first tube fiberglassed

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watermelonman

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I finally finished my first fiberglass cloth project, many thanks to TopRamen! I cannot believe how much I waited and how intimidated I was. It came together great and easily, as long as you watch the technique and take your time.

I am still clueless and curious, though, on what the impact will be. Anyone have a rough idea or way to gauge strength added by each layer? What has more impact, cloth weight, layer count, or layup schedule?
 
Is there a video you watched to see the technique, or did you get an in person demonstration? I'd love to watch a demo of this process myself, I'm very curious how it works.
 
You bet!

[video=youtube;bjZNyXsd8gw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjZNyXsd8gw[/video]
 
I knew you would like it Watermelonman!
I have never gone beyond one layer of cloth myself. I'm not Level 1 yet, and one layer of the appropriate weight cloth will probably handle any motors I'm likely to use, as well as being flexible and durable enough to be handled and ride to the fields in the back of my truck.
I'm actually about to glass a tube right now, but sat down to eat some lunch first as I hate to start a glass job on an empty stomach.
 
Way to go - Totally Tubular !

I have done extensive testing and the results are in :

1. In the set it against the car while I load the heavy stuff first test - it always falls over eventually : no ding, no crease

2 In the riding along with other rockets and rubbing a spot test : some paint marred , no noticeable tube damage

3 In the kid, I will bring it to you test, including two drops : did not crumple or misshape

4 In the real flight test where TTW fins shreded : nose , fillets and tube ok, 1./2 inch zipper ,fins need to be redone and replaced .

5 In the weight test my single wrapped Estes 4 inch tube for the MDRM weighed 3/4 of equivalent sized Blue Tube and just a little over half of a Performance Rocketry tube .

I wrapped the tube, not to make it indestructible, but to minimize some of the damage that ravages my paper rockets, falling over, bouncing on another rocket for 3 hours in transport, zippers ect . In the rocket shred, the nose came forward during boost so a half inch zipper is remarkably small damage .

Kenny
 
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I finally finished my first fiberglass cloth project, many thanks to TopRamen! I cannot believe how much I waited and how intimidated I was. It came together great and easily, as long as you watch the technique and take your time.

I am still clueless and curious, though, on what the impact will be. Anyone have a rough idea or way to gauge strength added by each layer? What has more impact, cloth weight, layer count, or layup schedule?
.
Eric, Sorry we've not been able to get together yet. Some ramblings in an attempt to answer some of your questions. Like plywood, the more layers there are the stronger it will be. The thinner the glass is the stronger it will be..to a given final thickness. I do all the wraps all at once, I think this will give you a much stronger final product compared to several single..let cure..and wrap another layer..layup. Once you get to about 8 layers things do start to get squishy and could lead to a not so round final product. As far as strength goes see below.
some of the projects I've done.

3 layers of 6 oz on a peeled 54mm tube will hold up to several flights on K700 or K1275's to just under mach 2
6 layers of 6 oz 98mm min dia https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?19534-My-next-project&highlight=tuff
5 layers of 5.7 oz carbon fiber 3" min dia https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?107179-3-quot-min-dia-rocket
3 layers of 5.7 oz carbon 54mm min dia https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?107179-3-quot-min-dia-rocket
I've done as many as 12 layers of 6 oz glass for a 5" min dia rocket [video=youtube;OZ2v48CoLqY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ2v48CoLqY[/video]

Tony
 
Tony, I remember doing a chat on RP about this with you.

Do you use heat shrink tape? Do you do a post cure in an oven?

At what point in terms of number of layers and weight do you think it makes sense to change to carbon fiber?
 
Mark, That RP Chat was awhile back. How time flies! I do not use shrink tape just the 2 layers/wraps of the POROUS TEFLON COATED RELEASE FILM https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cmpages/vb7025.php This product seems stiffer then other "peel plies". I use 2 wraps to aid in a more rounder tube. This is important when you get into 6 or more layers. I have some high temp epoxy that requires temp cure to achieve max properties, but only use that on special projects. In the past I've used Raka 900 with 631 hardner. I have to thin this epoxy to be able to laminate with it. I'm just now finishing up a gallon of Proline 4100 which has been OK. I'll be needing another gallon soon and am not sure what I'm going to buy. I may go back to the Raka.
As for Carbon fiber. You will need less layers for the same strength. If your going for some altitude record this will be important. Less layers equals less weight too. I feel that Fiberglass is a bit more forgiving then CF. Forgiving as in "give. And of course everyone knows, Chicks dig guys that fly Carbon Fiber rockets!

Tony
 
Tony, what are you using for an oven? This is something in my to do list- an oven for post curing.
 
.
Eric, Sorry we've not been able to get together yet. Some ramblings in an attempt to answer some of your questions. Like plywood, the more layers there are the stronger it will be. The thinner the glass is the stronger it will be..to a given final thickness. I do all the wraps all at once, I think this will give you a much stronger final product compared to several single..let cure..and wrap another layer..layup. Once you get to about 8 layers things do start to get squishy and could lead to a not so round final product. As far as strength goes see below.
some of the projects I've done.

3 layers of 6 oz on a peeled 54mm tube will hold up to several flights on K700 or K1275's to just under mach 2
6 layers of 6 oz 98mm min dia https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?19534-My-next-project&highlight=tuff
5 layers of 5.7 oz carbon fiber 3" min dia https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?107179-3-quot-min-dia-rocket
3 layers of 5.7 oz carbon 54mm min dia https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?107179-3-quot-min-dia-rocket
I've done as many as 12 layers of 6 oz glass for a 5" min dia rocket[/video]

Tony

Tony,
Thanks for keeping me in mind, and no problem at all! Seeing what you, Richard, and Ken do is a big part of my motivation and inspiration these days, so even when you are not helping me directly you are still a big boost. Those videos are a wonderful resource for everyone, too!
 
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