CF Rigger Build

[Meniscus]

I'd like to see thise process in action.

So would I

...oh wait, nevermind. I'm going to see it again!

[ghostofpf1]

Best to wrap your foam plug with tape beforehand so you can pull it out after melting out the foam with solvent.Leaves far less mess to clean on the inside that way
good luck
Steve

[Meniscus]

That would be the best suggestion of the day! LOL, practical even.

[Ub Hauled]

Best to wrap your foam plug with tape beforehand so you can pull it out after melting out the foam with solvent.Leaves far less mess to clean on the inside that way
good luck
Steve

How does it affect the shape? I am assuming that there will be little ridges created by the tape on the final result...

[ghostofpf1]

How does it affect the shape? I am assuming that there will be little ridges created by the tape on the final result...

That material is pretty thick and if you're careful with the taping it should be a non-event.
Besides...to get a really smooth finish there's going to be some post work to be done anyway
Steve

[Meniscus]

So, am I buying Pam spray or tape?

LMAO!

[Meniscus]

Just for intrest sake, this is a hull that was made by the lost foam method. Composit materials can be purchased in tube form, more like a tube sock. The form is made of foam and the sock is pulled over and saturated with resin. This was made by Terry Keeley:

Joe, do you happen to know if those sponsons are in fact sea plane floats?

[Meniscus]

HELP!

OK, I'm getting ready to drill the sponsons, but I'm a concerned as to how I'm going to stabilize without drilling all the way through. If I do drill all the way through, how do I manage attachment on the other side with a curved surface?

I know someone has run into this issue previously

All input is welcome

Thanks!

[Reesor@work]

I know Terry Keeley, he's from Toronto and races in IMPBA. I have been to his shop and no those are not sea plane floats. Terry is a master craftsman. He uses a router to shape most of the profiles on his cowls, and sponsons. He is also a master at vacuum bagging.

His boats are quite simply works of art. His riggers are all his own designs. If you want to see some How-to pictorials, check out his album over on International Waters. If you really want to drool, check out his "dream shop"...its amazing.

[Meniscus]

I know Terry Keeley, he's from Toronto and races in IMPBA. I have been to his shop and no those are not sea plane floats. Terry is a master craftsman. He uses a router to shape most of the profiles on his cowls, and sponsons. He is also a master at vacuum bagging.

His boats are quite simply works of art. His riggers are all his own designs. If you want to see some How-to pictorials, check out his album over on International Waters. If you really want to drool, check out his "dream shop"...its amazing.

I did not intend to offend or discount others efforts or accomplishments. I was just curious.

Just wanted to set that straight.

Thanks for the input Reesor, I will definitely check out those how-to-pictorials. Any chance they include some ideas for my drilling issues and sponson attachment?

[j.m.]

So you decided to not do this the proven way?

I know I told you how everybody else does it (Because it WORKS)...

And who had the packing tape/pam idea?

That's not going to give you a smooth surface. At ALL.

Seal your plug with epoxy.

Sand it.

Seal again.

Paint it black. This will allow you to see all imperfections.

Sand again.

Paint/sand/paint untill the surface is exactly how you want the finished part to look.

I know this comes across as really harsh, but I don't wanna see you waste materials and ruin your plug by doing this the wrong way.

And if you really want to use a sleeve (And don't want to make a mold), you can get a smooth outer surface by using large heatshrink. I forget the name of the place that sells it, but it's available in pretty large diameters. I'll go search for it and get back to you later.

***EDIT*** Just looked up what Soller Composites sells>

They have heat shrink tubing specifically designed for this application available from .25" diameter to 7.1". Available at the bottom of this page:

http://www.solarcomposites.com/composites/carbon%20fiber%20sleeves.html

But it'll most likely take you a while to get there (with all the pretty stuff on that page). And yes, any of the sleeves they sell would be perfect. But more than one layer would be needed. So, something pretty like a carbon/kevlar outer sleeve, and then just carbon or basalt fiber on the inside.

[Meniscus]

So you decided to not do this the proven way?

I enjoy learning my own lessons in life. It is not a disregard for other's thoughts and ideas, quite the opposite.

And who had the packing tape/pam idea?

Humor.

I know this comes across as really harsh, but I don't wanna see you waste materials and ruin your plug by doing this the wrong way.

Not a big deal, my material and time.

JM,
...Do you have any pics of some of your work? I am Interested...

I would be interested to see as well.

[ghostofpf1]

I'd be careful using heat shrink tubing....It's made to use over hard substrates like a mandrel, may not be as controllable as you like and may overly compress your lost foam plug.

As far as j.m. laughing at my tape idea obviously you've never attempted the process so please....

Steve

[j.m.]

I'm still wondering how the tape would conform to the foam without either creases or a bunch of little lines where the edge of the tape is.

[Meniscus]

Ah, experience. How bittersweet!