Info on making my own cf or fiberglass parts?!

[Ntence99]

I was wonderin if anyone new a good websight or book that would cover custom carbonfiber or fiberglass molding.Any info would be appreciated

[Griffin]

Not really but I've done a fair amount of work with composites and the first thing to accept is that small scale it will cost you more to do your own.

Basically you have to wax your original part with mold release wax (about 20 coats). Then spray it with a mold grade gelcoat. Then you use a composit material (fiberglass works) in absurd quantities with structural reinforcements like wood, pipe, PVC or condensed foam. Then you have to Pull the mold from your original and clean and wax the mold itself. Usually some amout of finishing work is required. Then you wax the mold about 10 20 times with mold release wax and spray your gelcoat and lay up your glass. I recommeng usung a colored gelcoat because using a clear will show any mistakes you make cutting your composite sheets. If you do use clear be sure to use clear catalyst and resin. Be warned clears make it hard to find and roll out the bubbles.

an additional factor in working with composites is time. You have cure times and working times on everyhting all of which vary with temperature and amount of catalyst.

If you REALLY want an education, I would find a boat, bathtub, or camper shell manufacturer near you and ask if you could trade free labor for instruction, or just get a job there for a little while till you learn it. Theres a ton to it, and I'm sure theer are a lot of good books, but the reality of composites is a time critical smelly nasy patient one.

Hope this helps

[DKFatalis]

carbon fiber? doesn't that require some real high-tech equipment to make?

[Griffin]

Originally posted by DKFatalis
carbon fiber? doesn't that require some real high-tech equipment to make?

No - its the same as fiberglass, just the fiber material is varied and perhaps the resin depending on who is making the part. Carbon fiber can be hand-done in your garage if you have teh chemicals and tools.

[TRD-GT]

Griffin:very good post man, right on...and its more and art, than anything else....

[Mean Machine]

how to (http://www.bryanf.com/info/carbon.htm) kind of rudementary but it goes over the basics

[Ntence99]

Thanks for the info guys!!:gap:

[RIPPA]

check out............www.elitecaraudio.com
do a search for fiberglass and get all the info you need