Composites/Vacuum Bagging
This week we did some experimenting with composites using fabrics and resin. I wanted to design a press fit boat hull to vacuum bag a composite form around. Instead I spent the weekend in Chicago without my computer so I didn't have much time to design this boat hull, instead I made a simple ladder/rib structure.
In an attemp to seal and strengthen the cardboard (to prevent the resin from soaking it completely, letting it collapse) I brushed some of Diane's MOD PODGE. A type of glue/finish/sealer for hobby projects.
I also used Diane's poor crushed composite Dells Lemonade cup as a drying rack.
After letting this dry for about 40 minutes I found that my cardboard structure was considerably more rigid than it had been without the MOD PODGE and went on to applying the resin and fabric. Didn't manage to get any pictures of this proccess seeing as my hands were covered in resin.
On to vacuum bagging! Ted and Dana helped me set up my bag, sealing it with some clear packaging tape and some tacky yellow putty where the hose to the compressor went into the bag.
Almost immediately after the compressor started the bag began to crush my structure inward. Unfortunately my MOD PODGE reinforcement wasn't enough. Even still it made for a pretty neat looking mistake!
The "finished" product:
