I am attempting my first CF layup / vacuum bag this evening. Of course the piece is likely one of the most complex pieces and layups to attempt even for an experienced person, let alone a rookie...see below. This will have two layers wrapped around the outside with two layers from the bottom up the flat side and piece laid on the bottom with one final layer wrapped inside. The piece is made from a Madcow 4" x 8" coupler, cut down to 5" in length with 6 layers of the paper removed leaving the thickness at about .035". The plywood is 1/4" on the back and bottom and the bottom piece is internal to the half tube vs the tube sitting on top of it, this provided me the largest adhesion area to epoxying it together. The piece was made two weeks ago and is well cured and the tube was left rough both inside and out to help promote the epoxy to both saturate and adhere to the paper.
The CF is 3K 2x2 Twill, I have my vacuum bag prepped, my patterns made, peel-ply and breather cut, and I will be using Aeropoxy PR2032 resin with PH3665 hardener, which has a two hour pot life.
My questions are the following:
- considering the pieces are not flat or round where I can leave excess to be trimmed out later, what is the best way to cut this? I was thinking to cut the pattern large with masking tape on the edges, wet out then place on the piece and cut the tape off still wet. This of course will make a mess of my nice new and insanely expensive CF scissors, but I can't see another way. Tips appreciated. Keep in mind I want to lay this up in one go so it cures as a single piece.
- how do I measure out the epoxy so I have enough for the layup, taking into consideration some saturation.
- how do I cut and lay down the 2 layers so I can gain some strength, looks are not a concern.
View attachment 175675
The CF is 3K 2x2 Twill, I have my vacuum bag prepped, my patterns made, peel-ply and breather cut, and I will be using Aeropoxy PR2032 resin with PH3665 hardener, which has a two hour pot life.
My questions are the following:
- considering the pieces are not flat or round where I can leave excess to be trimmed out later, what is the best way to cut this? I was thinking to cut the pattern large with masking tape on the edges, wet out then place on the piece and cut the tape off still wet. This of course will make a mess of my nice new and insanely expensive CF scissors, but I can't see another way. Tips appreciated. Keep in mind I want to lay this up in one go so it cures as a single piece.
- how do I measure out the epoxy so I have enough for the layup, taking into consideration some saturation.
- how do I cut and lay down the 2 layers so I can gain some strength, looks are not a concern.
View attachment 175675