in being strong, and light- good enough for completely re-winging a fleet of 500 aircraft designed to fly in the high buffet environment of 200ft @ 600kts- then its good enough for me.....

If i could figure some things out it would be even better for me.

Can anyone get raw CF?
From my understanding, it needs to be first glued from a template, and then baked under high pressure.

Where do you get this done?

Anyone have any ideas on prices?

Anyone done anything from scratch before?

I can get raw carbon fibre.
up to and over 25 square metres for around $250, price varies depending on of course amount, weave, etc.

Does not have to be glued from a template or baked, depends on the process. Just applied over a mould, layer with epoxy, apply another layer (as many as you want), leave overnight to cure in between layers of CF...thats the DIY way anyway...

I also know of a place in Sydney that does CF work if you are interested in getting it done professionally, depends on the application of course. It is just a little bit more complicated, and of course the first time you do it you will fuck up so be prepared to outlay funds appropriately. In the end it will come out cheaper than getting it done professionally, plus you learn how to do it for your mates too.

I have tutorials on how to do things such as dash, door trims, panels, etc. Let me know and I will send them to you.

I was going to start something from scratch with CF, but chose another project instead...

Yeah I want to make two airboxes (to enclose multi throttle bodies) and intake runners out of it- its lighter than aluminium, and heat-soak resistant, so it would make good engine-bay material.

Anything youn can help me with is great- its about time I started using my hands and mind at the same time again ;)

Okay, currently the cheapest carbon fibre I have found is to order it from the US, where depending on weave can cost about $30USD per sq metre. I have the details of Australian composite companies which may well be more expensive, however you will offset that with shipping but I cannot give any prices on that because I didn't go far enough into it.

Remember if you go to any sort of automotive body workshop and ask them you will pay through the nose like a nasty coke habit. The only thing you will have to enquire is whether Australian composite companies would supply in small sizes of say 3-4 sq metres...

After that all you need to purchase is the relevent epoxy's and hardeners which are available everywhere, the same stuff used in fibreglassing.

Airboxes shouldn't be too much hassle however it being a 3D shape you will have to make a mould say from aluminium then apply an approach kind of like paper mache'- layering over the top. I suggest you start off experimenting with flat pieces say of glass so you can get some experience under your belt.

Here are the details of some suppliers and tutorial sites, the last site is a great DIY source and the guy made his own CF airbox so email him for tips. I also have a great magazine scan of composite usage so if you would like that buzz me your email address. Carb.com has the best prices and explanations of CF weaves etc, and online shopping if you wish to get it from the US.

Good Luck
http://www.advcomposites.com.au/
http://www.colan.com.au/compo2.htm
http://www.uscomposites.com/
http://www.carb.com/index.html
http://www.bryanf.com/info/carbonf1.htm

Champion! Thanks mate!