3D Demystifying Vacuum Bagging of foam wings!!
- Thread starter Terryscustom
- Start date
Terryscustom
640cc Uber Pimp
Lets put a profile in a vacuum bag and see how strong it is
Now, you can't say you didn't expect at least something back!
Terryscustom
640cc Uber Pimp
LOL, I meant put a complete RTF profile in the bag and see how flat we can make it.....you are underestimating my little dancing devil
Terryscustom
640cc Uber Pimp
OK, I found something to try out my new vacuum pump / tank setup!! I'm making new wings for my 88" EF Edge so I need a socket to fit the metric tube.
I coated the stock tube with Vaseline since from what I've seen on the web this works better than PVA and wax. Then I rolled the tube in parchment paper and taped the ends.
I cut my first glass and mixed resin. I wanted to try to give it a carbon fiber look so I mixed in some graphite powder. Spread the resin on the glass and roll it onto the wing tube.
Then I had this fiberglass sleeve that I've never used before that is made from 10oz fabric. I slid that over the wraps of fiberglass and pulled it tight. Then I mixed up more resin but this time I put graphite and one heaping teaspoon of a filler that I used on my cowl molds that is micro-balloons, silica and 1/32" milled glass fibers. This made the resin into a black paste about the consistency of ketchup. This will add strength, and also fill the weave of the 10oz fabric so I don't have holes through the finished tube (at least I think that's what it will do).
Then I wrapped it with stretch wrap and put it in the vacuum bag. Only thing I thought of after that was that I should have wrapped it with wax paper, then stretch wrap for a smoother finished product. But, I'll try that next time.....this won't get seen after installation anyway so for now it's a test.
So, since I've never done this before we'll all find out if it passes or fails in a few hours......
I coated the stock tube with Vaseline since from what I've seen on the web this works better than PVA and wax. Then I rolled the tube in parchment paper and taped the ends.
I cut my first glass and mixed resin. I wanted to try to give it a carbon fiber look so I mixed in some graphite powder. Spread the resin on the glass and roll it onto the wing tube.
Then I had this fiberglass sleeve that I've never used before that is made from 10oz fabric. I slid that over the wraps of fiberglass and pulled it tight. Then I mixed up more resin but this time I put graphite and one heaping teaspoon of a filler that I used on my cowl molds that is micro-balloons, silica and 1/32" milled glass fibers. This made the resin into a black paste about the consistency of ketchup. This will add strength, and also fill the weave of the 10oz fabric so I don't have holes through the finished tube (at least I think that's what it will do).
Then I wrapped it with stretch wrap and put it in the vacuum bag. Only thing I thought of after that was that I should have wrapped it with wax paper, then stretch wrap for a smoother finished product. But, I'll try that next time.....this won't get seen after installation anyway so for now it's a test.
So, since I've never done this before we'll all find out if it passes or fails in a few hours......
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Jetpainter
640cc Uber Pimp
Nice, the black powder was a nice touch.
Terryscustom
640cc Uber Pimp
Well they came out absolutely fantastic......suffice to say I will never buy a phenolic tube again because this fits perfect....no slop at all. with one hand over the tube and one hand covering the end of the new phenolic it feels like a shock absorber when you push them together....no slop!
As predicted the stretch wrap left a rough outside finish but there is no holes in it so they are ready to use. Next time I'll wrap the assembly with parchment paper and then just tape that and stick it in the vacuum bag so it comes out smooth.
Already glued them into some freshly cut wing cores!
As predicted the stretch wrap left a rough outside finish but there is no holes in it so they are ready to use. Next time I'll wrap the assembly with parchment paper and then just tape that and stick it in the vacuum bag so it comes out smooth.
Already glued them into some freshly cut wing cores!
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BalsaDust
Moderator
LOL, I meant put a complete RTF profile in the bag and see how flat we can make it.....you are underestimating my little dancing devil
LOL I knew what the little dancing devil was for I was just taking it somewhere different. But yeah I don't think a slab would have much fun in a vacuum bag. That tube looks awesome by the way. Before you know it you will be a one stop shop making all the parts for your planes. Great work.