Help me put a starter kit together.

General Composites Discussions Equipment Talk
#1

Well i’m starting to piece together a startup kit formyself. I don’t want to go with thebasic kit as such and then have to upgrade a lot of it later down the track andi dont want to get the best items out on the market.

Looking at putting my own kit together.
So far thinking

Pump 12CFM or above item
Resin catch pot
bleeder/breather
Vacuum bag connector
Vacuum leak flow indicator

Now do I need a degassing chamber?
vacuum regulator

Budget is about a total of $2000AU to start off with and I would like to be able to do things as large as bonnets I have got my own side company doing fibreglass body parts so do want to expand in the future into doing these parts in carbon.

#2

I recommend a degas chamber. Also, since I’m a noob, MTI hose is a must. I’ve struggled for the past 2 months on making the same part with no success. Received my MTI hose yesterday and pulled the part this morning. Perfect…I’m a believer in the MTI hose now

#3

See that is the info i was after, Thank you heaps.

I have not read a thing about MTI hose or just did not know what it was to look it up having a good read of it now and this is something i will like to get. try and make the process of building and learning as simple as possible.

degassing chamber are they used for carbon fibre items or more based for silicone/rubber based item?

:slight_smile: Thank you

#4

Another question, below is the rough kit i have put together not including material/resin

Vacuum pump
Resin Catch Pot
Vacuum Gauge (on catch pot)
Line Clamp X2
MTI Hose
¼ Turn valve
8mm ID Silicone Hose 10M
Sealant Tape
Silicone resin feed connector

Through Bag Connector

Now if i use MTI hose i would not need a through bag connector correct? because the vacuum is drawn via the tube itself? Also is there anything else i should look at that i might be missing? the reason i have gone silicon tube is just in case i want to do prepreg in the future. trying to buy everything to make it as versatile as possible

Regards rob

#5

Bump? Anyone

#6

As far as the capital tools of creating resin infused parts, you’re looking pretty good. The hoses should be connected with barbed fittings, so add a couple of those to your list. Through-bag connectors are not an absolute must, there are cheaper and in my opinion easier ways of plumbing your bag. I prefer to just route my plumbing into my part with the through-the-side method. A degassing chamber would be ideal too, as whitecel recommended. Buying a sheet metal vise-grip clamp will make your life a lot easier when you’re quickly trying to clamp and release a line.

#7

http://www.infusionkit.com/index2.html

#8

Thank you :slight_smile:

Will start buying parts for the kit today :slight_smile:

#9

1st Parts purchased :slight_smile: excited already

#10

Quick question.

Resin Catch pot and a Degassing chamber do i need both or do i just run a degassing chamber use that as a catch pot as well?

#11

I have a resin catch pot which I also used to degas with. I haven’t worked on any big project yet since I’m still learning, so I don’t need a large degassing chamber yet.

#14

Look on www.bestvaluevacs.com , the best priced degassing chambers. It’s a need to have a clear lid, otherwise you can’t see when your resin is rising to much and or it’s degased.

#15

Done, I ended up contacting them to get a Degassing chamber and a resin trap.

Awesome job done. should be doing carbon items with in the next month if all goes to plan

#16

Maybe this is too late, but if you use MTI-hose you don’t need the catch pot.

#17

Not to late, still waiting for order/invoice to come through with postage amounts.