Okay, so I was going to tackle the project of trying to make a fiberglass box this weekend, and I ran accross this stuff:

http://www.fibreglast.com/showproduc...ory-15.html#19

Anyone have any experience with something like that? I figure if I could figure out how to make a decent sub box with it, I could use the leftovers for an enginer cover, battery covers, etc....

 

Nobody?

 

Guess not ?

 

I think Blue Batmobile might use that stuff for his CF overlays?

 

Wow, that would be an EXPENSIVE sub box.

 

Well, the fiberglass stuff isn't *MUCH* cheaper, and I'd have to (in theory) use more of it anyway. And, I figure if I have left over CF stuff, I could use it to try and make some other parts, like a new engine cover, batt box, etc...

 

What kind of box?

Generally you don't make the box totally out of Fiberglass EXCEPT for tight areas.

Plus Unlike fiberglass, you have to make sure the last layer (the top) is perfectly smooth and single piece, or else It'll look like crap. With Fiberglass it doesn't matter because it can be painted or covered once it's finished.

No one makes CF subbox for a reason. It cost too much and it's too hard to work with (to get a good finished look). You're just wasting money doing it.

 

Fiberglass is *MUCH* cheaper. From that link, I can get a yard of fiberglass for 1/4 of the price listed. For the $40+ per yard of carbon fiber, fiberglass is only $10+ per yard (or less) Would imagine the Resin to be alot more for CF as well, since it needs to be crystal clear to see the CF pattern (regular Resin is amber in color)

Also, you would need a mold of your engine cover, batt box cover, etc.. to make a CF copy. Good luck if you think you can get a good looking finished piece.

 

I am going to make negative molds for all the parts I plan make out of plaster of paris (makes finishing easier). I don't actually care about the looks, but like I said, at least I could do something cool with the CF leftovers

I was looking at this link as a basis for figuring out cost, and if I can get away with using 1 yard (my main priority it making a sub box the same shape as the piece of foam on the left of our spare tire), the cost is close to fiberglass, but grows pretty steep if I need 3 yrds. :P

http://www.fibreglast.com/showproduc...lines-119.html

Oh, and I'm probably going to build some mounting plates/enclosures for my Boston components... Don't really care about appearence for any of the audio stuff, since none of it will be visible.

 

If you dont care how it looks why would you use CF? Fiberglass is way cheaper. Your money bro....

 

cause it'd be lighter and stronger and would take me less time (since I wouldn't have to do as many layers). And, again, could try and make some other things out of it as well. I'll most likely use fiberglass tho, as a learning tool as much as anything. I can always keep my mold and redo it later (since I'd only need to buy weave at that point, not the whole startup kit).

 

Why don't you mix them?

Make the majority of the box out of fiberglass then use CF as last layer. This way you can test it, and if you messed up it's not a big loss.

As for your mold idea, Don't think it'll work great. The Plaster residue will be imbedded in the Resin when you cast it.

Anyway good luck and post pics when you finished