epoxy and fiberglass matt

[strick]

It should. Sometimes it's better to wait a bit and let the piece get nice and sticky before you put it on. I've never tried the stitched matt other then whats in the 1808 and I like 1808 a lot. Epoxy will wet out regular matt you just have to work it in real good. Vacuume bagging would be the way to go. Thats above my level of intelligence
Here are a few pics of making fiberglass sheets from a molding table. Thats regular old matt being used with epoxy.



strick

[71kidcasper]

Strick Do you think you could describe the steps that you use when laying up sheets on your table. Also, how I can build a layup table. Just seeing those pictures has given me some wonderful ideas. I would really like to try it myself. Also, I would like to email you some pictures of my project so you can help me post them and I will start a thread on it.

[Miles Offshore]

Hey Strick- I really think you should move to the east coast- fishings much better than the left coast. preferably in the mid-atlantic region- maybe va beach- i know a few good realtors,lolol. Man you do pretty work.

[strick]

Jason used to have a description on this site which is were I learned about molding tables. I cant find it now. I used a piece of malanine sp? board from lowes or Home depot. wax it real good 4-5 times buffing as you go. You can gel coat or use durateck and then start laying up on top of that. There are many variations but thats the basics. I'm out of here...going hunting for 4 days.

strick

[71kidcasper]

Strick, when using gel coat or durateck on your molding table do you allow them to dry before laying up the glass. Also, in some of your pictures I noticed that you were making molds with something that didn't seem to be melamine. I'm refering to the transition piece between your livewell and the seat that you constructed, which turned out beautiful by the way. Also I sent Jason a PM and he informed me that the pages that you refered to were lost when the website was revamped in january.

[warthog5]

Melimene [sp?] is usually a thin sheet material, kind's like Formica which can be used too.

When building a layup table it need's to be made with material's that will not warp.

Typical for our use would be a panel that can be setup and taken down just laid on a few sawhorse's.

A sheet of decent 3/4in plywood and a sheet of 3/4in MDF [Mediun Density Fiberboard] glued together Then a sheet of Formica glued on each side with the exposed edges of the wood sealed should work well.

The Formica on the bottom side help's to keep it balanced and sealed from moisture.

Storage is important too and can be a pain with limited storage room.

I use the regular mold release wax to wax it. It's available from the fiberglass supply house's.

Strick use's a bunch of 3/4in MDF to build mold's, like the one for his leaning post and motor bracket.

He knock's 'em out quick. He's a mold building son of gun.
He's taken Bigshrimpin under his wing now, teaching him the ropes.

[Ed]

Ah....the infamous "Burro Brand" sawhorses show their faces once again. That means the California boys are busy mixing resin....and it aint for surfboards.

[strick]

Ah....the infamous "Burro Brand" sawhorses show their faces once again. That means the California boys are busy mixing resin....and it aint for surfboards.

Looks like the cats out of the bag. Thats Bigshrimpin's project so I'll let him do the posting on that one. I've been holding his pic's hostage.

71kidcasper- To answer your question I let the duratec set up till it is still a little tacky then start the lay up. Never worked with gel coat. MDF makes good one off mold material.

strick