I started making prepreg like that about 8months ago. Each month I open the freezer, cut a small piece off, bag it to see if I have any problems and so far so good. One thing mentioned in the video that makes a big difference is to spread the resin across the fabric before it has time to saturate into the fibers, this helps keep the weave straight.
Also his oven pictured below, are what I used to design mine and they work great with heat gun power. Everything can be picked up from Mcmaster and your local hardware store.
interesting. he is knocking commercial aerospace certified prepreg, saying it sucks??? I’d like to see him certify this homemade method against Cytec or Ten-Cate!!! Bet since the epoxy is wet, when you thaw it to use it, it is messy as hell.
Eh, whatever, damn nice looking plane though!!!
that plane does look very impressive. Im interested in how the props are made. the two halfs are obvious! but how are they joined so that they do not delaminate in use? I cant even see any joggles or mating faces in the pics of that plane in manufacture???
This is the pic that im looking at
http://www.woodward-aerospace.com/image-files/prop-blades-showinng-bearing-housing.jpg
http://www.woodward-aerospace.com/image-files/4-blade-prop-blade.jpg
Someone with plenty of experience with aircraft manufacture on here must no the answer. Delamination must be a big problem on the join on propellors I would think.
Where is he saying that commercial aerospace grade certified prepreg sucks??
BTW, when I tried this method the frozen prepreg is very unmessy, very similar to the commercial prepreg I have.
The guy’s credentials are most impressive, and I appreciate his willingness to share…
The EAA has a corse for individuals who are building their own planes and they teach them to make prepreg like this. [ame=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHzYECpPvH0”]YouTube - Composite MiniVideo - Homemade Prepreg[/ame]
Just my 2cents… personally if i have to spend time making prepreg instead of laying up … in the end purchased prepreg makes more $.
The first layer needing to be more wet… i would just brush epoxy onto the mold surface then lay down the laminates. Maybe he likes the resin he uses better so to make it himself is worth it to him?. maybe.
I’m not in his league though… not using prepreg or ovens yet.
That oven is interesting. Is he using heat guns in it?
^ Not sure if he is using heat guns but that’s what I use, I just don’t have them pointed at the bag.
Hey Rotorage…no heat guns are used in this oven…it’s a 14foot collapsable oven which is really nice for laying up big parts and bringing the oven to the part…and not the other way around. The oven was designed and fabricated by David Algie of Algie Composite Aircraft…he also built his own autoclave if your curious.
All of the LP1 aircraft parts (or all carbon parts) are cured to at least 250degrees so they need some serious heat for a big oven like this. 6500watts total in this one and heat guns are maybe 1500?
Woodward Aero… i have read that name online somewhere before.
Do you have a website?
Fine, I won’t agree with that video, saying that DIY prepreg is better…
but…
Holy carp…I freaking WANT A CARBON FIBER PLANE!!! Just because…it’s…wow.
hey riff,
Not sure that the we said this is the better than everything else. For us it is better. Different strokes for different folks. Hard to argue with the end-result though. We’ll be testing the plane this year so we’ll see.
haha, thats funny, look at the first post
^^ don’t make fun of old age Hojo. lol:D
no worries, just got a kick out of it:D
If you don’t mind, what resin, and is that melamine board you are making molds from? It can take the heat no problem? Thanks. Sorry, noticed it’s an old thread.