Working with fibre-glass/carbon fibre

I want to learn how to make some composite pieces/parts for the MR2

What are your suggestions for books I should get that can teach me how to go about it and get started?

Honestly your best bet is to see if you can shadow a bodyshop friend of yours for a lil bit. Books will give you the idea, but until you see the techniques in action, it's harder to relate to.

You might check out the knowledge section of fiberglast.com. The planning/molding part and prep is tougher than playing with the materials. I'll see if I can dig up a book or two I've got laying around - they're named something clever like working with composites.... In a pinch, home depot has about everything you need to knock out a panel or flares.

Play with it a lot is how I learned. Leave lots of room as far as materials for screw ups.

Yeah, see I'm looking for books/manuals guys, I have ZERO experience with fibreglass (total newbie) and I don't know any bodyshop mechanics. I don't even know what the materials or chemicals I'd need so "just playing with it" won't really get me anywhere.

So, who knows about a book or 2 I could buy?

Wear long sleeves when sanding!

And a mask!

And something over your hair!

// other than that, just go play...

http://www.actechbooks.com/products/act431/

I helped build a whole formula ford body with techniques in Rutan's book.

Redhornet wrote: Yeah, see I'm looking for books/manuals guys, I have ZERO experience with fibreglass (total newbie) and I don't know any bodyshop mechanics. I don't even know what the materials or chemicals I'd need so "just playing with it" won't really get me anywhere. So, who knows about a book or 2 I could buy?

This one is decent.

http://www.amazon.com/Fiberglass-Composite-Materials-Forbes-Aird/dp/1557882398

As far as suppliers, we used US Composites

I liked this book: http://www.amazon.com/Competition-Car-Composites-Practical-Haynes/dp/1859606245/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1317066756&sr=8-2

I've worked with glass a few times now, but I can never get in my head what and where to buy.

1) What kind of foam do you use for making the form? 2) What kind of mat is best for parts, say on a motorcycle? 3) What kind of hardner is cheapest/best? 4) I've used neat little mixer than apply the right amount of "gunk" to the right amount of hardner...but what about without that mixer?

I dunno...give me the supplies and I can use them, but I have no idea what supplies to buy.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/cm/index.html

This is the 'where'.

You might check out the practice kits at Aircraft Spruce. No personal experience, but I'd like to give 'em a try.

The only book I have so far is the aforementioned Forbes Aird book. I think it had useful information in it, though I wasn't blown away by that or the presentation. A fine book, but I'm curious what else is out there.

EDIT: I haven't read the Aird book in a while, and I haven't made a darned thing yet, so it may be that it's got all the pertinent info in it. Just felt bad with the faint praise for the book when I haven't given it a shot.

This will come in handy. I need to make some flares.

PHeller wrote: I've worked with glass a few times now, but I can never get in my head what and where to buy. 1) What kind of foam do you use for making the form? 2) What kind of mat is best for parts, say on a motorcycle? 3) What kind of hardner is cheapest/best? 4) I've used neat little mixer than apply the right amount of "gunk" to the right amount of hardner...but what about without that mixer? I dunno...give me the supplies and I can use them, but I have no idea what supplies to buy.

1) Not sure but machinable wax is great for making single use molds

2) I prefer weave to mat.

3) I have used both US Composites and West System epoxy resins and hardeners. Both are good. I prefer West Systems.

4) If you get a resins and hardener together they should tell you the correct mixture (the US Composites ones are generally 3 to 1).

Awesome! Thanks guys for the suggestions!

You can buy a little kit at your local Auto Zone that has 3 square feet of fiberglass cloth, a can of resin and the necessary amount of hardener for $16.99. Not bad for practicing with.

I have this bookmarked for a reason.... http://www.theturboforums.com/PBcarbonfiber.php

93EXCivic wrote: 3) I have used both US Composites and West System epoxy resins and hardeners. Both are good. I prefer West Systems.

I've used West and Proset. I like Proset when I'm not in a hurry - loooooong pot life. It's a PITA to cure in the winter, though.

I keep wanting to try, I have this bookmarked...

www.racingcomposites.net

If you guys want an amazing fiberglass repair work read, start here: http://www.theriens.com/lotus/default.htm

YouTube has many many "Carbon Fiber How To's" to watch. They make me think I can build the whole racer out of CF.

This is a great site also. For some reason some pictures are currently down???, maybe they will be back up later....

http://www.carbonfiberdiy.com/