DIY carbon fibre

[skelstar]

For the quantities you want best go talk to Viv at Carboglass in Peterkin St.

Right, will get Drew motivated about this Pretend CF. I'm not too proud.

[imdying]

ten small paper cups (beg some off your mobile espresso vendor)

It's worth spending a little extra, imho, and getting cups with graduations marked on them. You'll find out why

/edit: No, not you, skel*

[CookMySock]

It's worth spending a little extra, imho, and getting cups with graduations marked on them.

Yeah, but its ok for newbies mixing polyester, as long as they follow the destructions on the tin. For mixing EPOXY, yes, but I'd go a step further and borrow the kitchen digital scales (loosely wrap them in clingwrap.) which is why I didnt make my example based on epoxy, even though it sets more slowly. Polyester isnt going to set fast this time of year anyway, and prolly it wont set at all under 12 deg C.

The most important thing, is to do it, and see that its easy and fun.

Steve

[hayd3n]

and watch out as it can go on fire (very hard to tell) just put it out with a bit of water i always put water over my leftovers

and also a lil (drop or 2) of cobolt can help on cold days to help harden to resin!!!

[CookMySock]

and watch out as it can go on fire

Yes, this is why you mix up little amounts at a time. A good reason to NEVER put your cup of resin on your workpiece, LOL.

Anyway, all the warnings are not a good enough reason not to try it. It is perfectly straight forward, and so much fun to do.

Wait until you try using dry micro - just like icing a cake!


Steve

[imdying]

Yeah, but its ok for newbies mixing polyester, as long as they follow the destructions on the tin.

Yep, it's just easier as a newb to know exactly how much MEK is required

For mixing EPOXY, yes, but I'd go a step further and borrow the kitchen digital scales (loosely wrap them in clingwrap.) which is why I didnt make my example based on epoxy, even though it sets more slowly.

Yep, I'd recommend scales for epoxy. Mess that up and much heat will ensue Kitchen scales are cheap as chips now, something from the warehouse will suffice fine

[fLaThEaD FreD]

If anyone wants any imfo on carbon, or anything else to do with resins and composites, they can call me next week. tollfree on 0800 80 3001 at Nuplex Industries and I will e-mail them all the HOW TO DO IT sheets etc.
I'm currentley on sick leave after having a plate put on my collarbone but will return to work next Monday.
Or you can e-mail me with your details at peterc@nuplex.co.nz and I will reply then...cheers Peter

[flyingbrick]

earlier in the thread someone mentions $400 for a vac pump. I have seen an old fridge compressor used for this purpose. Is there any reason why this is not a good idea?

[Ocean1]

No reason at all a'tall.

Fridge compressor, washing machine motor, the Kiwi way.

Best consider what the resin solvents might do to the pump though. Pay to fit a vacuum resevoir between the sucky thing and the mould, couple of litres with a lid big enough to clean inside.

[CookMySock]

Fridge compressor, washing machine motor, the Kiwi way.

You can, but the compressor will overheat, run out of oil, suck down way too hard etc.

If you use a pressure switch to regulate it, then it will cycle on and off moving the layup and probably borking it.

You MIGHT be able to use a vacuum pump, reciever, and vac regulator, and that might keep things constant without cycling the layup pressure to much.

Maybe an automotive airco compressor.


DB

[Ocean1]

You can, but the compressor will overheat, run out of oil, suck down way too hard etc.

If you use a pressure switch to regulate it, then it will cycle on and off moving the layup and probably borking it.

You MIGHT be able to use a vacuum pump, reciever, and vac regulator, and that might keep things constant without cycling the layup pressure to much.

Maybe an automotive airco compressor.


DB

Meh.

Wee flow control valve on the reservoir, controled leak, cools compressor too.

Want to experiment with req'd suction, apart from that what's to lose?

[imdying]

You can, but the compressor will overheat

Naw, you're not running it hard.

run out of oil

Naw, in fact you'll need to remove a little from it before you can use it.

suck down way too hard etc.

Naw, more likely now hard enough.

If you use a pressure switch to regulate it, then it will cycle on and off moving the layup and probably borking it.

Naw, but you'd use a trap in any case.

[flyingbrick]

OK well i did some research just incase anyone is interested.
http://www.dream-models.com/eco/vacuumpump.html
http://www.paragoncode.com/shop/vacuum_pump/
http://www.badger.rchomepage.com/vacbag.html
http://www.belljar.net/refrig.htm

im going to try grab one soon for a play.

[birdhandler]

Fridge compressor, washing machine motor, the Kiwi way.

Best consider what the resin solvents might do to the pump though. Pay to fit a vacuum resevoir between the sucky thing and the mould, couple of litres with a lid big enough to clean inside


Is there any reason you could not just use a vacuum cleaner apart from spousal disapproval ?

[Ocean1]

Is there any reason you could not just use a vacuum cleaner apart from spousal disapproval ?

Yes. The motor in a vacuum cleaner is... not safe in close proximity to flamable vapours. Can't remember what the LEL is for the solvents involved, but there's a reasonable chance the gas flow through the pump will drop into that range at some point during the pull-down. The motor would almost certainly ignite it when that happens, seen it happen on an industrial scale, major bang.

Besides, spousal approval don't come that clearly defined. "Fine" usually don't mean what you think it does...