Finally biting the CF bullet, what am I missing?

General Composites Discussions Equipment Talk
#1

Hey guys, I’m about to buy my first ever FG/CF supplies.

I’ve found a local supplier and have made a list of what I think I’ll need to get started, both in terms of FG mould & CF part making.

Could I please trouble you guys to take a look over my list and let me know if there’s anything else you think would be essential for a start up and or anything I probably don’t need that I have included in my list.

Supplies List
[ul]
[li]105 West System Epoxy Resin 1 ltr
[/li][li]206 Slow Hardener 800 ml
[/li][li]PVA Release - 1kg (blue)
[/li][li]Demoulding Wax 400gm
[/li][li]Respirator Kit A1B1E1K1-P2 - Ammonia
[/li][li]Safety Goggles
[/li][li]Acetone 5 ltr
[/li][li]Isopropyl Alcohol 99%
[/li][li]Catalyst for Tooling Gelcoat 500ml
[/li][li]Tooling Gelcoat 1 kg
[/li][li]Catalyst - 100ml MEKP
[/li][li]Polyester Resin for Fibreglass Laminating 1kg
[/li][li]Plasticene Light Beige Modelling Clay 4kg
[/li][li]Mixing Sticks
[/li][li]Paint Brushes
[/li][li]Carbon Fibre fabric 2x2 twill 198gms
[/li][li]Fibreglass Cloth 130gm
[/li][li]Fiberglass Roller 12mmx70mm
[/li][/ul]

Brand/product selection is limited, but this is what I have to work with.

With the above supplies, I hope to produce some simple wet layup CF parts which, when sold, will enable me to acquire enough funds to move forward to an infusion setup.

Thanks in advance :blink1:

#2

You can get better/cheaper epoxies than West System. Look around a bit to see what you can find.
Also a semi perm will save you time and hassle for production.

#3

Can you give eg of better cheaper than west system please? I thought west was one of the best but you certainly seem to pay for it.

Also what is semi perm?

#4

SP resins are less expensive than West Systems. Sicomin resins can about the same price as well.

Semi perm is a release agent that gives several part releases after it has been applied (properly). Frekote is one manufacturer of a semi perm.

#5

Sicomin has semi perms as well, and my dad has some Ferrokote in stock, which can run relatively cheaply. (ground shipping only, hazmat)

#6

West Systems is by no means “one of the best”. It’s ok, and for what it costs, it’s bottom of the price/performance ratio list. They’re kinda like the “Bose” I guess. Everybody thinks they’re good, but in reality, it’s mediocre and expensive.

SP and Sicomin, like mentioned. Also, Alchemie make some good stuff.

#7

Thanks for the feedback guys :wink: Thanks to which I’ve managed to find a supplier of Frekote about 10 minutes drive from my place instead of 40minutes on the other side of town :wink: