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The information in the Barf thread is excellent and there is a lot of valuable insights into the different methods of producing f/glass pieces.
The big things about moulded versus using the lost foam method for making a tank is that with moulded, there is little if any outer skin finishing and it gives the opportunity to work inside the tank prior to joining the parts. The lost foam method would be quicker overall but there would be much more outer skin prep and ,of course, little access to the inside of the tank.
I think the lost foam would be best suited to a painted finish rather than the carbon fiber finish as layup of the c/f over a completed mail form would be fairly difficult. Still doable but hard to keep in place during setup.
In the Barf thread making a plug from the tank is an extra step that isn't really necessary if the tank itself is preped and used as such. In looking it all over for a custom tank, I think I would make a plug or buck out of rigid foam, cover with packing tape and make the moulds using that form as per his instructions.
The moulds would not be mirror smooth as they come off due to the edges on the tape creating little ridges but these should sand out easily and with some rubbing out with polishing compound should provide a smooth surface.
Despite the good results, I don't think I would start out with a carbon fiber project as that is really tough stuff to work with. It is tough to cut and hard to keep the warp and weave lined up in the layup process, especially on compound curves.
I'm thinking of having a go making a tank for my Tracker, kind of a tear drop or peanut shape with slab sides like those on some of the Mule trackers or the tracker built by Mert Lawmill. It will be easy enough to do using the lost foam method so I might try that first. Winter is long enough that I might have a try at the moulded type as well.
Interesting thread guys.
Cheers,
Spyug.
The big things about moulded versus using the lost foam method for making a tank is that with moulded, there is little if any outer skin finishing and it gives the opportunity to work inside the tank prior to joining the parts. The lost foam method would be quicker overall but there would be much more outer skin prep and ,of course, little access to the inside of the tank.
I think the lost foam would be best suited to a painted finish rather than the carbon fiber finish as layup of the c/f over a completed mail form would be fairly difficult. Still doable but hard to keep in place during setup.
In the Barf thread making a plug from the tank is an extra step that isn't really necessary if the tank itself is preped and used as such. In looking it all over for a custom tank, I think I would make a plug or buck out of rigid foam, cover with packing tape and make the moulds using that form as per his instructions.
The moulds would not be mirror smooth as they come off due to the edges on the tape creating little ridges but these should sand out easily and with some rubbing out with polishing compound should provide a smooth surface.
Despite the good results, I don't think I would start out with a carbon fiber project as that is really tough stuff to work with. It is tough to cut and hard to keep the warp and weave lined up in the layup process, especially on compound curves.
I'm thinking of having a go making a tank for my Tracker, kind of a tear drop or peanut shape with slab sides like those on some of the Mule trackers or the tracker built by Mert Lawmill. It will be easy enough to do using the lost foam method so I might try that first. Winter is long enough that I might have a try at the moulded type as well.
Interesting thread guys.
Cheers,
Spyug.
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