Off the Reservation

[Blue_Heron]

It's been a couple months since I posted an update. I've been working on the Hewes when I can, but there have been other projects and distractions. Here are a few progress pics:

Stringer cores in place



Glass in place for the port stringers



Vacuum bagged ready for resin infusion



Infusion in progress



Port stringers done, starboard in progress





I've got the starboard stringers bagged and ready for infusion tomorrow.

Dave

[DonV]

Very sweet Dave!!!!

[db3155]

what took place to get the title turned over to you?

[Blue_Heron]

Originally Posted by db3155

what took place to get the title turned over to you?

PM sent.

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by DonV

Very sweet Dave!!!!

As always.

[McGillicuddy]

Dang Dave,
now you got me drinking the Hewes Kool-Aid... Love me dem lapstrakes looks...
Uh, I know she's probably old enough, but i think she's drinking your beer
Looks great!

[Blue_Heron]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. Gilly, yeah, the lines on the Lappys are classic.

A few more pics:

Starboard side bagged



Infused



And stripped



This little exercise has taught me a few things about resin infusion. First and foremost, epoxy resin is not ideal for the process, the viscosity is too high. But I was able to make it work. If I vacuum bag another epoxy layup, it probably won't be infused.

Dave

[FLexpat]

Originally Posted by Blue_Heron

First and foremost, epoxy resin is not ideal for the process, the viscosity is too high. But I was able to make it work. If I vacuum bag another epoxy layup, it probably won't be infused.

Dave

Try Raka 127; its really low in viscosity - flows about like water under vacuum

[flyingfrizzle]

I use the AOC resins, I got a drum of VE infusion resin just to get the lower viscosity. They actually make resins for many other companys just relabeled with a different name on it.

This is what I bought, a 55 gallon drum of infusion resin:

http://www.aoc-resins.com/web/site/p.../500/C145/C18/

http://www.aoc-resins.com/images/upl...Marine2013.pdf

It works great for just about anything. All I use is thin Viscosity resins. I really like the AOC Hydropel high performance Vinyl ester. They make tons of different types and can custom batch if you buy enough. Even when I use epoxy, I use the US composites "635 Thin resin". It is just so much easier wetting out cloth with thin resin. I can cut my lay up time down quite a bit with the thinner resins which makes it easier to lay up larger areas with extra time before it starts to kick off. It is just better to work with for me anyhow. I can even hand lay with it and like it better than most standard thicker viscosity resins designed for that. Only exception is when hand laying vertical and overhead applications. Even then long as you pre heat the area and warm the resin it will kick before it starts to run off of the cloth.

It was a good product, I wish I had more Dave, I would send you some just to try so you could see how you like it. I only have 2 gallons left out of the 55, so I cant right now but if I get another drum I will send you some to try.

[Blue_Heron]

Originally Posted by flyingfrizzle

I use the US composites "635 Thin resin". It is just so much easier wetting out cloth with thin resin.

Flyingfrizzle,
I'm using the US Composites 635 resin with the medium hardener. I think temperature is much of the problem. My shop has been in the high 60s to low 70s and the epoxy wets out and flows much better at 80°+. The Vinylester you're talking about should have a viscosity about 1/3 of what the 635 epoxy has. I really need to get some and experiment with it.

Originally Posted by FLexpat

Try Raka 127; its really low in viscosity - flows about like water under vacuum

Flexpat,
I've used the Raka 127 as well. Its viscosity is very similar to the US Composites 635. Combined with the 350 non-blushing hardener, it's the cat's pajamas for UV resistance. I was impressed with Raka's results here:

http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/Epoxtest.htm

Both the Raka 127 and the USC 635 are good. They both wet out the glass nicely when the temperature is right. At cooler temps, though, wet out can be a little sluggish. Part of my process has been to use a heat gun to encourage flow in the infusion when it slows down. The heat doesn't seem to accelerate the "kick" as quickly as it does with polyester resin, but it greatly improves flow.

On my first try at infusion, I warmed the resin before mixing to reduce viscosity. But once it hit the cooler reinforcements, the flow slowed, and I had a batch kick in the bucket. I think we call that an "exotherm event". I didn't want any more "events" so I just accepted the fact that it would be slow going.

The resulting laminate is very tight with a high glass to resin ratio. I just don't know if the lighter weight is worth the extra time and cost of the infusion process. I'll probably play with it a little more once the weather warms up.

Dave