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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1735.0. "fiberglass over cardboard for shipping containers?" by ULTRA::WITTENBERG (Uphill, Into the Wind) Fri Sep 07 1990 13:06

    The summer 1990 issue of "The Recumbent Cyclist" has an article by
    Steven  Roberts  (of  Computing  across America, Winebiko fame) on
    CPSC,  which  is a fiberglass over cardboard composite. He used it
    to build his trailer.

    My Counterpoint  came in a large (7' x 3' x 1') cardboard box, and
    I'd  like  to be able to bring it on airlines. Sooo, I figured I'd
    add fiberglass to this box and make it a permanent carrying case.

    Does anyone  have  any  experience with this? What epoxy would you
    use? Where's a good source of fiberglass? Is there a better way to
    make a more permanent shipping container?

--David
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
1735.1Styrofoam and fiberglassBOOKS::MULDOONI'll be right back - GodotFri Sep 07 1990 13:3623
    
        This sounds similar to one of the techniques used in 
     homebuilt aircraft construction. The difference is that
     styrofoam is used instead of cardboard. In the case of 
     aircraft, the styrofoam is carved/sanded to shape and
     then covered with resin-impregnated fiberglass cloth or
     mat. The outside is usually finished with a filler (epoxy?)
     mixed with "micro-spheres" and then sanded smooth. I
     don't see why this wouldn't work for a shipping case for
     the bike/recumbent as well. In fact, it should be fairly
     simple to build the rectangular box out of 1" s-foam panels
     and then cover it. You can even cement shaped blocks of foam
     inside the case before you lay the 'glass on to give you a
     molded or sculpted effect (similar to hard-shell camera cases).
    
        I might be able to dig up the titles of some books on the
     technique, or even the name of someone local to you that is
     constructing a plane this way. Drop me a line or give a call
     and I'll try to provide more info.
    
    
                                             Steve
                                             DTN 237-6306
1735.2Different sport, same composites.TALLIS::JBELLZeno was almost hereFri Sep 07 1990 14:0711
    For epoxy and fiberglass, try calling New England Whitewater.
    They sell the stuff by the yard and by the ounce for building kayaks.

    It's located in the basement of T. Wally Williams, and he lives
    in Belmont Mass.  The phone number is (617)484-1877.

    Try to get a hold of T. Wally himself.  He works as
    a materials engineer at his day job, so he's familiar with
    a wide range of epoxies and where to get them.

    -Jeff Bell
1735.3RTL::COWANKen, CLTMon Sep 10 1990 11:488
  I've used this stuff called "Ceramic Fiber Blanket" for building a 
pottery kiln.  It cements with Sodium Silicate, which also gives it a 
hard surface.  It comes in 25' x 2' rolls for about $65/roll [mail-order.]
Sodium Silicate is about $9/gallon.  If you think it'll work, send me
mail and I'll send you all the info on where to find it.

   KC