I am about to embark on some prototyping. I have to use carbon fiber composite as the material. I have the panels I need, but need to learn the messy oogey basics of laying up sheets layered with epoxy for some of the gussets and angled bits.
Any good suppliers of sheet and tape?
What epoxy is best for this application? Where should I get it? I need a set time of more than 30 minutes.
Can I fudge the vacu-setting with a Shop-Vac and very thick contractor bag, or must I invest in a vacuum pump and the bags and whatnots?
Tricks? Traps? Fumes? Mess? Muss? Fuss? I seek the straight dope…
For serious work consult the manufacturers for authentic information. Someone may be by bye and bye who has had some experience and can make suggestions.
BTW a friend gave me a quantity of carbon nano tubes with the caveat not to spill them and try to pick them up with a vacuum cleaner. My wife promptly ‘suggested’ that I remove them from ‘her’ house immediately!
I work in fiberglass rather than carbon, but my advice is to find a distributor. There are ones that specialize in small quantities–selling to surfboard, skateboard, or snowboard makers, for example. They should be able to hook you up.
Now if you ever need fiberglass, I know just who to ask.
