Mould Making Advice

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Mould Making Advice

Author	Message
ABrigham	ABrigham posted 9 Years Ago HOT Topic Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 2, Visits: 26	Hi, I am planning on making a small (approximately 1m x 0.5m x 0.5m) hull for a vehicle, but is effectively a boat hull with no contours just straight (tapered) sides out of glass fibre. I will only be making one model and have limited time, so rather than manufacturing a plug of the intended shape out of polyurethane then using the uni mould system to create the mould for the hull, is it possible to just create the inverse shape of the hull out of polyurethane (or another material) and cover it with (I think) a protective resin and a gel coat. I could then just hand lay up the fibres within this mould, would this be possible? I guess the other option would just to make a male mould of the product and lay up around that (although I do appreciate the surface finishing would then be on inside). I would very much appreciate any help I can get on this matter. See attached for the rough shape of the final required product (note it is upside down). Many thanks A Attachments Last years carbon fibre hull.jpg (525 views, 193.00 KB)
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Dravis	Dravis posted 9 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 592, Visits: 1.9K	You can easily get a reasonably nice outside surface on something like this, made on a male "Plug-mold" -- Only one step .. Make a "plug" that has the desired shape and the INSIDE measurements of the "hull" .. Finish the surface of the plug to the degree of surface finish you would want on the inside of the hull .. (No need to polish to mirror finish .. ) Then release coat it properly .. Lay up your hull, and while the epoxy is still tacky, paint on a coat of coating epoxy .. When it is all cured Sand/wet-sand the surface to desired finish .. Then maybe clear coat .. Pay attention to laying up the last layer of CF nicely, cut a lot and drape .. then the CF pattern will look nice through the clear coat .. "Sapere Aude"... Dare to KNOW! The written word is the only truly efficient vehicle for transmitting a complex concept from mind to mind... 103% of all people do not understand statistics... Do not adjust our mind, theres a fault in reality :-)
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ABrigham	ABrigham posted 9 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 2, Visits: 26	Thanks very much for the help. What material would you suggest the plug to be made out of? If I used polyurethane or wood what would the steps be to make it ready for lay up?
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Dravis	Dravis posted 9 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 592, Visits: 1.9K	Take a look at the EC tutorial for making a Pattern -- the EC pattern coat materials are very good and easy to use, but you can do the same with just some fillers and coating epoxy, I have used EC laminating epoxy and added fillers to that (Glass microballons) graphite etc .. Since you are not aiming for a mirror finish on the inside of your "hull" epoxy works just fine .. Good luck! "Sapere Aude"... Dare to KNOW! The written word is the only truly efficient vehicle for transmitting a complex concept from mind to mind... 103% of all people do not understand statistics... Do not adjust our mind, theres a fault in reality :-)
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