Hand Laminate & Vacuum Bag a Simple Carbon Fibre Part (inc. Vacuum Cleaner method!)

[@asdfjkl981]

Sir. You my respect for showing us how even the biggest hillbilly can do this in his barn. I salute you.

[@phillipwilkinson6436]

The addition of showing how to use simple household equipment as well as the 'professional' methods make it so much more accessible. I have just placed an order to start working on using cf to reinforce an aluminium structure!

[@easycompositestv]

Thank you Philip, that's good to hear. We are aware that most of our recent videos have been towards the more commercial end of methods and equipment and so we're making a conscious effort to 'check back in' on some of the most realistic, and still fantastically effective, basic techniques. The ones that got us into this business in the first place :)

[@mickcoomer9714]

Phillip Wilkinson. Sorry mate, you can’t use cf to strengthen aluminium. Cf can only bend about 1.8% before failing, far less than aluminium. You can use the Aluminum as shape the cf but you will need to make the cf layup strong enough to work without the aluminium. At this point the Aluminum can be ditched.

[@phillipwilkinson6436]

@@mickcoomer9714, the intention is to create a carbon fibre 'lug' to join two bonded aluminium tubes together. The idea is to get around trying to weld thinner aluminium. However I am very interested in your input before I start practicing!

[@ulbuilder]

Make sure you insulate the carbon fiber from the aluminum to prevent galvanic corrosion. A layer of fiberglass between the aluminum and carbon fiber is one method to achieve this.

[@AlisterRobbie]

thanks Phillip. I'm in the same boat. As a beginner, this video has helped encourage me to take the step towards vacuum work at a cost effective level. very cool.

[@lucasmoreno5330]

Guys, I must say your vids are some of the highest execution and quality for tutorials on KZbin.

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks Julian :)

[@withheld566]

Really appreciate the inclusion of the "el cheapo" options here, that made this video far more useful to me and Id of thought a lot of others. Good work

[@thesighbored]

Whenever you're feeling stressed, just gaze at the mesmerizing carbon fiber weave.

[@denisbassom172]

The more I watch your videos, the easier it looks! Getting very close to giving a starter kit a go! Thanks.

[@easycompositestv]

Haha, it must be time by now Denis; take the plunge.

[@millerchassis6119]

Give it a go Dennis I’m not very good at it But it’s like a challenge And I enjoy the excitement when you take it out of the mold (It’s usually got imperfections :( One day I’ll do a perfect carbon fibre job one day Came really close the other day

[@SAYYAM55]

These videos are always so well produced! Thank you for making them!

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks; we certainly put a lot of effort into both the content and the production. All credit to our new video guy Kyle who's edited all of these latest tutorials.

[@abj9121]

Yeah they make any video you want on craiglist too. ☺️

[@deanpodolsky]

Easy Composites Ltd Yeah Kyle rocks but just as important is the clarity of the presentation and information, both of which you nail every time. Keep it up!

[@elkhatirielmekki9655]

Ma Ma

[@saardean4481]

Such a pleasure to watch your tutorials. When someone likes what they are doing it never looks boring. You sir are an artist

[@chrisgenovese8188]

just started working with carbon fiber after being subbed to this channel for well over a year. your tutorials are among the best on this platform, so many thanks!

[@deborahduthie4519]

It doesn’t matter what the design or what object, I like watching all types of creativity. The application of methods of production and product applications, give new clues that I can apply to my craft. Everyone has words of wisdom or new products that were designed to remedy a problem, that I occasionally come to in my own craft. Carbon Kevlar Handbag with Sterling Silver fittings and strap. Sounds really nice to me using your model mould making process. Thank-you.

[@sorte18]

The teaching is so good! Even without any projects to use this knowledge, we still enjoy watching it. Here are a few suggestions / tips to make it even better: Add the costs to the video (text is fine); show the parts being used in real applications; after it's done, test the parts that are subject to stress to show weight reduction and performance.

[@doubleT84]

Costs will change and people will complain. The video is good as is and you can find the costs easily on their website.

[@rprata23]

Congratulations for the quality and the content of the video tutorials produced by Easy Composites. They sit far beyond the shallow product promotion videos found in the internet and show your commitment to provide proper education about the use of composite materials. In the same line of your "car bonnet" tutorial, I kindly suggest the preparation of a video showing aspects related to the selection of the most appropriate materials for each different purpose. As an example, you could take a bike frame or part of a simple car chassis, showing where, why and how to use materials like uni and multidirectional carbon fiber, Kevlar, hybrid materials and how to estimate the necessary number of layers, etc. I wish you success and please keep doing this excellent job.

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks Ronaldo. Certainly we'd like to do some videos going into more detail on material selected and in fact we're working on a new video series right now which calls for comparing different types of coatings and different types of reinforcement (Kevlar, Innegra, Carbon, Diolen) for a particular application. These videos should be coming out in about a month and then we'll also try to include more on this in the future too.

[@reginaldhuckstable9797]

Hopefully starting a new job soon with composites. Super nervous but these videos are bring back all my old knowledge I learned years ago

[@easycompositestv]

Great to hear Cali, good luck with the new job.

[@Snoop.Driftera]

Remember me, asking about colored fabrics? Here you showed exactly what i needed. A blue kevlar /carbon fabric. Exactly what i wanted!!! Now i'm pretty sure i'll order it from you in future.

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks for your comment, I'm glad the video was what you needed! Our decorative Carbon Fibre reinforcements can be located on our website here; www.easycomposites.co.uk/decorative-carbon-fibre

[@dr1311]

Very nice indeed. This answered my earlier question regarding not using the resin infused method. Great work guys. Will be in touch soon.

[@NorthForkFisherman]

There have been a lot of improvements in materials and the processes since I worked with these materials. Love seeing how easy it is now for even the beginner to get started with composite parts.

[@LiftoffLumberjack]

What made it so much more difficult in the past?

[@NorthForkFisherman]

@@LiftoffLumberjack Temperature sensitivity and stability of the materials. Longer shelf-life. Better tools. What was once an exotic material to work with has now become commonplace. And I just love that.

[@jonathanhernandez90]

I used this method a few years back to create our college’s high altitude balloon payload and it worked wonderfully.

[@easycompositestv]

Hi Jonathan, sounds like a good college project!

[@jonathanhernandez90]

Easy Composites Ltd Thank you, it was great experience. Now our college team is looking to be the first student lead team to engineer a liquid propelled rocket to 100 Km🚀

[@felixcat9318]

Your videos are beginning to make me feel like I could use carbon fibre or fibreglass and a pvc foam core and obtain good results with your vacuum pump for my modest project.

[@easycompositestv]

Give it a go! :)

[@rikunevalainen8154]

Thank you, I have laminated tons of cold-laminate but never tried any vacuum molding....this video was excellent how-to-do-it !

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks for the feedback Riku, glad you found it useful and keep an eye out for some of our other videos :)

[@nicholasmihail9270]

Love the step by step, in depth details in your videos, im in the US and will still purchase your products because of these videos, ill be making my first order in the next week or so, thank you!

[@easycompositestv]

Ni Nicholos, thank you very much for your support. We'll continue to make these tutorials and help share the knowledge. Your support helps us to do that :)

[@hondanickx]

Well i made my first carbon fiber parts with the vacuum storage bag and got great results with it.I also posted this on the talkcomposites website. Great to see the combination of vacuum cleaner and the storage bag gives the proper vacuum level for the wet lay up.

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks for the comment and the talkcomposites post; I think I did see that post :) - Paul must have done more than 100 tests trying to find the perfect vac level and bagging combination for wet-lay vacuum bag; we were trying to crack it completely and get perfect results. We never quite got there but it's really very close!

[@peterzingler6221]

The household vacuum bag technique is awesome

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks Peter :)

[@ASCENDANTGAMERSAGE]

So cool!!!!!!! Absolutely fantastic production and host as well!!!

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks, appreciated.

[@angus3963]

Thank you for the vacuum cleaner demo, this is great for first timers, myself included!

[@easycompositestv]

That's great Angus, we certainly want to help people starting out just as much as those pushing the boundaries. Good luck with it.

[@EddickC2D]

Great having you back with videos, truly educational content! Thumbs up if you want guys to create videos like "Top mistakes to avoid in composites making" or "Top X best practices for comosites making" You have already mentioned lots of things in your videos, but could be nice to gather all these dos/dont's in separate videos, cheers!

[@easycompositestv]

Great ideas. We do have some slightly similar videos in mind but I really do like the idea of both a top tips and a classic mistakes video. They're going on the list!

[@harrystear9037]

This is awesome! I will definitely be trying the vacuum cleaner method. I can't quite justify the expense of a professional vacuum pump and regulator yet.

[@easycompositestv]

Haha, that's fine by us Harry; that's what we wanted to show with this video. That's also why we used both methods so you can see that - although pretty low-lost - the vacuum cleaner method actually delivers results which are a match for the pro version (in this type of situation).

[@SimoWill75]

If you're only making relatively small parts, like in this video, a kitchen food saver works great and is cheap. Been using one for this purpose for years.

[@diyhell8712]

Love the use of the vacuum cleaner: great way to try out vacuum bagging.

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks, we'll try to do some more 'accessible' tips and tricks wherever we we can. We know most home and workshop composites is done with the minimum of special tools and equipment and we'll try to keep that in mind and help those who are starting out in composites too.

[@diyhell8712]

@@easycompositestv my dad was an expert in composites at British Aerospace, and famously advised McLaren when they built their first carbon tub for F1. Should have listened a bit more when I was younger but am leaning now!

[@petr878]

@@easycompositestv , great idea.

[@nabaddame5726]

How long do u have to leave the vacuum cleaner running? Just pull the air out of the bag and shut if off or does it need to stay on ?

[@brandonmendoza5233]

A lot of videos out there explaining cf but this ones are the best always, thanks :)

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks Brandon.

[@gsavogin]

Thanks so much for such a great video, demonstration and online short course!!!

[@ukilic86]

These tutorials are awesome. They should be shown at Technical Schools. I wish you guys had US branch.

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks for the comment and your support, a branch in the US is something we're certainly keen to do in the future.

[@gsavogin]

Best wishes from Argentina!!!

[@b.w.oostdam8875]

Thank you very much indeed for this video! The part with the vacuumcleaner and clothesbags is absolutely what I was looking for. Would have taken me a long long time to figure out one only needs 20%!! Thank you again!

[@easycompositestv]

You’re very welcome; look forward to hearing how you get on.

[@loganmarriott11]

Fantastic quality as always. Thanks for explaining what the perforated film is usually for and how you can simplify the stack slightly

[@easycompositestv]

You're welcome Logan, that's great if this information helped to make it clearer for you.

[@zanusbluesman]

I used to work for the manufacturer of your vacuum pump. It's a great company based in San Pietro in Casale (Italy) called DVP (Dry Vacuum Pumps).

[@easycompositestv]

Hi Andrea, yes, they're a great company to work with. It's good to hear you enjoyed your time working there.

[@yayweredoomed]

Such good tutorials. I don’t have any place to work right now, but when I do, will definitely be supporting easy composites...

[@easycompositestv]

Thank you, that's great to hear. Look forward to working with you.

[@C-M-E]

With your wealth of knowledge and great products, I'm surprised you guys haven't jumped on the silicone jacket method of vacuum bagging for production environments.

[@easycompositestv]

We know the process well enough (we used to make parts in production volumes ourselves) but but, to be honest, it's quite rare you'll see reusable moulded silicone vacuum bags used in production. The are a number of reasons - probably a bit dull to go into - but the end result is that they're only the answer in quite specific situations and certainly none of the situations we've covered so far.

[@C-M-E]

@@easycompositestv That's a fair and realistic answer. I'm looking at it for a complicated multi-step process that may eventually conclude with either a hydraulic press or sandcasting a mold for composites on a prototype level with aspirations of larger production. It might be the only way I'm able to copy some very tight geometry of components I have now that would cost an absolute fortune to have machined again in stainless or inconel.

[@hippocks146]

Just ordered some bits from you guys. Been toying with the idea of making carbon / kevlar fairings for my Daytona 675, for about 5 years now. Finally going to give it go. Starting with the rear hugger... Thought it might be a good place to get a feeling for it, making something small, instead of a complete side fairing. Wish me luck. I'll post some pics on your customer gallery.

[@truth7416]

Nicely done. Just want to say your production quality of your video and audio could not be better. Excellent lighting and a killer looking set. keep them coming. Perhaps a video on an aluminum mold using an expanding silicone insert. This gives perfect surface parts.

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks for the comments. Yes, we'd like to do something on pressure moulding with silicone in the future, it's on the 'to-do' list!

[@MrSilentSavage]

Best videos regarding composites...well done..keep them coming!

[@easycompositestv]

Thank you, we'll do our best.

[@daviddavis1322]

This is the best thing I have seen in a long time

[@easycompositestv]

Nice one David I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@dwaynemcallister7231]

This was very good information for me, thank you. I unfortunately found out that peel ply and max vacuum will leave it dry just before watching this. Doing a thin glass PVC core sandwich repair.

[@easycompositestv]

Hi Dwayne, mmm, yes, it sounds like you've found out the hard way. We've been there ourselves.

[@fabricebrun9287]

Really great video , it's cool to see it's possible to make it at home with simple methods

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks Fabrice, glad you liked it!

[@ashishbeniwal3660]

I always find your videos to be very informative and educative. So thanks and keep making good videos like this. :)

[@jonnyb2532]

Excellent! Very clear to this newbie. Also the low-budget vacuum storage bag tip was amazing!

[@easycompositestv]

Cheers Jonny, glad you liked it.

[@markussmith3135]

I'm just waiting on some room to get started iv got a hand full of projects I want to have a go at and seem possible after watching most of the videos you put up 👌

[@easycompositestv]

Hi Markus, thanks for the comment, that's great to hear. We look forward to hearing how you get on.

[@ChrisKsan]

I very much like "DIY" things and am considering starting my first composites project. I would like to get some trims for my car and I am currently weighing in costs and quality difference between just ordering readily available parts or using this as an opportunity to make my own. Thank you for your video and I very much appreciate showing how to use household items!

[@easycompositestv]

Our pleasure Chris. Generally speaking, for a one-off part, it’s almost always cheaper (and probably better) to but existing parts if someone is already making them. The is because a lot of the cost of making a part is in making the mould, and learning the skill in the first place. However, it’s quite often that you simply can’t get the part any other way, or want a modified version of it, or you want to learn the skills for yourself; in these cases, DIY is the way to go.

[@aldohz]

I'm starting in the composites world and this was very helpful. Liked and subscribed.

[@easycompositestv]

Great to hear, thanks :)

[@alexpausanos5941]

Thank you so much for refreshing my composite experience d

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks for watching, glad you found it useful.

[@sterlingglessing2024]

Very informative content. Cheers from Canada.

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks Sterling! Glad you enjoyed!

[@rohanpuri1989]

Thanks for your detailed videos. Please do a video on split mold infusion as well.

[@easycompositestv]

Hi Rohan, yes, that's definitely on the list.

[@rohanpuri1989]

Easy Composites Ltd been waiting for a long time

[@sergiocantoli5783]

Really appreciated all the videos you guys have done so far!

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks Sergio, it's great you're enjoying them :)

[@conradcasebolt2391]

This is an excellent video. Thanks.

[@YootubeUK]

Impressive! Even more impressive to get that finish with a wet lay-up and 'enry the Hoover with vaccum bags!

[@robertpaterson3646]

I've been looking forward to this video since you mentioned it! I've recently made a few parts for my motorbikes. I made some great fibreglass moulds but ended up with lots of voids as they weren't bagged. Ended up getting acceptable results by skinning the original parts and releasing them. I had been contemplating using a JML-type of duvet stuffing bag for a wee while now so looks like I've no excuse now...especially since I've got a square metre of your resin bound 2x2 cloth in my garage ;)

[@easycompositestv]

Good stuff Robert; yes, give it a go; although not 100% perfect this process is very reliable at getting you 95% of the way there and producing some very acceptable parts for most applications.

[@suprarune]

Another great video from you guys! its very nice of you to make these tutorials for us newbs and hobby guys.

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks, we're very happy to do it.

[@mkmanu001]

Wow, thanks for the vacuum storage bag i read. This will make my want to try doing composite at home

[@TomiLynch]

This video is exactly what I was waiting for! Have been watching your tutorials for a while and love them. The one thing I'm really curious about is how to make something with a two part mold using this technique. I'm specifically curious about the overlapping of the two halves with wet technique, since all previous videos seem to explain this with prepreg. A video on this topic would be very much appreciated!

[@easycompositestv]

Yes, a matched tool with a wet layup process can certainly be done, in fact, years ago (as Carbon Mods) one of our very first products was made in this way. It's not 100% reliable in terms of surface finish but if you persevere you can get great results. Maybe a video on this in the future.

[@TomiLynch]

@@easycompositestv Thanks for the quick answer. I'm planning on making a carbon fiber scooter prototype, and will probably work with a wet layout, so I'm curious to know what the best way to proceed would be, and how the use of inserts would turn out. I've payed very close attention to the bicycle frame tutorial, but that is using prepreg. Looking forward to that video!

[@softweapons]

really enjoying these videos :) thankyou

[@easycompositestv]

Thank you for your kind comment!

[@AussieBassplayer]

This channel is great, so much info

[@easycompositestv]

Glad you enjoyed Cameron!

[@GTRPROv2]

Great video! You guys are awesome and informative

[@BMSWEB]

Man I really wish you guys shipped to Australia

[@easycompositestv]

Yes, I'm really sorry that Australia is so difficult for us to reach, well, for dangerous goods at least. Maybe one day we'll have a better way to support customers over in Australia; we do have some great customers and friends of the company over there but the shipping side of things is pretty challenging.

[@BMSWEB]

@@easycompositestv well for what it's worth I share your videos with our UK friends all the time. Would love to spend our money with you guys as specially because of the amazing content you make. By far the best videos on Composite layups 👍

[@ErtsenPlayGames]

even if i know how to make parts like this i like to watch how u do it because it look awesome every time :D

[@easycompositestv]

Thank you Sebastian.

[@thrownchance]

9:10 what is the reason for only using 0.2bar absolute? You say to prevent the CF from drying out, but what would it do to the part? I thought that you want as little as possible of resin to achieve a lower weight for the basically the same strength.

[@easycompositestv]

Wet lay vacuum bagging only needs about 20% vacuum. Higher squeezes out too much resin leaving the part dry and pinholed. The lower the vacuum than 20% and the benefits drop off. 20% is about the typical sweet spot for basic vacuum bagging - you can vary it slightly based on the finish you get.

[@payton6213]

I work with fiberglass and the processes are quite similar but carbon fiber seems to be much more precise and delicate. It's an interesting process. I'd love to learn more about the resins you use

[@themadscotsman2159]

How come my gloved hands always stick to the cloth but yours don't? I Always have issues with sticking to the weave and pulling stray tows at the edges and spoiling the finish, as well as sticking to everything else, the tools and what have you. Great videos by the way, very informative and easy to understand.

[@easycompositestv]

We use nitrile gloves so maybe its something to do with your gloves specifically?

[@themadscotsman2159]

@@easycompositestv Thanks, I'll try them instead of latex ones.

[@deanpodolsky]

Amazing video and quality of product! Please keep on making these accessible products and tutorials. I realize this particular part is just a protective cover but where’s the line between using this process for a piece with a structural component?

[@easycompositestv]

Hi Dean, well, really there isn't a line. A component made using a wet-lay process but still using carbon fibre and epoxy resin will be 80% as good as one made using resin infusion or prepreg and so technically you could make the same components using a wet-lay and vac bag method if you made them 20% thicker/heavier. However, you will find that certain projects, due to their size, shape or complexity, are much easier to make using other methods, particularly prepreg (for tight/complex shapes) or infusion (for larger panels).

[@deanpodolsky]

Easy Composites Ltd OK that makes sense. When do you chose to use 2mm sheet wax over something thicker? I’m wondering what the guidelines are for choosing one thickness over another.

[@easycompositestv]

You choose the sheetwax thickness to match the thickness of the laminate you will be laying into the mould. If you're going to make a 1mm thick part then you would use 1mm sheetwax to make the mould 1mm larger than the original part, that way, when you add 1mm of reinforcement into the inside of the new mould the inside of this laminate will match the outside measurements of the original. Watch part one of this video - we explain the concept of sheetwax and offsets in detail there.

[@ahakim98006]

I have recently tried the vacuum storage bag with wet layup and I thought I had discovered something new. I guess not. No Nobel Prize for me :(

[@easycompositestv]

No, sorry, we were playing around with this process nearly 10 years ago and I bet we weren't the first! However, the devil is in the detail and we did do a lot of work before arriving at the best vacuum bagging stack (should we use breather, perforated film, mesh, peel-ply, not of these... etc. etc.).

[@frankyesjosh587]

HI can you use peel ply and breath clothe many times ? Thanks

[@easycompositestv]

No as usually it gets saturated with resin so is not reusable.

[@richardm.newlands2417]

Perfect timing, I'm just about to bag a model aircraft wing. Many thanks!

[@easycompositestv]

Great stuff Richard, I hope it goes well.

[@JagLite]

Excellent tutorial!

[@antonioss6912]

Good morning, congratulations for the contents, I was wondering how long the vacuum pump must be connected before detaching it, also to prevent the piece from drying out too much

[@easycompositestv]

Because a typical vacuum cleaner will only generate around 30% vacuum, there isn't really much danger of a vacuum cleaner drying out the laminate in a vacuum bagging application but most vacuum cleaners won't be happy running for any long period of time (especially fully restricted) and so - providing you've got a fully sealed bag - you should be safe to switch off the vacuum cleaner a few minutes after the bag feels like it reaches full tightness.

[@tridave294]

Peelply can use to cover carbon fibre

[@dejanradivojevic8660]

What vacuum would be required for a larger part like kayaks?

[@christinepaniamogan6674]

Is it same durable for the vaccume cleaner and vaccume pump sir?

[@rekifebrian943]

please tell me, a tool to stop air leaks during the vacuum bag process

[@saerhoga7643]

Hi ! Pressure is -0.2 Bar ? All time? 8:46

[@easycompositestv]

Yes that is the ideal level for most wet lay vacuum bagging work.

[@saerhoga7643]

@@easycompositestv Ok

[@azimpetra]

Could you show how to properly align the first layer to match the patterns? Or is that only possible with prepreg? Example: The chevron shape on the seams. Like some super cars have.

[@easycompositestv]

Hi Azim, generally this is only done using prepreg. There is the possibility to do it using dry fabric but you would need to be using a stabilised fabric such as our ProFinish carbon fibre; it has a binder which holds it together and allows neat cuts and joins (similar to prepreg) to be achieved. Maybe one for a future video.

[@bluspirit81]

why do you use peeply instead of microperforated?just to have a surface already sanded to be glued right?

[@easycompositestv]

yes, in effect it gives an even, textured surface which is ready for secondary bonding.

[@ryanhines719]

Love this stuff! Can’t wait to be able to try this myself!

[@easycompositestv]

Well, give it a go Ryan! We've tried to re-connect with some more accessible methods; hopefully you can see that you can still get good results from even a relatively low cost and straight forward process.

[@IngeBall]

An in depth tutorial regarding UD would be nice. How to build layers for strength in different applications and so forth. The bikeframe briefly touched the subject. And a racecar wingbuild would be awesome!

[@easycompositestv]

A race car wing will definitely be happening in the future, this is one of the tutorials we're most keen to do and we would use it as an opportunity to cover UD reinforcement and fibre alignment in more detail.

[@IngeBall]

@@easycompositestv Can't wait ☺

[@christinepaniamogan6674]

How many manutes for the vaccume cleaner for the full vaccume sir?

[@KingandTitanRacing]

Great video and well timed, exactly what we need to start trying out carbon manufacturing for small parts.

[@easycompositestv]

Great, glad you enjoyed it and good luck with your new projects.

[@ctorresphotography]

Learning how to do this Aircraft Mechanic Training rn. 🤟🏼

[@thundertiger76]

Brilliant, I love making Carbon Fibre products. I didn't know though that you could achieve good results with a vacuum hoover, wished I knew before as it would have saved me buying a dedicated vacuum pump off eBay lol.

[@easycompositestv]

Well, if you're serious about composites it's highly unlikely you won't find numerous uses for a good vacuum pump :)

[@thundertiger76]

Easy Composites Ltd Yeh maybe hehe. I usually do a wet lay but with no bagging at all, have had pretty good results but thought I would try my hand at this Vacuuming business...

[@AuroraCypher]

Hello Ive seen people working with carbon fibre on model airplanes and they did not use the vaccuum method, and it looks very good. Can you tell me what's the difference between these 2 methods ?

[@dgfabrication4987]

When you say sand and clear to remove the pin holes. Do you mean do 1 coat with clear epoxy ? If so how would this fill the holes as small holes seem to be avoided by the resin when I try. Would I need to open them up a bit ? Thanks

[@easycompositestv]

It’s a good question, yes, this can happen. You can try a first application which is more like squeegeeing, use a soft plastic or rubber strip to drag a tiny amount of resin over the surface, this can be more likely to drop in to pin holes properly. Then a second coating over the top. Also, make sure your resin isn’t the problem, XCR is really good at dropping in to pin holes but other resins can be more reluctant.

[@befree1558]

More interesting than most movies these days:)

[@adansyahdan9319]

Always great explanation 👌... I've try to used refrigerator compressor to do my experience. It had great vacuum. I do the wet layer methods. But somehow I always gets pinholes 😞😞. But I got some lessons from this video.. I'll keep trying to get good cosmetics... Thank you very much Mr..😁😁🙏

[@easycompositestv]

Thanks for the comments Adan; it's probably the case that your vacuum level is too high and so is bleeding off too much resin. In our experience, higher levels of vacuum do result in more pin holing.

[@adansyahdan9319]

@@easycompositestv thanks for the explanation 👌... yes probably too high, I didn't notice, because i'm not applying pressure meter ... Once again, thank you 🙏🙏😁

[@ParametricCPA]

Love this - got the vacuum bag, a vacuum and peel ply. Having trouble finding the breather fabric - is there any common household item that would work instead?

[@easycompositestv]

Not that we are aware of. We sell breather here: www.easycomposites.co.uk/br180-breather-fabric

[@jimfarey]

You linked this video for me from another video on resin infusion. Thanks, top banana, might have to try this on my next project!

[@easycompositestv]

Cheers Jim, glad it was up your street.

[@jimfarey]

@@easycompositestv I don't know if you can go into any detail here, but when you have complex shapes to lay up around, is it ok to have very messy lay up so long as lots of fibres overlap, you get angles between fibres if using unidirectional fibre, and you apply some pressure to turn the mess I to one functional unit? I'm trying to avoid the bolt on areas of my cycling shoes, but carbon sheets aren't very easy to stencil holes into I've found... No worries if this is too specific. If you are interested in doing a case study on micro reinforcement, I can send you some pics.

[@easycompositestv]

Hi Jim, yes, you can do this and there wouldn't be much detriment structurally. Probably the closest thing you can see to this in our tutorials would be the laying up of UD carbon around some of the hard-points in our bike frame tutorial. I know the prepreg process is quite different but the principles are the same. Sometimes, you just need to do what you can in terms of reinforcement around complex shapes.

[@jimfarey]

@@easycompositestv thanks ever so much! I'll check it out!

[@pierrekitchener1013]

Why not use a transparent gelcoat before layup of the finished part to avoid the few pinholes ? Too much weight ?

[@easycompositestv]

It's certainly a possibility but it does open up a few additional questions. Epoxy gelcoat is not really 'a thing' for components, especially not a clear one (they're always milky). Epoxy compatible polyester gel exists but then we're complicating things a little and it may be no easier that applying a clearcoat afterwards (which will always be the 'clearest' of all coating options).

[@plproductions8887]

Could this method be used to make an rc buggy chassis roughly 2mm think? If so how would I measure the thickness? (Completely new to this)

[@easycompositestv]

Thickness is down to the number of layers and thickness of the cloth.

[@shoumikpawar8995]

I have got one question after taking off the peel ply can we sand down the carbon fibre part and make it look after ( like carbon fibre texture not the peel ply texture)?

[@easycompositestv]

You would likely need a thin coat of resin to get a smooth finish.

[@shoumikpawar8995]

@@easycompositestv thank you 👍

[@javibendir]

Thank you very much for the videos. Using this low vacuum method, how can I calculate the number of layers of 210 g carbon fabric I need to obtain the desired part thickness?

[@easycompositestv]

The 210g fabric is approximately 0.25mm thick per layer. All our fabrics have the thickness listed in the product specification to help you do this.

[@javibendir]

@@easycompositestv Ok, thanks, I couldn't find the information and I thought that by using low vacuum pressure and embedding the carbon fibre in the resin it would increase in thickness.

[@betarr80]

beautiful tutorial, as always! if i want a gloss and clear finish on it what you suggest? sand it 120/240 grit and another coat of laminating resin? or xcr resin? thanks

[@easycompositestv]

you could put another layer of resin or lacquer it.

[@betarr80]

@@easycompositestv without sanding? Directly on parts a resin like xcr for more uv protection is Good?

[@bobbg9041]

Well as far as cloth. You could use speaker grill cloth, if your making speaker pods for a car audio system. I've used trunk carpet and fiberglass resen problem is it wasnt using a mold and requires a lot of finnish work. So I'm going to have to look how to make the molds.

[@easycompositestv]

They are not particularly stiff fabrics so it depends what your aim is.

[@edwinhadisaputro6331]

What material are peel ply is?? Is just like any regular satin fabric?

[@easycompositestv]

Typically polyester or nylon woven cloth. It is not the same as a regular clothing fabric

[@easycompositestv]

Peel ply is woven polyester or woven nylon (either Nylon 6 or Nylon 66). The resin doesn't stick well to these materials and so the peel ply can be 'peeled off' the laminate. If you try to substitute peel ply for another type of fabric, bear in mind that it will need to be another material that resin doesn't stick to, otherwise it will be impossible to remove.

[@johntenhave1]

That is very clever! I am not sure I fully understand what a 20% vacuum is. ~14psi is atmospheric pressure, does 20% mean a reduction in pressure of 2.8 psi? Many thanks for the education.

[@easycompositestv]

SO vacuum pressure is measured from 0 Bar to -1bar (full vacuum), 20% would be -0.2 bar which equates to approximately 6inHg.

[@ehrix4468]

So I am making a carbon fiber cylinder for part of my rocket and I wanted to try and vacuum bag it. We’ve made a plug that we plan to wrap the carbon fiber around. When we do vacuum bag it, do we have to have a peel ply layer separating the part from the fabric material or can we just lay the fabric material around the carbon fiber then vacuum bag it? The reason I’m asking is because we want the outside of it to be really smooth to minimize drag. Sorry if this is confusing to read. Thanks for any help.

[@easycompositestv]

You are in effect doing the bagging the wrong way round. You can't really avoid the peel ply as the breather will stick to it. The peel ply gives an even stippled finish which can be fairly easily sanded smooth.

[@ehrix4468]

@@easycompositestv got it. Thank you.

[@robjonson629]

great - ive always thought I could use a vac bag in this way - but I need to do a full flat floor, splitter and diffuser.

[@easycompositestv]

Hi Rob, one problem you might run into making really large parts is the gel time on the resin. If the resin starts to cure before you get the bag down then it's too late really. In terms of the bagging method itself, you'd need to use bagging film and tape (you won't find a clothes bag that big!) but you could still use a vacuum cleaner for the pull down. It would even be possible to 'graft' the valve off a storage bag onto a conventional vacuum bag (using sealant tape).

[@robjonson629]

@@easycompositestv thanks you - i yes will give it a go when I get my double garage in a few months time