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mbs66

Drilling a Carbon fiber helmet

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I am going to side mount my "L" bracket on my bonehead mindwarp... what do i need to know about drilling the helmet without comprimising its strength? can anyone suggest a good hole pattern as well... trianlge square, should the upper screws be in teh middle of the bracket or at the top? any feedback would be awesome

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No special stuff required. Just mark the holes and then use a #30 to make the initial hole and then go up to whatever size the final hole is. Treat the edges of the new holes with Clear Epoxy or at least some clear nail polish. Make sure you DO NOT have your camera ANYWHERE near the helmet when drilling. Like....put it in another room. Vaccumn or blow the helmet out before you assemble it. Done...easy as that!

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Quote

so they dont split or crack very easy?





Not really...especially if you "step" drill by starting out with a small bit. It will make a MUCH cleaner hole.


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does it matter if i start from the inside or the outside?





Uhhh...unless you have a TINY drill or an extension bit I would probably just go from the outside. Remember to get the padding out of the way!

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I know saving your camera is important, so yes, don't drill around your electronic equipment.

More importantly, grab yourself a surgeons mask (home depot, lowes) for about $.30, and keep your lungs from inhaling the carbon fiber, once the fiber is in your body, i don't think it comes back out.

Use a vacume, keep a wet towel handy, and use clear nail polish to cover any exposed areas. Remember your drilled screw holes will rip out any dried nail polish if they are snug. Keep that in mind before you start fitting your cameras back in. You have to repolish after your mount bolts and screws are through.

Have fun, don't rush it!! (i.e. don't do it friday night, you'll end up comprimising quality)

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Hi,
A trick with drilling carbon fibre is high speed, slow feed.
This means getting your electric drill flat out and only applying minimal pressure to the bit. Let the drill do the work or otherwise you end up tearing the carbon. A slightly blunt drill bit or one with a less aggressive angle from the tip to the cutting face works best.
Another tip is to apply masking tape over the area you wish to dill as this can stop fractures around the hole and it also makes it easier to mark the spot for the hole if you use the white stuff.
I generally use 4x1/8 or 4mm screws to mount my boxes to the helmets and nylock locking nuts is a must.
As said in the previous thread a dust mask is important as in good ventilation, so do it in the garage or outside. This stuff can also make you itch so coverup.
Before you start the drilling process, do a dumbie run. That is tape the box to the helmet and get a friend to have a look side on with you looking straight forward or go to the bathroom and check yourself in the mirror.
Anyway good luck with your project, and if you can it would be cool to post pic's of your handy work.

Cookie

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After you drill the holes. You might want to use a bit of clear nail polish to seal the holes.
Fiber glass & Carbon fiber particles might be fatal to your camera equiptment. This don't mean something will happen but.....

Better be safe than sorry.
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight,
It's the size of the fight in the dog!"

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