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Old 10-11-2006 | 01:21 PM
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tggilkey
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From: Mendota Hts., MN
Default RE: vaccuum bagged pattern wings?

I have been vacuum bagging my pattern wings for about 15 years. I use the vacuum pump and other items from AeroSpace Composites. I started out with the EZ-VAC Bagging Kit and as the pattern wings got bigger in the root chord had to purchase some of the 2 mil nylon bagging material instead of using the 18" wide bagging tube. West Systems 105 resin with the 205 Fast Hardener is thinned about 50% with denatured alcohol and brushed on. I checked out Ola Fremming's site and the only differences that I saw between our methods was the brushing on of the epoxy and what goes inside the bag. I bag the whole sandwich -- bottom offcut, balsa sheet, foam core, balsa sheet, top offcut. I am amazed at how little epoxy is needed -- the wood feels/looks just damp. Each layup gets a test for proof of good adhesion -- the strip that gets cut out for the aileron hinge line is pulled apart and invariably the foam splits down the middle and stays stuck to the balsa sheeting. It's a bit more trouble but the result is very good -- I don't remember the numbers anymore, but the panels will come out lighter from using less glue. It was a good investment and is a good technique.

Tom