Hello everyone - I’ve been lurking for a while and reading a LOT and I think I’m finally ready to buy my first batch of fabric and resins.
As a complete rookie, I’m going to start with fiberglass to get accustomed to the process. I’ll wet layup some flat panels, some tubes, and If I’m feeling ambitious, maybe even a mold or two to try vacuum bagging.
I’m just a hobbyist, and my end goal is to have fun, teach myself some new tricks and eventually build some parts out of carbon as well. Hopefully leading to a bicycle, but that’s again after learning the fundamentals - followed by much experimentation and building of plates, tubes, test joints etc…
I understand that the combination of glass fabrics and resins can behave differently than the carbon and epoxy resins I hope to graduate to. Are there any particular types of fiberglass and resins that I could use to more closely emulate carbon and epoxy? Likewise, anything I should absolutely steer clear of?
The idea being that my practice materials will still be cost effective but won’t give me a false sense of security. Is this even possible, or is it just a matter of “roll those sleeves up and get dirty”?
Any recommendations for suppliers and/or a beginners shopping list are always welcome too.
When I do finally order some carbon, I’m planning to buy discounted fabrics and/or scraps - is this advisable? Any issues I should be aware of when buying sale items? I’ll be using standard cloth, so out of date pre-preg won’t be an issue…
Same question for discount suppliers like US composites (or even cheap supplies at Home Depot). Knowing I’m eventually going to be building structural items, are their inexpensive resins and fabrics a good way to learn, or am I better off biting the bullet and learning with the real thing?
, and I can contribute to the cause.