1. Home
  2. Model rockets forum
  3. Vacuum bagging your own fin cans - new Blastzone Pics

Vacuum bagging your own fin cans - new Blastzone Pics

I've been vacuum bagging my own composite fin cans for a while now, and I
finally got around to documenting the process. Visit the url below for pics
and descriptions.
Also included is how to speed set your fins! Go from raw tube to cured epoxy
fillets in 30 minutes or less! Nothing magic, just expedient rocket
building.
AND, my version of the poor mans curing oven. Well, no curing oven, but a
method to heat your layup to 180 F with no cure box.
formatting link

Reply to
Greg Deputy
Loading thread data ...
SWEET!
Greg, I imagine you REEEEEEAALLY need to get out ALL the creases in the bag when you pull a vacuum, right?
-Gene "owns-multiple-VB-accoutrements-but-make-excuses-constantly-about-why-he-doe sn't-use-them" Costanza
Reply to
Gene
Warning - The oven cure method can be extremely dangerous to your martial status. My wife still reminds me of my sin and that transgression was 4 years ago. Its much safer to take a card board box, stick you fin can in it, then put a hole in the side for a hair dryer. I went a step further and rigged up a probe type line voltage thermostat to control the hair dryer. I do it in the shop or outside away from the main house areas. It's a wife safe method. Gary Deaver
Reply to
Deaver
Its pretty easy to get it all flat when using the vacuum cleaner to suck it down first. However, wrinkles in the layup is not something i've had problems with when bagging fin cans. When I try and bag small diameter composite tubes, however, I cant seem to get one of those to work without wrinkles to save my life!
"owns-multiple-VB-accoutrements-but-make-excuses-constantly-about-why-he-doe
Reply to
Greg Deputy
All depends on the marital unit, I guess. :) I do all of the cooking anyways, so the kitchen is my domain. Now, if I could just get my wife to want to go to a launch every now and then...
Reply to
Greg Deputy
A just as dangerous cure method is the dishwasher dry cycle. My son faced the wrath of mom for weeks on that one. As to wife attending a launch. This year my son and I have Planned the family vacation in the LDRS area with a little 2 day detour to it mixed in. So far it's working. Gary Deaver
Reply to
Deaver
I haven't tried this yet -
Someone on a fiberglass list told me to try cutting the peel ply into narrow strips & winding them spirally around the tube. Then do the rest as normal. Next time I do some tubes, I'm going to try it.
Reply to
Phil Stein
I can verify this. Many years ago I sealed some fins with finishing epoxy that wouldn't cure in the cold basement. I put them in the oven and just used the light for warmth for a couple days. Until my wife turned the thing on HIGH to pre-heat it for cooking something. I still have three BLACK charred warped fins to remind me...
Bob Kaplow NAR # 18L TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD" >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD!
Reply to
Bob Kaplow
You could always plan the whole vacation around the launch and tell her she has the liberty to go where ever she wants. Just dont bug you. ;-)
Reply to
Robert DeHate

Further Reading

  • Vacuum bagging

  • Hi All I have a old 1700 vacuum motor can I use it for vacuum bagging or wont...

  • Vacuum bagging reloads....

  • Is there any negative aspects to vacuum bagging reloads (using a foodsaver)? The...

  • foaming fin cans

  • Ok, here's a tech post for us all.I've foamed mild Hi-Power rocket's...

  • vacuum bagging wings

  • Hey guys,I am vacuum bagging a set of wing using some West Systems epoxy and...

  • Vacuum bagging Canadians

  • I have a lab size vacuum pump I want to get rid of $150 and also avacuum chamber...

  • Re: Vacuum Bagging pumps

  • Ian -I have seen a lot of good vac bagging systems made with oldrefrigerator...

  • composite fins without vacuum bagging?

  • Is there a good way to lay up carbon fiber over a light weight core without the...

  • IPMS-USA Journal: 'Build your own vacuum chamber'

  • I just noted that the IPMS-USA Journal has an article titled 'Build your own...

  • make your own press brake dies

  • A 150 ton press followed my son home... It wieghs in at around 14,000 lbs. has...

  • Rolling Your Own

  • Where can I get a goodprimer on making your owndecals using a inkjet...

  • Casting Your Own

  • Can someone advice on good discussion groups on casting and model making. I...

  • Vaccum Bagging

  • Anyone done any vaccum bagging of fibreglass ? If so how much oomph doI need?...

  • venturi vacuum generator plans

  • Hi,I have a sherline lathe and want to build a venturi vacuumgenerator, to be...

  • 50# welding rod cans?

  • Awhile ago Ernie's school was surplusing some welding rod so I picked upa...

  • build your own retracts

  • Does anyone know of any websites on building your own retractable model plane...

  • Fully Assembled Rocket Motors: SU-FARM ®©

  • Does this mean that ANY Fully Assembled Rocket Motor can be purchased now...
  • « previous thread

  • Jerry Irvine still not selling motors????

  • He keeps calling everyone a moron for not educating their ATF agents to the...
  • next thread »

PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.