Working with composites. (where to start)

Decked Canoes, Open Canoes, as long as they're canoes!

Moderators: kenneth, sbroam, TheKrikkitWars, Mike W., Sir Adam, KNeal, PAC, adamin

Post Reply
xmas0c1c1k1
CBoats Addict
Posts: 413
Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:40 pm
Location: Atlanta

Working with composites. (where to start)

Post by xmas0c1c1k1 »

So I am an idiot when it comes to glass and other composite materials, but I would really like to learn more about it. Any recommended reading on the web or books. Hopefully I will find my way to pick someones brain at some point, but where is a good place to start? I want to learn how to repair first then hopefully go into more extensive projects.
Thanks
Drew
User avatar
PAC
CBoats.net Staff
Posts: 3313
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2002 1:07 am
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Post by PAC »

Boat Builder's Manual: Building fiberglass and Canoes and Kayaks for Whitewate by Charles Walbridge (Author)
from the 70s and hard to fine but has what you need to start to understand the processes.
Paul C.
Cboats Moderator
Official TOG Member (Team Old Guy)!
Sir Adam
CBoats.net Staff
Posts: 4136
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2002 12:00 am
Location: Adirondacks, NY State, USA
Contact:

Post by Sir Adam »

If you're talking boats, the Walbridge tome PAC mentioned is still the best place to start.

If you're talking composite work in general, Gougeon Brothers (West Systems) put together several very helpful booklets.

http://sweetcomposites.com/WEST.html (bottom of page)

You can try ordering both from Sweet Composites, which is also a great place to purchase materials (and one of CBoats.net's long time supporters:) )
Last edited by Sir Adam on Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Keep the C!
Adam
User avatar
Mike W.
CBoats.net Staff
Posts: 2206
Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2003 10:52 pm
Location: Roanoke Rapids, NC
Contact:

Post by Mike W. »

What they said. Also subscribe (for free) to Epoxy Works. I don't know if they have a publication schedule, they seem to come randomly. You can see current & back issues on the web. http://www.epoxyworks.com/
Bob P
CBoats Addict
Posts: 770
Joined: Thu Jan 16, 2003 10:04 pm
Location: Connecticut

Post by Bob P »

Fiberglast Developments also has a good free "Learning Center" and lots of videos and books.
Bob P
Post Reply