I’ve read where plastic drop cloth CAN be used in place of vacuum bag film. I’m just wondering how common this is. Is buying vacuum bag film a waste of money or is it so much better?
I reliably and regularly use 2 mil clear plastic sheeting from hardware store. It isn’t as tough as proper bagging, but if you’re careful it works fine.
For sure you can use regular poly film as bag for RT applications… Not ideal but, cheap and effective.
For vacuum bagging it is ok, but not for infusion!
Why is that?
It is not airtight. For infusion it has to be perfectly tight. Coex films are the best option.
ok, thanks.
i’ve used plastic for infusion. So long as the leak check passes…
Like anything though, you get what you pay for. If the part is not important, like a practice part, i’d use cheaper plastic film. Other wise i’d stick to bag materials.
Proper bagging film can be had for so damn cheap I wouldn’t bother risking the part I was making. Surely if it’s worth bagging over wet-laying then it’s worth an extra 5 bucks.