Fiberglass molding basics for backyard projects

I have a 'gl*** question and have been wondering where I could even get it answered. This seems like a perfect place.

I have read about fibergl*** leaf springs. No, I don't want to try to lay up fibergl*** leaf springs. That would be too dangerous. But is all 'gl*** 'springy'? I have a non-HAMB idea for a prototype yuloh oar for a boat and I would like to use fibergl*** as flexible but straight spring.

I know very little about fibergl***.

 

Algon,
Thanks for the information. I run a plant that insulates pipe with Poly-Iso foam and I have been itching to build something. I am unlimited in the size or shape of what I can shoot with the foam. I could tape cardboard boxes together in the shape I want, calculate the shot and fill them up, carve to shape, and start laying up. I'm going to start with something small and go from there. If someone around the central Florida area needs a block, PM me and I'll fix you up.

Bob

 

Hey - that's awesome!

You could sell it on eBay, or on here! Just get a box with the customer's dimensions, fill it with the foam, and slap a mailing label on it - all after a quick PayPal transaction!

~Jason

 

Here's a few more pics of the cars that Algon and I worked on at the shop.







The ones below are pics of a plug for a mold used to produce bodies. The dark green one is the plug, and the yellow one is a composite body that was made from the mold.

 

Thanks for posting those, you had much more time in that plug than anyone else. And let the record show that yellow car was built by its owner not either of us or anyone at the shop we worked at.... Someone liked it enough to shrink it down to 1/25 scale in the Revell's GoodGuys model though....


Not exactly traditional and I think we are both still ashamed of contributing to the lawn chair crowd but as rollers a vacuum formed E-gl***/vinylester car sold for $20,000 all from s****s and home grown tricks.

 

Wow! I'm just about to get involved in a project that's gonna need some fibergl*** pieces made and this is a wealth of info.

 

Thanks for sharing your expertise.

 

Thanks guys, its just some food for thought but there is alot of options when it comes to composite materials, and always more to pick up. With all of what has been contributed from others it should be a decent reference for a backyard project so thanks to those guys who chipped in. I have a few jobs that are up in the air but if they materialize I'd like to add step by step pictures...

 

Algon..lots of good info..just a few comments....if you already said this then my ADD has really kicked in......1. besides carnuba wax .a product called "part all" can be sprayed or brushed as a release agent for more rough molds..did you adress male versus female molds?...the diffrence between ..being able to take a part out or not...in other words can not take a Q out of U mold...just can't get it out unless your mold is 2 piece or more....2. the most important part to me is have your mold shinney...the gelcoat actually reflects it's molds shine or lack there of...if it is to be painted this really does not matter...3...molds take alot of abuse in the curing process..of the heat created...so reinforce the **** out of the mold...we are lucky to get 80 boats out of mold before they become warped.....longintudals and tranverse frames are crutial...after the gelcoat is applied we use "hard rollers"..or air rollers with our first "skin coat" of matt...air is the enemy....deciding ones laminate scedule is dependent on use...i prefer biax cloth witch is cross stiched cloth with a matt backer for laminating purposes.decied on your weight of cloth you need for a proper laminate scedule..4 never over saturate your cloth...this finished product will be brittle and weak..only wet out cloth enouth to make it transparent...oversaturation of the cloth with the resin is the most common mistake made..5...and most of all never use waxed polyester when laminating or one will have to grind to make the next layer bond and i hate grinding...if one layer cures beyond its "green state"...only use waxed resin for the last layer.....like i said just a few very important points ..not trying to be a know it all..

 

Mckee.....polyester resin is fine to use with a gasoline ...i have built many of em for lobsterboats

 

thanks for the TECH on glas.as much as I hate it I gotta learn more cause of the piewaggon project............

 

Been waiting for this thread. Thanks. Considerit book marked

 

The green foam will work ONLY if you cover it in masking tape or tin foil first. The resin will even "eat" the Great Stuff if put on too hot.

 

Very good info to soak up, Thanks. I have been doing a mold of a 59 vette for a few months. It is going to be used a few times so I made it out of resin,gel coat and mat. I have the main body and all the panels except the doors done. It is going be a ***** when the actual lay-up of the body happens as it is me and the wife doing this project. I need to mount it on a rotisery to make things easier, Tim

I will try to post some pic as soon as I can.

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