Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Way to go Don!
Lookin good.
Now that you have the mold building down, the next step on your next project will be vacuum bagging carbon fibre
After you clean out the foam, you might want to wrap some mat on the underside of the floorboard and up into the cavity of the tunnel to tie it in real good...

Yeah for sure I am going to fiberglass on the underside too, for strength and appearance. Don't want any groundhogs that I run over to be saying bad things about how it looks under there.

I will be very glad to get this part of the build done with, as it is the messiest part, what with all the fiberglass grinding and styrofoam shavings. At least when I start the bodywork I can wheel the body outside and keep the mess out of the shop.

Plan for today is to finish up the tunnel foam, and maybe get some mat laid on top of it. Thanks to you and Ken, I am in a better position timewise than I probably would have been.

Don

Oh, BTW, for anyone thinking of doing a fiberglass project, let me give you some advice on the supplies you are going to buy. Do not buy your fiberglass at any of the marine discount store chains (Like West Marine or Boaters World) They carry the prepackaged stuff and charge you 5 times what it is worth. You want to either find an old time marine store where they sell the mat and cloth by the yard, or a fiberglass house that sells it the same way. Also, you are going to need LOTS of materials. I bought 10 yards of mat and thought I would have enough for the rest of my life.......wrong. I may have to go back and get some more before it's over. I also bought 3 gallons of resin, thinking Don would have some for his T bucket. I am now half way through the second gallon, and will use a lot more before I am done.

You are also going to use lots and lots of throwaway brushes, plastic mixing buckets, stir sticks, and latex gloves. If possible, buy these in bulk. You can recycle the plastic buckets as the cured resin pops out of it when dry, but I have been just tossing them because I don't feel like fooling around with them.

You will want a couple of pairs of decent scissors........one to just cut dry cloth or mat with, and one that will get all sticky and ruined because you will use it to cut the fiberglass as you are doing the work. Buy some that you don't mind tossing when the job is all done.

It is amazing how much fiberglass, resin, and tools you go through doing this work. Everytime I go to the local marine store I am spending another $ 100 bill, and not walking away with a whole lot of stuff. Also pick up at least a gallon of laquer thinner and maybe some acetone for cleanup and dewaxing, and lots of rags to go with them.

Don i have read alot on this molding , but to see you in process really clarifies the procedure . Not that im planning to itch or anything . Great class and work looks really good.

Don,
I know it's messy working with the foam the way we instructed you, but there is a method to shaping the foam that is entirely dust free and gives it a final finish.
It's called the hot wire and bow.
The reason I didn't reccomend this off the bat is because you'd have to do searching for the components (all readily available, and inexpensive) and if this is a one time thing, you'd be using time that wouldn't offset the convenience.
It basically consists of a power source, rheostat, piano wire, some lamp cord and a wood frame.
Essentially the piano wire is strung between the open ends of a wood frame you construct in a u shape. The ends of the piano wire are connected to the power source. The rheostat adjusts the heat range (voltage to the wire).
This baby cuts like butter.
If you or anyone here, ever want to make one let me know and I'll draw up some plans and give you a build sheet.

NOW YOU TELL ME !!! I probably wouldn't have done it anyway because me and electricity sometimes aren't a good mix, but I see the concept. Even though I mentioned the mess it made, the particles aren't a real problem like fiberglass grindings or stuff like that. It is just basically white styrofoam popcorn that swept and vacuumed up real easy. (The cats thought it had snowed in Florida and had a field day playing in it. )


Bob, what's the matter? You haven't lived until you have laid in bed trying to sleep and the itching is keeping you awake. It's something everyone should experience once in their life. Knock on wood, I have been itchfree this entire build so far. I have been taking everyones suggestions, plus wearing my white paper suit and mask. Blowing off with compressed air also seems to be helping as well as sweeping up very often.

But I'm sure before this thing is done I will screw up and get a few slivers in me.

Don

No ploblem Glasshopper!