Friday, June 29, 2012

Glassing Done

I'm at the stage where you can work for days and nothing looks much different.  The glassing is done and sanded now so it's waterproof  (if it had doors).

The hatch is painted on the inside and the plastic hinge has been fastened to the hatch.  I'm making hatch struts from an old adjustable windsurf boom.  We'll see how that works soon.
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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 19, 2012 at 4:07 PM

    Hi Gary and Rose- Your teardrop is beautiful! I have been searching the web for info on epoxy/ glassing with a unique project. (tajmasmall.wordpress.com) I think I have found answers with yours! Good to know glassing over the ply will be waterproof and travel well. I have a rounded nose I am looking to do as well. I am curious- the rounded roof edges meeting walls- is that just careful cutting, sanding and glassing right over it? or did you make an additional rounded edge? Happy travels :) Kim

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  2. Gary.DierkingNovember 19, 2012 at 5:19 PM

    There is a 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" laminated beam at the join of the roof and sides. That left enough wood after rounding it to the largest possible radius. Hard work with an electric plane, long sanding board and a ply template to keep the radius constant.
    The epoxy/glass sheathing is probably the most waterproof of any coating which is why we cover boat bottoms with it.

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  3. UnknownMay 30, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    Hi Gary, Just come across your build and love it. I have a million questions I would like to ask you as I am just in the planning phases now. I really like the clean lines that the fibrglassing gives it. I have three questions for you.

    1. You say you rounded the sides with a plane but could it have been done with a router with a 1 1/2" radius bit?

    2. Would the fibreglass waterproofing be lighter than the aluminium exterior with all the bits and pieces?

    3. I can't see how you have hinged the hatch and kept it water proof. Any chance of some details and photos? It looks very clean without the external hurricane type hinge.

    All the best

    Laurie

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  4. Gary.DierkingJune 1, 2013 at 2:28 PM

    I've never seen a router bit that large that would fit into a handheld router. Sounds dangerous.
    Fiberglass might be slightly lighter but not by much. The labor involved though is much much more than aluminium.
    The hinge is a continuous PVC type that while totally waterproof was difficult to install. I had to do it twice.
    http://www.retwine.co.nz/products/P1104-1-pce-extruded-fused-continuous-hinge

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