im interested in getting into some composites for fun.

basically ill be using it for projects and some different things for car applications

ive been reading alittle bit and i read all the fiber threads on here, but i was just curious for starting out what materials i should get, and what are each of the different weights of cloth are best used for.

also, what is that really good composites message board?

throw in your personal tips and tricks to best make small items, i just want to add another hobby to my list.
TIA

 

or at least link me to the composites forum

 

http://www.fiberglast.com

 

thanks, been there. anyone else?

 

http://www.carsound.com >Forums>Fabrication

 

If you have any good boating supply places near by they are good places to get your materials.

West Marine stocks all kinds of stuff.

 

yeah ill be stopping by there, just wondering what you guys are using for what kind of projects

 

bueller?

 

ok, can you share some of your tips and tricks?

 

if you somehow put those videos on the net, i'd definately take a look.

 

actual tips? from laying up to making molds...?

 

What would you like to make?

Some tips.
Make sure the area you work in is clean cool and well ventilated.
Dont try doing this is 80deg 100%humidity weather.

Buy a role of clear floor plastic. The stuff you use when you paint. Put it over the table you will be working on. You can also use it to hold impregnated fiberglass without deforming the weave/making a mess and its allot easier to tranport to(table to part).

 

nothing in mind at the moment, just parts that i wont have to buy. random stuff really.

thanks for the tips

 

I have you covered on whatever you want to build from fiberglass. Been doing it for over 10 years.

 

Can you run through the steps needed to copy a steel hood in fiberglass? Any way to do it without damaging the steel hood in any way? How to do a hood that copies both the surface and underside of the hood?

 

or just a step by step on reproducing mildly complex parts with mat and cloth???

 

Well a good thing to know if you diplicate anything. You need to make a mold of it.

If you use the original part as a mold. Your fiberglass part will be slightly larger. And probably wont fit like the original.

You can use plaster of paris and use the special release paint (don't remember the corect name)so the glass wont stick to it. Then lay glass.


Something I didn't mention earlier too. You will need a good scale to measure your resin.

The WEST system is good because all you have to do is count pumps but I still feel it is not as accurate as the scale.

A good digital scale with sulliphane wrapped around it. would run about $50. West System is 20 I think and you have to replace the pumps every couple cans because they get gummed up.


For the hood guy. I think you can buy dc/eg fiberglass hoods for pretty cheap. And it would probably be more cost effective than making one on your own.

 

thanks again BEN

 

I have a whole set of videos from basic to advanced fiberglass.

 

yes i saw that you posted that earlier. why did you post it again....

 

If you want to make smooth sheets of carbon fiber or fiber glass. You can use a piece of window glass to make it on.

The trick to getting a super clear/smooth sheet of glass is getting bubbles out and the surface smooth.

 

do most of you use a squeegee to get bubles ot or a hard bristlled brush and dab it?

 

If you squeegee or brush you will deform the weave.

You want to use a roller like this one.

you can find them for about $10

On a side note if you notced I got that pic from ebay. There is also allot of other stuff there too.

 

dont surfboard makers use squeegee?

 

http://www.jgreer.com/