I have a mold for a seat cowl for a motorcycle that I was going to use for wet layup envelope bagging. I am thinking of switching to infusion. The mold would need larger flanges. Is there any way I could extend the flanges or do I need to make a whole new mold. It took me three attempts to get this one right and I would rather not waste it. Also, my pump will only pull 25". Is this going to be a problem? I have used search (which apparently is not my friend) and can not find where to order MTI hose in the US. Thanks in advance.
I’d say you can add larger flanges, no problem. Maybe not extend the existing flanges, but add new flanges definitely.
The way I’d probably do it is to laminate some new flange strips on a piece of glass or perspex, maybe 5cm wide to make it easier to work with. These new strips of fibreglass would just be to create a plug of the flange. Cut these strips down, place them on top of your existing flange and seal the edge against the mould with filleting wax/plasticine (you don’t want resin getting onto your good mould surface). Once that’s all done, turn your mould over so you’re looking at the back of it. Go ahead and put down your gel coat and glass for the new larger flange. Done! (I hope that makes sense, I’ll draw a diagram if that helps…)
It will be lots easier if your existing flange is mostly flat, but if not I guess you can just sand down any really rough spots.
I know nothing about the infusion part…
I get it. Good idea! Thanks
If you will use the MTI hose, you won’t need to make any flanges.
Thank you!
Problem solved. Just a bit of fine tuning to do between the original mold and the new flange with some epoxy putty. Would the recommended infusion flow be from the middle out or from the large end to the small end lengthwise?