MadMac

I'm looking though the HUGE lists of Epoxy and Polyester resins availabe but hopefull you guys can narrow the list down for me.

I need somthing that will be heat resistant enough to withstand say a hot engine bay/engine without melting or burning.

Anyone know what would be sutable?

GARETH T

west system epoxy

MadMac

Cheers Gareth just having a look at the website now

GARETH T

as your now into composties have a read of this
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/howibuil.htm

most impressive thing ive ever seen built in a garage

used west epoxy aswell

GARETH T

wouldnt think it would be strong enough would you

MadMac

Jesus that must have taken some time to do

Shame there arnt anymore pictures of him making the mouldings, but thats a proper cool.

Probably only cost him a few hundred quid to make too

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

I really get the feeling you shouldnt be doing all this - but as no one else will help you then fair play

Can't you just join a composite forum

Any epoxy type will be fine

MadMac

NUTS RuS, dont understand gotta learn some how aint I and asking for the advice of the pros is the only way I can pick up tips, so I can't work out if thats a dig or what

I can read all the books I want, but its not gonna tell me where I can find the decent stuff at the decent price is it?

Gareth, reading the article he did actually break an beam testing it

GARETH T

NUTS RuS,

cause he should be doing it

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Read it wrong mate - sorry if it came over misconstrewed.

I meant there are people out there who could help - but won't or can't because of the low volumes

Im all for anyone having a go themselves You will find much more technical info on a composite forum though if you need it.

Take a bow IMHO

MadMac

lol, ahhh alright chap no worries

Well are there any forums you go on then?

GARETH T

GARETH T

model planes,, is where you wanna look
you wouldnt believe what people have made

what you wanna make? i may be able to help

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Not personally - what I can't do myself I get mates in the business to help me out.

Lucky too as fabrication of plastics and GRP is my dads main job.

MadMac

Well gonna start off small, I'm designing a bonnet vent that will allow hot air out of the car, but direct cold air in, something a bit like the one on that cossied transit in Performance ford last year.

Gonna make a version of it with some wood, then make the mould from that with fiberglass then try and make a few versons in fiberglass before finally trying out some carbon. Was gonna use some till weave carbon, but the price of it compaired to plain weave!!!!

The problem is its going to be right over the carb, so its gotta allow heat out at standstill, have some grooves in the top of it, but a scoop at the front to allow air in as the car is moving. So its gotta stand up to the heat comming off the engine without burning and metling.

If the designs I had wern't shit I'd put them up

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Fiberglass will be fine for that application and won't "melt", plus it can be painted

GARETH T

theres other ways of doing it,, make you wooden mold,, then vacuum form it

GARETH T

MadMac

Now where do I find a vacume press (I think thats what it is called )

Good effort that thing

MadMac

Also been reading about the dyes you can put in the resin if you want to colour them which sounds cool

The main reason I want to use the carbon is for the look (yeah yeah I know I'm a tart )

ProjectBobcat

schools and colleges all have vaccuum formers, they will prob let u borrow theres if u ask nicely.

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

I put a black coloured dye in my back 1/4 panels

MadMac

My old secondary school has em..... but seeing as I failed CDT I dont think they will let me use em again

Billabong

Pretty sure I know what that's going to be Gareth

NUTS RuS

iTrader: (35)

Got to be the new Impreza bonnet scoop Bill

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

LOL @ tony


you making a carbon inlet gareth

GARETH T

MadMac,

i found a company on yell.com, took it down there and paid

Billabong,
busted
Freddy_mercury_magic,

it was going to be an inlet,, but that idea is now scrap,, (TBH i dont a few things wrong ) also ive changed the design alot

NUTS RuS,

MadMac

A vacume press would be useful, but unless I go into full time production I really really can't justtify the cost... s'upose I could rent one....

GARETH T

i didnt know you was going to start this is a business

its not a vacuum press btw, its a vacuum forming machine

cost me 40 quid to have that part done

theres other ways of making molds mate,,, hot wire cutting dense foam

GTechR

Stu... I need some bits makin, we'll have a chat on MSN!!

Paul Eggleton

My bits and pieces are coming along alright. Still playing with the right amount of release wax to get a good finish. Haven't gone for the cam cover yet though as that uses a fair amount of the cloth

MadMac

Well..... yes and no.... my mate whos pretty good with designing parts and working with wood is gonna fabricate parts from scratch and provide me with the work space to do it in.

I'm gonna make bits for my car, his car.... well just about anyone that asks really.

If people want enough stuff, then I'll serious consider doing it properly, but for now, just a winter project while the shows are off.

Paul, I'm just going by what the books says and applying at least 3 layers

Wazzzer

Could get an idea on the different materials from SP Systems over here