2021 what did you do today?

[mmattockx]

Put  a  face on it and keep going

I will see what I can do on that.


Mark

[wood carver 2]

It should be hidden behind the strike plate.
Dave.

[Longcruise]

Too cold to do anything outside so I made a run at making phenolic.   It's in the wifes oven now and should be cured in a few hours.  Or tomorrow if she catches me!

I used EA40.  It was hard to work into the material and it might not be adequately saturated.  Thinner epoxy would be better.

[Roy from Pa]

In other words she isn't home?

If she sees that stove top,  yer in deep do do.

LOL you go Mike...

[Pat B]

...if he doesn't glue it to the stove top.   

[Roy from Pa]

LOL I can see that now...

[Roy from Pa]

Had enough computer time for now, it's a balmy 31 degrees and just started snowing.

Prefect day for the bow shop, started a fire a half hour ago to get it warmed it up...

Gotta redeem myself after the last bow failure:)

[Buemaker]

Nothing like a good wood fire.

[kennym]

Yup and ya got kindlin now... 

[Mad Max]

Yup and ya got kindlin now... 

Your going to Hell for that one Kenny

[kennym]

Sorry Rody ... 

[Longcruise]

It would be great to have a shop like that to hang out in.

The phenolic project is done.  I got away with it in the oven too. 

The results were a little iffy in several respects but it was a success in terms of learning experience.

The EA40 seems to have worked out fine and it looks so far like penetratated completely.   I still think a thinner epoxy would be easier and faster to apply as long as it allows sufficient working time.

My pressure block system needs improvement.   The block that goes into the channel needs to have some clearance on the edges.  Mine was too tight and tore the sara allowing glue to leak and glued the block into the channel.   A chisel was needed to get it apart.   

This was pine.  Hardwood will make a much better pressure system.   But,  this one served for this experiment.   

Another thing is, I allowed some stray threads to get into the layup.  They will sand off but the end product will look better without them.

Next, notice that there are some fine lines in the surface that seem to be caused fine checks in the wood.  Hardwood with a fine sanded surface should solve that.   Also, notice the odd rectangular impression in the surface.  It was caused by the label on the wood that is seen in the same photo.   

All the photos below will illustrate the comments above.

Finally,  I'm going to do more of this but from a time and $$$ economy POV it's not worth it.   What will ??? Be worth it will be the ability to create a custom product with custom patterns and colors.  Otherwise,  just jump on Kenny's website and order it delivered!! 

[Bvas]

Mike, I made some phenolic a couple years back using the same method as you.

Couple things I did different that might help. Make the mold extra wide so you can trim to width you need. I think I did 2” mold with 1-7/8” fabric and pressure plate for 1-1/2” finished product. Also, use wax paper instead of plastic wrap. Folds much easier into the mold.

[flyonline]

The EA40 seems to have worked out fine and it looks so far like penetratated completely.   I still think a thinner epoxy would be easier and faster to apply as long as it allows sufficient working time.

When I was into building composite RC gliders, the difference in specific composite resin and general epoxy (wests) was like night and day - don't know how you got that EA40 through!! If you have any composite type shop near by, see if they'll sell you a cup of resin from their bulk just to try before investing in thinner resin. The stuff I used had a pot life of 90min or so, and thinner resin will be quicker to wet out too.

My pressure block system needs improvement.   The block that goes into the channel needs to have some clearance on the edges.  Mine was too tight and tore the sara allowing glue to leak and glued the block into the channel.   A chisel was needed to get it apart.   

Do you have access to a food saver? They work great. For a release agent, a car polish wax can work, I've only used composite specific wax but I've read of others that used Maguirs type waxes successfully. Try a test run first before you layup something serious, composites can be weird, what works for me may not work for you and vice versa! You should be able to get away with just a release agent, any crinkles in the saran/wax paper will transfer across to the finish.

This was pine.  Hardwood will make a much better pressure system.   But,  this one served for this experiment.   

If you have access to the food saver, MDF sanded and sealed also works well. Aluminium channel also works great if you can get it in the right size.

Another thing is, I allowed some stray threads to get into the layup.  They will sand off but the end product will look better without them.

Try the lightest mist of hair spray to hold the fabric together. You can also wet it out on a carrier (e.g. wax paper) then place it into the mold.

Next, notice that there are some fine lines in the surface that seem to be caused fine checks in the wood.  Hardwood with a fine sanded surface should solve that.   Also, notice the odd rectangular impression in the surface.  It was caused by the label on the wood that is seen in the same photo.   

Yep, any imperfection on the mold surface shows up 

[mmattockx]

No pics, but I glued up the first assembly on my lam bow experiment. Looks like I was light on the glue, too. Hopefully I didn't duff it too bad and it can be rescued once cured. I have never had an issue with dry joints before but I really underestimated how much the glue would soak in while I was getting everything situated and clamped. I need more clamps, too. Ended up short and a couple spots weren't clamped as well as I wanted.

Ah well, it is all educational if nothing else. Will see how bad it all looks tomorrow.


Mark

[Roy from Pa]

Yup and ya got kindlin now... 

Hey McKendzie-Boy..

Ah never mind:)

 

Mark, it didn't happen wifout pichers:)

[mmattockx]

Mark, it didn't happen wifout pichers:)

I know, the rule of the interwebz. After a couple of old fashioned's (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_fashioned_(cocktail)) last night and getting over the disappointment of having screwed that up so thoroughly I have decided that this will be kindling. I still have a good back lam and another good red oak board in the stash, so I think I will start over with new pieces.

I will pull it off the form today and get some pictures for posterity.


Mark

[Roy from Pa]

Kindling is what keeps the shop warm:)

[mmattockx]

Kindling is what keeps the shop warm:)

Sadly this is true. I knew this would be a walk through uncharted territory for me, but experience always seems to be more painful than expected.


Mark

[DanoMano]

With about 2 weeks left of bowhunting,and an unfilled tag  I went and sat in my tree stand for a few hours.Not much was moving but enjoyed the sound of squirrels and birds around me,as snow flakes came down in slow motion.