Just got a few fore grips, carbon fiber cfx brand. They don't need to be reamed will actually need a slight tape buildup. Anyways on the edges of the bore the carbon fiber is proud of the grip. Rather noticeable and uneven. Will be using a aluminum check and it with not sit flush. It actually sits noticeably crooked. Wondering best way to flatten out the carbon fiber. Unsure of how deep the fiber may be epoxied. Concerned I may start a frayed edge that will extend further than I can hide under the check. I am leaning towards a dremel tool and a very hard grinding wheel. Any advice? Thanks.

When I skin grips, I'll spin the grip on my drill lathe and come in with a #11 scalpel or exacto knife and with light pressure it will make short work of cutting through the carbon fiber. You could do something similar by shimming a drill bit with tape to a snug fit inside the grip. Have someone hold and run a cordless drill flat on the table, or better yet use a drill press or lathe while you make the cut.

The carbon fiber will have epoxy or a thermoset resin penetrated throughout binding all of the fibers together similar to a blank. A clean cut won't cause any fraying. A rough saw cut may cause issues.

The Dremel may work, but may also produce enough heat to soften the epoxy/resin depending on your technique, particularly if you use the face of the wheel like a disc sander.

I may be wrong, but I thought I read somewhere that the dust from sanding/grinding carbon fiber is quite hazardous. If don't already have one, getting a respirator might not be so easy right now.

Be safe and do some research. Also be aware it is conductive so keep away from electronics, etc.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

I have done that operation to multiple CFX grips using a Dremel with a tapered stone, and then lightly finishing with a half-moon point file. The power grinding needs a fine touch as it goes quickly. The dust isn’t something you want to breath.

I had a carbon fiber grip with the same uneven end. I used a socket similar in diameter to the trim ring in a vise and just pushed down on the grip gently on the part that was raised. The foam is pretty soft and will compress very easy . You can judge how flush it sit using the socket as a guide. The carbon fiber will loosen enough the put the trim ring flush. It worked well for me.

I just use a small diamond surface file and file by hand. Makes quick work of carbon fiber, and does not spit dust into the air like any electric tools. It is easy to control the sanding stroke by hand. And if you really want to capture all the dust, just wet the file and the dust will stick to the wet surface or drip into the sink, easily rinsed or wiped away.