How to use my Acrylic Templates to build DIY Fiberglass Hatch Molds

[@jackisboss1]

Great video! I watched your older videos and just recently successfully made 2 sets of hatches. Used my trim router and made them out of MDF. Vaccumed bagged the gutters, pain in the ass to make the mold but nothing is more satisfying than seeing the end product.

[@boatcrafterscollective]

Thanks. Yeah building the molds is a little tedious but worth it if they work.

[@primate2744]

Welcome back!

[@fireboat54]

Glad to see you back on YT. I like the idea of the acrylic templates. They are certainly more economical when doing several hatches and many of us DIY'ers already have a table saw, router table and more. However, with things like the 7-inch round hatch, it is more time and cost effective to just buy it ready made from you.

[@boatcrafterscollective]

Thanks. If you only need one hatch per size, ordering them from me makes more sense. The MDF molds require a decent amount of work after the pieces are cut to finish them and make them ready to pull parts. You will need to glue them together strong enough so they won't fall apart after completing the first part. They also require the surface to be primed/coated to smooth them. I typically use epoxy resin to glue and surface the molds and epoxy primer to surface them, so you would need to purchase those items. After investing in time and materials, it would end up costing more to make your own molds than just buying them completely. If you need several of the same size, then it starts to make more sense to build the molds yourself. You also have to factor in the materials' cost to build the parts. A medium-sized hatch such as 20x20 will take about three gallons of resin for a gutter and lid. You also need to buy foam coring so the materials start to add up really quickly.

[@dzink4624]

I love the videos thank you. I'm in the process of making the mold the way you have it set out. What thickness core do you use in the Lid? You mentioned 1". What is your layup schedule on the lid? Thank you in advance

[@boatcrafterscollective]

The coring for my hatch designs is 1/2” coring. My lam schedule is .75oz/1.5oz/1708/1.5oz/foam core/1708/1.5oz

[@NA-su3jk]

Whats the material of the boards please? Do you buy it or make it? Does this type of board float? Ty

[@boatcrafterscollective]

Float ?? This is MDF wood

[@NA-su3jk]

@@boatcrafterscollective Thank u, sorry was not familiar. Does mdf dissolve in water (if not sealed/treated)? Thank you, sorry for ignorant q but have to ask to know :)

[@boatcrafterscollective]

@NA-su3jk yes it will ruin it. MDF does not like water.

[@CoralReefMarine]

I need one ☝️ how much?

[@boatcrafterscollective]

backyardboatworks.com/collections/mold-making-parts-supplies