+x+x+x+xHi guys...I'm doing hand layup with a closed three part mold and compressing with a bladder. Trimming wet twill is difficult but it has advantages over waiting for the epoxy to tack up a bit (I use peel ply and breather cloth to remove excess epoxy). Is there a trick here I'm missing to make the job easier?
I use small curved bladed scissors and sharpness is key but so is scissor quality, I opened two pair for the last layup and one trimmed pretty well while the other went in the bin. I don't mind spending money if someone can suggest a high quality curved blade set.
All the best...Chris
Im just in the learning curve here. But what ive been told.(rc boats..) with 2 part closed moulds. They use peelply on the edge they want to join if the mould is completely closed and they cant reach in. When its firm but still sticky enough to stick to each other with easy they trim it by running a new stanleyknife blade or razorblade along the edge of the mould. Then join it with a little bit of fresh epoxy with cottonflakes on the edge.
Ive just made my first wet in wet layd boat. Did what they sayd. and its a nice fine seem thats super easy to trim after demoulding. Just ran a razor blade along the seem when it was demoulded. Offcourse. Cut the fiber in the direction of the mould to not prerelease the part. And i layd the knifes edge flat against the mould at all times..
Verry interested in what our pros and diehards have to comment on this topic.
So the peel ply helps with trimming and is then removed? Could you give me a link to the site you use...cheers for your help...Chris
No the peel doesnt help. What they told me.. put peel on the edge. When wet. Then wait till its firm enough to not delaminate when you cut it... and put some new mixed epoxy on the edge with a little bit of cotton flocks. So i did what they sayd.(just a little.. you dont want to much resin on the edge you join..) and after you joined them. And its cured. Remove the bladder. Pull the peelply off and lay a glasstape or carbon tape over the joined edge.
Im just a noob. So. Onky can tell what they told me.
i didnt use peelply in this foto. But this is my join on the inside when i closed the mould.(i dont use a bladder) but that seem needs to be tight. So it joins up then closed. I dont know if youre able to get in when the mould id closed.. but would be best if you can to lay a tape over it before you insert the bladder. Then its 1 piece. Biaxial carbon tape or glass or whatever.
i can luckely reach in easy to join the tape but cant vacuum.. or use a bladder at home. Unfortunantly.
I had a go with a sharp blade and it works well, and right up until its nearly cured. A useful technique indeed...cheers.