Ok, So I am just starting out, but I have accumulated a few things along the way towards getting started in composites. I have some books which outline tools for mold building and plug building etc, but what I would like to do is figure out what are the most essential and versatile tools every composite shop should have. I am talking mostly about the small hand tools, not big things like autoclaves. Try and be as specific as possible especially with brand and type recommendations, as I would like to compile a purchase list an buy as uch stuff on one bulk order. Thanks in advance.
Rob
What techniques will you be using? Vacuum bagging, wet lay up, etc. Wet layup will probably require the least to get started.
I will primarily be doing vacuum bagging, but will use wet lay-up for learning. I have most of my vacuum set-up already.
I dont think there are any special tools that are needed. We use air powered rotary tools for grinding and cutting. We build plugs from wood so table saw, jig saw, etc. Other than that, simple stuff like brushes, rollers, spreaders, wedges, cups, mixing sticks, etc.
Well I think what I am getting at is that there are a large assortment of sizes and styles of rollers, wedges etc. If you were looking to build an all purpose starter kit, what would you include?
Stuff like rollers and wedges should be highly disposable. Unless you meticulous about cleaning them out, it would be easier to buy cheap ones and toss them when finished. Rollers I’m talking about are serrated rollers to help roll out air bubbles, these are not very cheap, they come in a variety of sizes, it just depends on the size of the part you will make. If the part has large flat sections then get a wide roller, if it has a lot of curvature then get smaller ones.
You can make cheap rollers of washers. Just stack two sizes alternately and put zip ties at the ends to hold them together.
Sometimes I like to marry my leak detector…
Also useful is a “Vacview 10” from Tygavac. This will show you the amount of leakage in a bag. very simple thing, but very useful.
When doing prepreg materials, are you still using the rollers or is most of the work being done by hand?
I’ve found that I MUCH prefer bristle style rollers over the aluminum “stacked washer” (lack of a better term) style. The bristles seem to provide a path for air to follow to get it out of the laminate, almost like poking it with a thousand tiny needles all at once. They also “bend” a bit, making something as small as a 3" wide roller able to conform to a very obtuse curve where an aluminum roller would put all the pressure on the ends and sometimes create dry spots.
Get yourself a MEKP squeeze dispenser. It’s indispensable!
If you’re doing a lot of glassing keep your tools in a 5 gallon bucket with acetone in the bottom to cover the tools. It saves a whole lot of time over cleaning things every time you glass, not to mention it actually saves acetone. Change the acetone once it gets murky or it will gel on you and ruin your tools.
Get plastic wedges, not wood. Wood will leave behind a smear on your mold that you’ll have to clean.
Buy cheap 4" brushes for applying resin.
Good luck.
I’m new to the composite world as well but have been working at fever pitch to establish knowledge and my production tooling. There is NO WAY possible I could go forward without:
-air compressor 5.8 CFM @ 80 PSI Continuous (the dump gun and the hvlp are happy)
-skill saw and associated blades
-jig saw
-straight edges of varying lengths, squares, angle finders, etc.
-standard issue shop accoutrement (assorted tools of domestic nature)
-mixing cups, stir sticks, respirator, MEKP, Acetone, Mineral Spirits, shop towels, Sandpaper 80 - 1200 grit, brushes
-dewalt industrial buffer, 3M rubbing and finishing compounds
-BONDO!!
-buckets
-whatever fabrics, resins, gels, primers, and hardwares associated with your interest
-Stereo for the jams
-Ibuprofen for the pains
-Beer for quittin time
I also still need to order my entire vac set up but these other items have taken me all the way to the point of getting my molds produced. Now the real fun starts 