Vacuum bagged construction?
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: West Palm Beach,
FL
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vacuum bagged construction?
Does anyone know of any manufacturers that utilize vacuum bagging techniques in the production of the composite models? be them jet airframes, hotliners, or prop driven?
If so who are they, which model(s) and is it predominately a fiberglass layup with cf reinforcement panels or is there a full carbon air frame out there somewhere ( and yes I know cf impedes RF )
Thanks all!
If so who are they, which model(s) and is it predominately a fiberglass layup with cf reinforcement panels or is there a full carbon air frame out there somewhere ( and yes I know cf impedes RF )
Thanks all!
#4
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: West Palm Beach,
FL
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK cool info, one further question on the BVM stuff, I've seen the "How's it made" TV show that went through the BVM factory and that sure was cool, but what about their PNP line, pretty sure those are not made 'in-house' and PLEASE correct me if I am wrong I am not trying to propagate bad info....so are those vacuumed also?
Chuck C, the reason for asking is just general knowledge assembling to try and compare jets I have owned or seen in person for comparison. I am thinking of doing my own airframe just for fun...as you say a 'garage build' and I just am looking for points of reference. While I've laid up glass before it was never for a complete model and it was never bagged, so that would be a learning process for me
Anyone know about the Elite Shockwave or Havoc, Or the T1 or Pilot's composites, Sebarts stuff...that's Krill right making the composite Avanti's??
Chuck C, the reason for asking is just general knowledge assembling to try and compare jets I have owned or seen in person for comparison. I am thinking of doing my own airframe just for fun...as you say a 'garage build' and I just am looking for points of reference. While I've laid up glass before it was never for a complete model and it was never bagged, so that would be a learning process for me
Anyone know about the Elite Shockwave or Havoc, Or the T1 or Pilot's composites, Sebarts stuff...that's Krill right making the composite Avanti's??
Last edited by kohersh; 05-26-2018 at 10:49 AM.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Didderse, GERMANY
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi,
that´s easy. I use it right now: Starfighter
the layup is 2x50 g/m² , 3mm Honeycomb, 1x50 g inner layer. Carbon as you like. Sorry for metric scale
best regards
Andreas
that´s easy. I use it right now: Starfighter
the layup is 2x50 g/m² , 3mm Honeycomb, 1x50 g inner layer. Carbon as you like. Sorry for metric scale
best regards
Andreas
#8
My Feedback: (2)
When I started my scratch build project I had planned to vacuum bag all the molded parts. A friend who had a lot of molding experience said if I was diligent about removing excess resin I could do almost as good as vacuum bagging. I think I was successful. The fuselage is 83in long. I used one 2oz and one 10oz layer the full length and an additional 3oz layer from wing trailing edge to the nose. The left fuse half weighs 1lb 3.6oz and right half is 1lb 3.8oz. The left half is shown above. The finished airplane is 21.5lbs dry. I had estimated it would be 22lbs. I feel that vacuum bagging isn't worth the extra work for most home projects.
Link to more build details: F-94C PROJECT
Last edited by sidgates; 05-27-2018 at 07:34 AM.
#11
My Feedback: (24)
There are TONS of videos on the topic; easy learning. Most of the good ones come from the fiberglass supply distributors. I got one of the "Vacuum bagging secrets" DVD's from a guy that made competition glider wings and fuselages. Like a 4 DVD set. Phil Barnes maybe? Been a while. Good set and shows easy techniques for doing ultra-lightweight/epic strong wings and how to "paint in the mold" (without using a mold; using mylar).
Makes it a ton easier to sheet wings also.
Makes it a ton easier to sheet wings also.
Last edited by ChuckC; 05-29-2018 at 01:56 PM. Reason: My stoopid memory - "Phil Barnes", not "Paul Barnes". Getting old is hell
#12
My Feedback: (13)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Williamstown,
NJ
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I molded my F-100 and found it difficult to bag because the edges would pull away from the mold. I know it can be done but I struggled with it and after spending hours laying up a fuselage half I didn’t want to risk wrecking anymore trying it. My fuse is exactly 2lbs and can’t imagine I would be able to shave much much off a fuse this size.
#18
My Feedback: (13)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Williamstown,
NJ
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Same as the stab. 1.4oz, 1/16 balsa, and 1.4oz. The sandwich creates a very strong wing. If you were to press on the open areas of the completed wing it feels like a solid foam sheeted wing
#21
My Feedback: (13)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Williamstown,
NJ
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Feel free free to ask away!!! For the F-100 wings I just used traditional foam sheeted wings and an aluminum wing tube. Nothing fancy there unfortunately. I have thought about molding the wings at some point though.
Last edited by TUMBLER; 05-31-2018 at 04:19 AM.