Making production GRP moulds, any info?
Discussion
Within the next couple of months I expect/hope to be in a position to start making moulds for the bodywork of the new car. I had hoped to get a GRP company to do this, but it maybe that I will need to do it myself, partly because of the cost and partly because of the desire not to wait til there is a gap in their schedule.
The buck is sorted BTW, it's making the actual moulds I am concerned about.
I have done some GRP work in my distant past, and I have looked at various youtube videos etc, but would like to get more info on the mould making process from the production, rather than the one-off point of view.
I have the Simon McBeath book on competition car composites, and it's really not much help at all
Anyone point me towards a good source of information?
The buck is sorted BTW, it's making the actual moulds I am concerned about.
I have done some GRP work in my distant past, and I have looked at various youtube videos etc, but would like to get more info on the mould making process from the production, rather than the one-off point of view.
I have the Simon McBeath book on competition car composites, and it's really not much help at all
Anyone point me towards a good source of information?
There are plenty of threads about this topic with lots of views regarding the best approach.
One tip: do not use wood close to the surface (or at all in a varible climate like the UK). It moves with the weather which will make cracks in your buck.
Try looking for a similar bodyshell to what you have in mind, you might find one that needs little modification.
Look up LaBala, DPcars and Whitney-Paine for some inspiration/ideas.
One tip: do not use wood close to the surface (or at all in a varible climate like the UK). It moves with the weather which will make cracks in your buck.
Try looking for a similar bodyshell to what you have in mind, you might find one that needs little modification.
Look up LaBala, DPcars and Whitney-Paine for some inspiration/ideas.
cymtriks said:
There are plenty of threads about this topic with lots of views regarding the best approach.
One tip: do not use wood close to the surface (or at all in a varible climate like the UK). It moves with the weather which will make cracks in your buck.
Try looking for a similar bodyshell to what you have in mind, you might find one that needs little modification.
Look up LaBala, DPcars and Whitney-Paine for some inspiration/ideas.
It's more the moulds I'm concerned about, but thanks anyway.One tip: do not use wood close to the surface (or at all in a varible climate like the UK). It moves with the weather which will make cracks in your buck.
Try looking for a similar bodyshell to what you have in mind, you might find one that needs little modification.
Look up LaBala, DPcars and Whitney-Paine for some inspiration/ideas.
Make sure the finish on your buck is as good as possible, saves you work in the long run and the mould will release easier.
Put lots of layers of release wax on.
You will have to make a split mould for something as complex as a car so plan where these will go. Getting one wrong might mean that the mould wont release and you'll have to bin the lot.
Use lots of layers of mat as the mould needs to be stable and use lots of bracing, bits of ply or suitable foam bonded to the mould is fine. This is necessary as the heat of the layup could twist your mould slightly giving you work later.
The flanges for your split mould would idealy have little locating lugs and bolt together, the bolt holes can be drilled before the mould is released.
Always consolidate the mat well, dry mat will make a poor mould.
Use good quality brushes and rollers as they shed hairs, you dont want a brush hair stuck in your gelcoat.
Put lots of layers of release wax on.
You will have to make a split mould for something as complex as a car so plan where these will go. Getting one wrong might mean that the mould wont release and you'll have to bin the lot.
Use lots of layers of mat as the mould needs to be stable and use lots of bracing, bits of ply or suitable foam bonded to the mould is fine. This is necessary as the heat of the layup could twist your mould slightly giving you work later.
The flanges for your split mould would idealy have little locating lugs and bolt together, the bolt holes can be drilled before the mould is released.
Always consolidate the mat well, dry mat will make a poor mould.
Use good quality brushes and rollers as they shed hairs, you dont want a brush hair stuck in your gelcoat.
Ah, by "sorted" I thought you ment that you had a plan to make the buck, I take it you mean it already exists.
Again LaBala and DPcars have this on their build diary sections. If the Meerkat site still exists there might be something there.
It might also be worth Googling production cars made this way, i.e. there might be pictures somewhere of a TVR body shell mold.
Again LaBala and DPcars have this on their build diary sections. If the Meerkat site still exists there might be something there.
It might also be worth Googling production cars made this way, i.e. there might be pictures somewhere of a TVR body shell mold.
The more info you give out the better advice people will be able to give you,whats the size+style of the car,are there doors or other openings,do you know where the splits will be in the mould ? do you know how to flange up a buck ? whats the buck made off ? whats the surface finnish ? will the mould be 1 part an spit mounted ? or more smaller moulds that would have backing flanges for floor standing
Not knocking you but in all honesty most people will struggle to make a decent set of panels let alone a set of production moulds from watching vids an reading all the books ever written and then going for it
Not knocking you but in all honesty most people will struggle to make a decent set of panels let alone a set of production moulds from watching vids an reading all the books ever written and then going for it
f1rob said:
Not knocking you but in all honesty most people will struggle to make a decent set of panels let alone a set of production moulds from watching vids an reading all the books ever written and then going for it
I'm not expecting to, didn't I make that clear, sorry. It's a question of having to, so if you can point me at any useful info, I'd be gratefulGassing Station | Kit Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff