Hello from Australia

First Stop Introductions
#1

Hi folks

I am an engineering student double majoring in mechanical engineering and materials science/engineering (same thing really) and am looking to start doing some DIY as soon as I can (and funds allow!). Located in Brisbane for any other australians on here.

I was drawn to the composites space due to it being such a diverse field which can only grow over time with technological change. My first real awareness of it was from automotive applications being a car guy but its hard to name a major area that isn’t being impacted by composites.

Im looking at getting a starters kit at first and create some moulds to get a feel for the craft, and will probably get a vacuum pump later down the track when I get more serious about it.

See you all around :smiley:

-Sam

#2

another boy from the east coast! im from sydney and just starting out. I started with skinning and now moving into mould making.

What kinda stuff you looking to make?

#3

Hi cartoon, good to see a sydneysider here!

Actually not entirely sure what I’d like to make first, probably just a few smaller square pieces first just to get a feel for the whole process. My mate wants me to make him a front lip for his toyota 86 that he just got so that may be the first “functional” part that I make.

Where do you get all your equipment and materials? Ive looked at a few places but not sure on the best to get all my stuff

#4

I started with purchasing from play with carbon as they do small stuff at what I think is a good rate. I have moved from west systems to Kenetix for my overlays as the resin is thicker and I find it easier to work with.

Once I start getting more bulk fabrics I will look to purchase else where. I think QLD has a few suppliers over there. For resin try to buy local as the shipping on dangerous goods kills you.

For mould making use a VE resin, VE tooling gel coat and various weights of chopped strand and woven fiberglass. Get gloves, brushes, a couple of rollers and some clay/wax. I also watched lots of stuff from easycomposites on youtube. There is also a dedicated training facility in QLD (unfortunately nothing in sydney at all!!!)

To start with I used basalt, its woven like CF but half the price and was playing with that to get use to working with a woven material and getting everything straight and nice.

Hope that helps :slight_smile: I think play with carbon is based in QLD so you might be able to go visit them and get more info. Just talk to as many people as you can :slight_smile:

#5

Welcome,

Looks like the Australian Carbon scene is growing :slight_smile:

#6

Welcome Manifest!

I can ditto everything Cartoon said. You could even try using just woven fibreglass and epoxy resin, get some ~1mm sheet aluminium and make small simple shapes like flat sheet and slight curves to get a feel for it for using the materials. Use the same weave type as the carbon fibre material you intend to use (most common are “plain weave” {over 1 under 1} and “twill weave” {over 2 under 2})

PWC are based in northern NSW, however another supplier is Elite Composites based on the Gold Coast, Australia. They make heaps of stuff for the Aus motorsport scene and now also have a website selling materials to hobbyists such as yourself and can help with any technical questions you might have.

Definately great to see composites finally start to gather momentum in Australia!

#7

Hi,

I find a good range and good pricing of materials at Hobby & Engineering Supplies. Here’s a link to their website http://www.hobbyparts.com.au/store/categories/carbon+fibre+categories/