Post by Admin on Sept 24, 2018 7:10:08 GMT -5
F3W
Exalted Member
Posts: 111
Post by F3W on Jan 18, 2009 at 1:38pm
I would like to point out some good info that I have read on a few pages while surfing the web...what I discovered was that fiberglass alone doesn't have enough strength by itself unless countless hours and many layers are built up...the ideal thickness they say is 1/4" for use as body panels...this will give your panel enough tinsel strength so it will not vibrate and rattle as bad as a panel that is 1/8" in thickness.
My research on several sites believe this or not, recommended that the use of 1/4" plywood as a starting platform would cut your build time by one third and your construction costs by half!...that to me is a very attractive formula...I will also point out that now you will have a much stronger panel in short order that will withstand a plow from a hammer and this will be only after 3 layers of glass!
The recommended 1/4" plywood is of the grade A or marine grade...this base would also simplify the plug process and increase your motivation to see your product taking shape...even if your building over a home made frame, you could still make and cut panels to fit...the plywood can also be bent into curves with steam , then when the part cools it will hold its shape.
I did not want to mention anything about foam filling or using styrofoam as this post is only for information regarding the use of plywood and fiberglass in conjunction to form a stronger more rigid body panel...I purposely did not post any links on this post because they had nothing to do with RT's...I just gathered this info and combined it all into my own words without going into great FG (fiberglass) tech.
Dave
Just because it looks pretty on the out side doesn't mean it will get you from point A to point B...know what you drive and take care of what you know!
_________________________
glassman
Full Member
Post by glassman on Dec 20, 2010 at 12:39pm
Dave, I would be happy to have a discussion about fiberglass techniques and construction. I have strong background in composite construction and manufacturing in Race applications. Hence the screen name Glasssman
I plan to use a sandwich construction, but I do not plan on using plywood. It is a good substraight for a beginner, but I feel it to be a little old school (i.e. Tri-magnum, etc) There are so many options that anyone can use, that make wood unneccessary. I will PM you my number if you want to chat.
Glassman
Scott
_______________________
mtntech
Exalted Member
Post by mtntech on Jun 28, 2012 at 12:48am
If I were to use wood as a starting point I would use 1/8" .
________________________
joeld0803
Full Member
Post by joeld0803 on Oct 26, 2012 at 10:08am
Has anyone used coroplast as a initial panal and fiberglassed over it?
Or possibly Styrene panels?
Either I would think could heated with a heat gun to obtain some nice curves prior to the fiberglass for added strength.
A 4X8 sheet of coroplast runs approx $12.00 where as the styrene is more expensive and more dense. 1/8 thick styrene panels cost about $45.00 a 4X8 sheet.
I am considering it over plywood due to weight concern.
_______________________
DaveJ98092
Administrator
Post by DaveJ98092 on Oct 27, 2012 at 12:59am
I have seen Coroplast (Corrugated Plastic) used in many ways to include Glassing over it. You must match the type of resin to the board as I think styrene is melted by polyester resin, could be wrong. The coroplast surface is smooth and I think you'd have to roughen it up some for the resin to bite into or it may delam on you.
After the election there will be 1000's of Coroplast signs out there for free. There are about 5 4X8 signs about 1 mile from me. Three for the Democrat and 2 Republican for our Governor race.
______________________
bede1026
Post by bede1026 on Mar 31, 2014 at 8:04pm
I am new to this, but have built an Indycycle using the wood strips and formers. Its fun but using aircraft 1/4" foam would be faster and lighter. Have used both methods on my Indycycle.
______________________
kolibri
Junior Member
Post by kolibri on Apr 1, 2014 at 3:14am
Welcome to the forum bede1026: any pics or homepage of the Indycycle?
bede1026
Post by bede1026 on Apr 2, 2014 at 8:15am
I have pictures of the complete build. A fun project took me three years to complete. Since completion I have entered four car shows and taken home a trophy From each. I can send some pictures to an email address, but that's all I can do. My email is bede1926@aol.com
_____________________
Mick
Full Member
Post by Mick on Feb 13, 2015 at 9:08am
My project uses a ply and foam core but because it is a monocoque structure and not just bodywork I have used carbon fibre and epoxy resin inside and out, it is unbelievably rigid! I decided against using glass and polyester resin as it had been known to not bond very well to plywood, lots of boats have delaminated over time. I have been informed by my composite supplier that a good bond to ply can be achieved with polyester resin by first coating the plywood with G4 polyseter primer then laminate over the top of this.
______________________
mtntech
Exalted Member
Post by mtntech on Feb 16, 2015 at 9:46pm
That is correct. It opens up the pores of the wood.
_____________________
srx660
Administrator
Post by srx660 on Aug 28, 2018 at 3:31pm
I found a you tube video about different types and uses of foam. I saved the link and didn't think about it again until i'm deciding how i want to build the body for my trike. So, a year later here it is.
I also found a video on types of fiberglass and what they are for.
______________________
mtntech
Exalted Member
Post by mtntech on Oct 24, 2013 at 12:46am
Here's a great example of foam use.
www.autoblog.com/2008/05/30/lithuanian-builds-car-from-polyurethane-foam/
Exalted Member
Posts: 111
Post by F3W on Jan 18, 2009 at 1:38pm
I would like to point out some good info that I have read on a few pages while surfing the web...what I discovered was that fiberglass alone doesn't have enough strength by itself unless countless hours and many layers are built up...the ideal thickness they say is 1/4" for use as body panels...this will give your panel enough tinsel strength so it will not vibrate and rattle as bad as a panel that is 1/8" in thickness.
My research on several sites believe this or not, recommended that the use of 1/4" plywood as a starting platform would cut your build time by one third and your construction costs by half!...that to me is a very attractive formula...I will also point out that now you will have a much stronger panel in short order that will withstand a plow from a hammer and this will be only after 3 layers of glass!
The recommended 1/4" plywood is of the grade A or marine grade...this base would also simplify the plug process and increase your motivation to see your product taking shape...even if your building over a home made frame, you could still make and cut panels to fit...the plywood can also be bent into curves with steam , then when the part cools it will hold its shape.
I did not want to mention anything about foam filling or using styrofoam as this post is only for information regarding the use of plywood and fiberglass in conjunction to form a stronger more rigid body panel...I purposely did not post any links on this post because they had nothing to do with RT's...I just gathered this info and combined it all into my own words without going into great FG (fiberglass) tech.
Dave
Just because it looks pretty on the out side doesn't mean it will get you from point A to point B...know what you drive and take care of what you know!
_________________________
glassman
Full Member
Post by glassman on Dec 20, 2010 at 12:39pm
Dave, I would be happy to have a discussion about fiberglass techniques and construction. I have strong background in composite construction and manufacturing in Race applications. Hence the screen name Glasssman
I plan to use a sandwich construction, but I do not plan on using plywood. It is a good substraight for a beginner, but I feel it to be a little old school (i.e. Tri-magnum, etc) There are so many options that anyone can use, that make wood unneccessary. I will PM you my number if you want to chat.
Glassman
Scott
_______________________
mtntech
Exalted Member
Post by mtntech on Jun 28, 2012 at 12:48am
If I were to use wood as a starting point I would use 1/8" .
________________________
joeld0803
Full Member
Post by joeld0803 on Oct 26, 2012 at 10:08am
Has anyone used coroplast as a initial panal and fiberglassed over it?
Or possibly Styrene panels?
Either I would think could heated with a heat gun to obtain some nice curves prior to the fiberglass for added strength.
A 4X8 sheet of coroplast runs approx $12.00 where as the styrene is more expensive and more dense. 1/8 thick styrene panels cost about $45.00 a 4X8 sheet.
I am considering it over plywood due to weight concern.
_______________________
DaveJ98092
Administrator
Post by DaveJ98092 on Oct 27, 2012 at 12:59am
I have seen Coroplast (Corrugated Plastic) used in many ways to include Glassing over it. You must match the type of resin to the board as I think styrene is melted by polyester resin, could be wrong. The coroplast surface is smooth and I think you'd have to roughen it up some for the resin to bite into or it may delam on you.
After the election there will be 1000's of Coroplast signs out there for free. There are about 5 4X8 signs about 1 mile from me. Three for the Democrat and 2 Republican for our Governor race.
______________________
bede1026
Post by bede1026 on Mar 31, 2014 at 8:04pm
I am new to this, but have built an Indycycle using the wood strips and formers. Its fun but using aircraft 1/4" foam would be faster and lighter. Have used both methods on my Indycycle.
______________________
kolibri
Junior Member
Post by kolibri on Apr 1, 2014 at 3:14am
Welcome to the forum bede1026: any pics or homepage of the Indycycle?
bede1026
Post by bede1026 on Apr 2, 2014 at 8:15am
I have pictures of the complete build. A fun project took me three years to complete. Since completion I have entered four car shows and taken home a trophy From each. I can send some pictures to an email address, but that's all I can do. My email is bede1926@aol.com
_____________________
Mick
Full Member
Post by Mick on Feb 13, 2015 at 9:08am
My project uses a ply and foam core but because it is a monocoque structure and not just bodywork I have used carbon fibre and epoxy resin inside and out, it is unbelievably rigid! I decided against using glass and polyester resin as it had been known to not bond very well to plywood, lots of boats have delaminated over time. I have been informed by my composite supplier that a good bond to ply can be achieved with polyester resin by first coating the plywood with G4 polyseter primer then laminate over the top of this.
______________________
mtntech
Exalted Member
Post by mtntech on Feb 16, 2015 at 9:46pm
That is correct. It opens up the pores of the wood.
_____________________
srx660
Administrator
Post by srx660 on Aug 28, 2018 at 3:31pm
I found a you tube video about different types and uses of foam. I saved the link and didn't think about it again until i'm deciding how i want to build the body for my trike. So, a year later here it is.
I also found a video on types of fiberglass and what they are for.
______________________
mtntech
Exalted Member
Post by mtntech on Oct 24, 2013 at 12:46am
Here's a great example of foam use.
www.autoblog.com/2008/05/30/lithuanian-builds-car-from-polyurethane-foam/