Flat kevelar

[elviss_boy]

Hey guys, I’m looking for some flat kevelar for my new bird. I need about 3/8 to 5/8 inches wide by 4 to 5 feet long. If you guys have any scraps I’ll be happy to buy it from you. The use will be for a piston strap thx!

[Chris LaPanse]

I have used 1/2″ tubular kevlar as a piston strap before with great success (you need to widen the slot a little though). It’s availible from Giant Leap

Also, I believe Hawk Mountain has some strap kevlar.

As for scraps – sorry I don’t have any. Maybe someone else does…

[denverdoc]

I have some scraps of 1/2 flat kevlar–let me know where to send it,
J

Also give me an exact length as you won’t want to cut it w/o the right shears.
J

[Chris LaPanse]

No kidding – I don’t have the shears, and have completely given up as to cutting it, I just make sure I order it precut in the lengths I need.

That stuff is impossible…
Sometime, I’ll have to get the shears…

[Doug GerrardParticipant]

Try using CA where you want to cut it. Let it completely cure then use wire cutters.

Doug

[Anonymous]

I just use my wife’s scissors. Don’t tell her. Please.

[denverdoc]

like she must not know when her favorite sharps won’t cut air 😉 Seriously, the CA, or no-frayz stuff is the best way to get the fibers to sit still while they’re chopped.

Its amazing what a good set of kevlar shears can do, since getting a set, I’m using Kevlar a lot more…amazing material. In some ways like it more than CF. Unbelievable shear strength! Pefrfect complement to phenolic.
John S

[Anonymous]

I typically cut Kevlar with an Exacto knife. Pull it tight across the blade, and it is fine. I have one blade that I’ve used to cut Kevlar many times. I change the blade when necessary, but it is amazing how long a good ‘ol Exacto blade hangs on.

[denverdoc]

John,

Interesting tip–is that the fabric you’re talking about or just strap/tube? One tip I got off another forum that did not turn out was pinking shears–at least the 10 dollar set I bought. I had some paramedic scissors that could snip maybe 1/8in at a time but soon dulled. The shears I bought from John Soller composites can cut a good inch or two straight per stroke. CF is getting so outrageously priced, as i mentioned using more Kev. One material which may make its way to a rocket here soon is a 4 ply composite sheet–2 ply of kev on the inside, two of CF on the out. Perhaps not as stiff as a pure CF sheet, but damn near unbreakable.
J

[Anonymous]

John,

Interesting tip–is that the fabric you’re talking about or just strap/tube? J

Both strap and tube cut well. I pull the Kevlar up to the blade so it is barely snug against the Exacto blade, and then bear down on it and it cuts with one easy motion. That 1/8″ tubular stuff from Missile Works? I’ll bet I can cut it 25 times per Exacto blade. It cuts basically instantly. No CA, no fuss whatsoever.

Note that I’m cutting this “in the air”, i.e. not against a sheet of glass or a piece of steel. The sharp edge of the blade is “up”, and I pull the Kevlar “down”.

[Author]

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