I'm thinking of doing some laminating with twill, but it seems to fray very easily around the edges. Has anyone heard of using hairspray to hold the twill in position while it's cut and laid in position for wetting out?
I've been using 93gsm for a fairly decent finish on some fins, but the carbon supplier has bought some cheap crap which doesn't laminate well at all and I'm unable to find 93 anywhere.

Hey, Pepe, I've used masking tape, you just stick it on outside the required area and cut through the middle of it. BUT you have to make sure you don't stretch the tape while sticking it on, or it distorts the cloth. If you're doing compound curves you also need to unstick the tape, (so that the cloth can conform to the shape,) but that is fairly easy once wet out, the epoxy seems to release the adhesive.

Sounds good Decrep. Do you use a rotary cutter, like an olfa or similar?

no mate just scissors,

But are you talking about for making a fin so you want the edge to be perfect...?
In that case the tape will still pull

I've seen guys using a 3M spray contact to hold things in place while laminating. It works quite well. I wouldn't use hairspray. I would think it has wax in it

Thanks Hoop, that might be the answer. I use a rotary cutter around a template, one of 4 differing sizes, but the exterior is the problem child, the first layup. cheers

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hoop said..
I've seen guys using a 3M spray contact to hold things in place while laminating. It works quite well. I wouldn't use hairspray. I would think it has wax in it

or bog on joints and 200 staples?

Thanks for the tip Hoop, I guess it'll get better with a bit of practice. This is a 35 dtt weedie for my 124 futura. 43 degrees for a bit of lift. (and a fraction less shedding ability). Always a trade off....

Another masterpiece Paul!!! Great work mate.

ditto.
A work of art, as always.

wow!!!

Nice work pepe!

Although I can't answer based on personal experience, I have a supplier specialised in bespoke composites and he also uses super-glue (cyanoacrylate type) to retain the twill in position, particularly in intricate geometries of the tool when using the vacuum bag.

3M Super 77 spray glue is the go. lightly dust the area you want to keep together. let it dry, then cut it out. You will loose all drapability if u spray though.

it aint cheap though. mine cost like $30 for a can. it is designed to be able to be used on EPS without melting it. It also wont mess with the resin.

Thanks for that. I got a bit lazy while I was in bunnings and thought I'll just grab this cheap contact cement (spray can), which is still tacky a week later stuck to a nice piece of twill...bugger. I'll order the 77 on-line I think, cheers

great looking fin pepe is it from a mold ? I've been using hairspray and it works fine on carbon as long as you only use it on one side but not so good on glass ,also been using a fabric cutting wheel to cut the fabric

Yes it is Keef, I posted pictures of the mould in "meguiars mold release wax" back in 2014. I use an "Olfa" rotary cutter, does the job well.

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pepe47 said..
Yes it is Keef, I posted pictures of the mould in "meguiars mold release wax" back in 2014. I use an "Olfa" rotary cutter, does the job well.

I remember the post but cant remember if the mold had a spillage well ? have you thought of blocking the mold off and doing some smaller versions as it's a great lookijg fin
I got hold of a c3 sweed and made some rubber plugs , maybe its worth a thought as well as a solid glass leading edge or maybe you have tried it


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Definitely not twill, but a bit of fun on my days off. Had some highlighted plain weave from carbon composites left over, basically carbon with anodised ally foil.

Oooh, I like that anodized foil. It appeals to my taste for the bright and sparkly.

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Windxtasy said..
Oooh, I like that anodized foil. It appeals to my taste for the bright and sparkly.

But what will it do for the crabs???? Don't want to attract them.