I am close to finally infusing a 12' female canoe mold. It will be an ultralight and consist of one layer s-glass, core, one layer s-glass. I am always looking for tips on resin infusion. The three tips I list are from the below link:

https://explorecomposites.com/2019/11/19/troubleshooting-vacuum-infusion

I would like to get feedback on:

1) Degas the resin before infusing. Is this mandatory?

2) Do not turn off the vacuum pump until the part has gelled. I'm using a borrowed oil-based pump and really doubt it would would run continuously for 24 hours. I assumed that once I determine the bag does not leak, I can clamp off the resin hose and close the vacuum gauge I am using between the pump and mold. Is this a bad idea?

3) The resin bucket has to be below the part being infused. Resin pooling is the given reason. My thought is if I clamp off the resin line prior to the resin flow getting to the edge of the part, there would not be a resin pooling issue. Am I incorrect?

Thank you.

Alan
 

If your bag is leak tight (from doing a longer leak test), then you don't need to leave the pump running once the infusion is complete. 

There are mixed results with having the resin bucket higher or lower than the part, IME it makes little difference on decent sized parts. Certainly on a large hull like you are doing, I doubt it will make any real difference compared to having the resin pot at the same level as the part.

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant