skinless mini-cell

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Thu May 10, 2007 4:44 am

Who sells big chunks (2'x4'x3") of mini-cell w/o the skin? I've got to work on a NEW BOAT

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/wh20crazy/a ... 3631689/17

NateOC · Post by **NateOC** » Thu May 10, 2007 12:03 pm

I don't know where to get it without the skin, but you can buy it with the skin in those dimensions from Davey and Jennifer Hearn at Sweet Composites. I bought a full bun from them earlier this year for outfitting my C-1. I think the dimensions you are describing are a "half bun" as a full bun is "4'X4'X3".

Unfortunately removing the skin was the most tedious part of working with that minicell. It's a pain in the neck to try to remove it enough to prepare it for gluing.

Nate

Post by **sbroam** » Thu May 10, 2007 12:23 pm

Remove it for gluing? Never bothered to do more than rough it up a little and never had a problem - I've got several pedestals built from scratch that have been in service for years with skin-on minicell glued together. Now for where it will be in contact with *me*, I do take it off. Usually in the process of shaping it (rasp, sureform, etc) or cutting it.

BTW, sweet looking boat!

mshelton · Post by **mshelton** » Thu May 10, 2007 12:32 pm

App River company sells it in 2'x20"x3" without the skin.

I left them with 2 pieces at the Midlothian store, give them a call and they can have more brought down from the Farmville shop.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Thu May 10, 2007 1:56 pm

Nate, I have bought it from Davey & Jennifer many times. I just don't want to have to deal w/ the skin

SBroam, thanks! I just got the photo last night. Can't wait to actually get the boat

mshelton, that's close enough. If I can get up early enough, I may ride to Richmond before work tomorrow. Or, I could wait till next weekend & combine it w/ paddling the James

RodeoClown · Post by **RodeoClown** » Thu May 10, 2007 1:59 pm

I'm pretty sure kayakoutfitting.com sells it without the skins (since you can buy the skins separately.) and stocks that dimension: http://kayakoutfitting.com/details.php?pageID=2.1

If found that an orbital sander with a 60 grit disc works pretty well to get the skin off (or if you're lazy like me, enough of the skin to glue it)

Jeremy

mshelton · Post by **mshelton** » Thu May 10, 2007 2:19 pm

Postpone that Richmond trip one more weekend and I'll meet you up here, we're headed to the Big Sandy / Cheat next weekend.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Thu May 10, 2007 2:34 pm

mshelton wrote:Postpone that Richmond trip one more weekend

It'll be the weekend of the 19th. I'm on call this weekend & can't leave town

Post by **PAC** » Thu May 10, 2007 2:44 pm

kayakoutfitting.com sells skinless - I just rec'd an order of a couple sheets for the Atom / Fink outfitting. Which are in progress.
I also use a sander - belt with med grit to rough it up. Takes only a few seconds and you get a good bond - just make sure you have a bag on the sander or you have to explain the grey dust to the family!
Oh by the way that is a strange looking hat that fella in the photo has on!!!

It might not be flaked but its still pretty cool looking!
Paul C.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Thu May 10, 2007 2:53 pm

PAC wrote:that is a strange looking hat that fella in the photo has on!!! It might not be flaked but its still pretty cool looking!

It is a mighty strange looking hat. I think those Northern winters effect folks

Next thing you know they'll be climbing ice

If you save the photo & blow it up you will find some flake

I think my boat's so bright, I may have to wear shades

Post by **PAC** » Thu May 10, 2007 3:03 pm

I'll be darned - those boys are making you happy! Just a little silver flake - hand tossed, eh! Very nice accent!
It is very cool looking!
Paul C.

creek1r · Post by **creek1r** » Thu May 10, 2007 8:22 pm

I use a B&D electric planner (cheaper model). It skins quick and easy. Also flakes skin instead of sanding dust which makes cleanup easier.

Craig Smerda · Post by **Craig Smerda** » Thu May 10, 2007 9:30 pm

ditto on kayakoutfitting.com

ALSO!!! If you are sanding Minicell with a powersander... wear at least a dustmask or a respirator!!! That stuff is NOT good for your lungs.

Craig

bearboater · Post by **bearboater** » Thu May 10, 2007 11:43 pm

so now this black minicell, I am accustomed to the grey minicell, is there any difference, some of this feels softer, but does it have the same resiliency? the stuff in the photo on the kayakoutfitting page is the stuff our local shop just got in, does this stuff last as well as the grey stufff?
thanks
-isaac

NateOC · Post by **NateOC** » Fri May 11, 2007 12:01 am

Isaac, regarding your question, apparently there is "L-200" and "M-200" minicell. Apparently they have the same density, but the L200 is softer than the M-200. On the Sweet Composites website it says the L is what is usually used for saddles, kneepads, walls, etc. in composite boats, but the M is slightly stiffer, and used more in roto-molded kayaks. Perhaps the stuff you refer to as being "softer" is the L, and you were accustomed to the M?

Just a speculation,

Nate

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skinless mini-cell

skinless mini-cell

Making it skinless