[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference oass::racers

Title:Racers and Racing
Notice:As long as it's not NASCAR or F1 or Drags...
Moderator:RHETT::BURDEN_D
Created:Tue Aug 08 1995
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:391
Total number of notes:4486

233.0. "fabrication questions" by NYTP05::JANKOWITZ (This brain intnt'nlly left blank) Thu Nov 15 1990 10:02

I was thinking about the possibility of making a new nose for my race 
car. Someone told me that there is some stuff you can use to make a 
buck. The buck is made to the shape of the nose, then you lay 
fiberglass on it to make a mold, then you use the mold to make the new 
part. I just forgot what I was supposed to use to make the buck. I 
think he said you could lay the material on in sheets, sand and cut it 
and lay more on if needed.

Anybody know what the material is?
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
233.1COMET::LUKENSThu Nov 15 1990 11:006
> Anybody know what the material is?


             Styrofoam ?

233.2I've done it, but I don't like it.LEDS::LEWICKEIfItsWorthDoingItsWorthDoingToExcessThu Nov 15 1990 11:4915
    	You can use almost anything that is easy to shape.  Styrofoam is
    not very good because the resin will dissolve it.  Starting off with
    window screen and lumber to get near the shape, then adding fiberglass
    and bondo is one way that I've seen done.  I hate fiberglass so i
    generally hook together cardboard and wire reinforcements and put the
    glass right on on the car.  It doesn't look the way a lot of people
    think it should, but it does work.  
    	You can also work right on the car and make something that is
    smooth and right, then take a female mold from that and make multiple
    copies of the part.  The advantage is that you leave the mold home so
    it never gets crashed.  
    	Good luck, the stuff is extremly unpleasant to work with,
    especially if you get into sanding.
    						John
    
233.3RELYON::BABINEAUThu Nov 15 1990 13:3115
    Foam is the material to use, however not styrofoam, the type to
    use is polyurethane, large cell polystyrene, or a type called 
    CLARK foam. Also the type of resin used may or may not attack
    the foam, epoxy resins usually will not attack the foam, but
    polyester resin may depending on the foam. Depending on the 
    complexity of the piece being made, you may also use instant
    urethane foam, similiar to the type available in aerosol cans
    used for insulation, but it is available as a two part system
    in 1/2 gallon quantities.
    As for the resins, epoxy resins are typically more expensive
    than polyesters, but are easier to work with and have a longer
    working time they are also easier to sand. If money is an object, 
    you might make the plug using foam and epoxy, and then make the
    mold and the parts using polyester.
    using epoxy
233.4great bookNYEM1::MILBERGI was a DCC - 3 jobs ago!Fri Nov 16 1990 19:4621
    There is a really good book on doing fiberglass that discusses all
    aspects of it's use on cars.  One of the Osprey Restoration Guide
    series:
    
    	How to Restore Fiberglass Bodywork
    	Miles Wilkins
    	Osprey Publishing Ltd.
    	distributed in USA by Motorbook International
    
    I have a copy (as should all Lotus owners). If you live in or want to
    come out to NJ, you can look at the sections (Moulds and Moulding) in
    mine.  Or send me mail and I'll copy the section when I get back from
    vacation and send them to you.
    
    BTW - you have to translate from English to American and most of the
    products referenced are not available here.
    
    	-Barry-