Inexpensive source of carbon fiber rods

[MaineGeezer]

I found this place on the Internet while I was looking for places to get carbon fiber rods for neck reinforcement.

http://dragonplate.com

For example, LMI charges $21.68 for a piece 1/8" x1/2" x 18", a bit over $1.20 per inch. Dragon Plate charges $12.74 for a piece 1/8" x 1/2" x 48", about $0.265 per inch. less than a fourth of LMI's price.

Dragon Plate does have a $30 minimum order, but that is not particularly difficult to manage. Their rods have a smooth surface. Dragon Plate recommends scuffing the surface with coarse sandpaper prior to gluing.

Shipping was reasonably quick and easy.

[Diane Kauffmds]

Wow, that's a great deal. Thank you for posting the information.

[tippie53]

thanks for that info

[MaineGeezer]

I tried gluing some. Dragonplate recommends 3M Scotch-Weld Epoxy Adhesive EC-2216. I used some Loctite marine epoxy I happened to have on hand, gluing the end of a carbon fiber rod into a slot in a small chunk of red oak flooring. After the epoxy hardened I held the rod and beat on the block with a hammer until it broke, but the bond to the carbon fiber rod remained secure.

Conclusion: I suspect any good epoxy will work, certainly well enough for our purposes.