Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 13:14:31 -0700
Reply-To: "J. Harvey" <jtharvey2@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "J. Harvey" <jtharvey2@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Lightening the load
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Fiberglass would be lighter than wood.*
Fiberglass would be more cost effective. The time required would be the same
as would the resin cost. Fiberglass fabric would be about 1/3 to 1/4 as
expensive with respect to carbon.
*You'll get the required strength by combining fiberglass with a core
material. For example, imagine a 3/8" thick sheet of balsa wood with 2
layers of fiberglass on each face. This panel would be much stronger than
just 4 layers of fiberglass or even 8 layers. The balsa wood adds a little
weight but it adds tons of structure. Honeycomb and foam are also possible
core materials.
From experience I'd say that this fiberglass cabinent project would only be
worth it if you could cut ~100 pounds. Plus, if it's your first attempt in
composite lay-up you can't expect sexy results. And don't forget about
fasteners which can be difficult when working with composite panels. -john
>From: Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
>Reply-To: Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Lightening the load
>Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 15:37:49 -0400
>
>So... carbon fiber is light, but too expensive.
>
> Would fiberglass cabinets be lighter than wood?
> Would they be cost effective?
>
>I was wondering about this when I had the kitchen cabinets out of my
>Westie... it was just idle speculation (I reinstalled the wood), but
>maybe
>someone on the list knows.
>
>Tim
>
>At 12:26 PM 7/12/2004 -0700, J. Harvey wrote:
>>In the past months I've spent hundreds of hours making one-off
>>carbon body
>>parts and molds. To replicate a Vanagon door while maintaining the
>>original
>>functionality would be so expensive you might feel sick. I suspect
>>doing
>>all for doors would cost at least $20k. The pop-top would be
>>cheaper but as
>>you mentioned the weight savings would be minimal. ~$4K
>>
>>The westy cabinents could be replicated at home by fabricating flat
>>carbon
>>panels and then using the original cabinents as templates (no molds
>>needed).
>> You'll be hard pressed to do it for less than $1000.
>>
>>Carbon driveshafts are pretty common and cost about $1000.
>>http://www.acpt.com/article3.html
>>
>>Great ideas but very costly. -john
>>
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