fiberglass molding

[EVADER09]

My Cataramaran hull is in not sea worthy shape so I want to use it as a mold and make a fiberglass one. What do you guys recommend doing and using for this process? I found resin and fiberglass sheets at my local West Marinia and was wondering how exactly you guys would do it. Should I cut it in half and make it 2 parts? or go far the whole boat at once? Please give in best detail waht you guys whould do.

[AndyKunz]

Read up on the process. There are many places on the web to find how to do it.

Start here: www.yahoo.com

Andy

[T.S.Davis]

Try this site http://www.fibreglast.com/. They have books, video, and all kinds of supplies.

Terry

[EVADER09]

thanks i did find some information out. Would it be to heavy for electric though? I plan on running a SPEED 700 and a RC HYDRO esc and 12 cells. I think it might be to heavy but what do you guys think?

[toyboy4145]

Use light cloth and sgeegee out all the excess resin, and it will be ok. Try to stay under 2 pounds of hull weight, but if you can make it lighter go for it.

[T.S.Davis]

Speaking of cloth. Does anybody know how many layers and/or what weight cloth is used for your typical rc boat? There's quite a variety of weaves and weights available. Glass, Kevlar, graphite. The joices seem infinite. I looked at my FRP boats and it's hard to guess what they are constructed with/from.

Terry

[FrankW]

TTT, I would like more information on this too.

-Frank

[Climate]

Not to give away any trade secrets, but most of our hulls are made with 2 layers of 10oz cloth.
If strength is not as much a concern as weight, then 1 layer of 10oz and a top layer of 6oz is just right.
We have tried 2 layers of 6oz with some savings in weight for the actual hull, but the required stiffeners to keep the hull from flexing add just as much, or more weight than the 10oz and 6oz lay ups.
Anyone who has seen one of our hulls knows that they are both light and strong. The amount of resin is what really determines the final weight if the hull.
Strakes and sharp edges should be built up with resin and micro baloons in the mold to keep things light.
The common tendency with most people trying their first project is to use way too much resin. This can actually take strength away as the cloth will tend to "float" on the excess resin.
The true strength form fiberglass is the cloth. Carbon and Kevlar are great products. 1 layer of woven 10 oz carbon mat is stronger than 3 layers of 12 oz fiberglass and about 80% lighter.
Working with Kevlar is a pain. It is hard to cut with anything but the proper shears. (at about $60 per pair) It does look cool though.

[FrankW]

What are some good ways of removing excess resin. I've heard of vacuum baging for Carbon Fiber... how is this done and can it be applied to fiberglass?

-Frank

[Climate]

The best way to eliminate excess resin is to not get too much in the first place.

[FrankW]

But I read and heard of vacuuming out resin when applying Carbon Fiber. How's this done? What're the materials used?

-Frank

[Jr Branham]

FrankW,
The process is called vacuum-bagging. The mold with lay-up done is put into a plastic bag/film with an absorbent material. A vaccum is pulled and the excess resin is absorbed by the material. Makes a nice layup. But, like Climate said, best to try and avoid excess resin in the first place.
Jr. B

[Doug Forrester]

Frank
Go to the metasearch engine www.ixquick.com and type in a search for "vacuum bagging". Read away.

[AndyKunz]

Most of the time I use 2 layers of 1.5 oz and one of 3 oz cloth when laying up a 24" Sport hydro.

The ultimate "dual use" (ie, Honey will approve of the purchase) vacuum bagger can be read at: http://www.rumrunnerracing.com/feforums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2912&highlight=vacuum

Enjoy!

Andy