Building larger body panels from scratch


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Hanaldo
Hanaldo
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Hey all,



I know a few guys on here have experience with building kit cars and the likes, and was hoping for some advice on building larger plugs from scratch. So far all the patterns I have created have been relatively small and I've built them using 2D cross-sections and polyurethane foam. However I have been asked to design and build a carbon fibre roof for this:

https://scontent-b-hkg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10590421_10152213200857541_218418478155526363_n.jpg




Now the original never had a roof panel, so this is something that I will need to design and build totally from scratch. The design aspect I'm fine with, and I'm sure I could find a creative solution for creating a 2D cross-section and polurethane foam plug, but I wanted to find out if there is a better way to go about it? I realise MDF etc. are good options for flat areas, but are there any other good methods for building something like this?


Also, on an unrelated note, I could do with some business advice. I haven't been operating as a business for very long, and having never taken on a project like this before, I'm a little bit unsure on how to quote for it... Normally I work out material costs and try to estimate labour time and come up with a number from there, however I have no idea how much either of those things will end up with this project. It's a large project and will involve a lot of time I'm sure, so for those of you in the industry: how do you quote or charge for a project where you are unsure on how much you need to charge to be profitable? Last thing I want to do is underquote and end up having to pay for this thing out of my own pocket, I need to make sure I make a good profit on the job.



Thanks for any help, always much appreciated.
Cheers,
Martin.
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brainfart
brainfart
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> I need to be sure that I don't sell myself short.

You probably will. Such projects tend to take longer than anticipated.

I'd split it up in more than two parts, like design, plug, mold and final part each.

GO

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