Household objects as fiberglass molds?

[BWR1953]

As I'm perusing marine and boating catalogs and see 14 gallon baitwells for $200 and 20 gallon baitwells for $300, I can't help but think that I could save a ton of money by using a plastic 20 gallon trashcan as a mold and make my own. Same for stowage compartments.

The plastic is smooth and sometimes shiny, depending on the unit. Put in some mold release, shoot some gelcoat in there, resin & glass the inside and presto change-o, ya gotta $10 baitwell that could look as good and work as well as a $200 factory unit. Nice and shiny on the outside and fiberglass strong.

And it beats making a plywood plug, then a mold, followed by making the actual unit. Could work for other marine items as well.

Anyone done this? Viable idea?

-BWR

 

[5150abf]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

A mold is a mold, I am sure the glass won't care and it sounds like you know what you are doing so why not.

I am an aluminum welder so I make all my stuff out of that, can't stand the smell of fiberglass.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

agree, as long as the mold does not react to the heat, or bond with the glass. i hate glassing also. and my nephew loves it.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

Just don't make a fuel tank.

 

[Windykid]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

Why not try it if its only 10 dollars? Then write a book about it, cha ching!

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

Just don't make a fuel tank.

Why not? It's just a matter of using the proper resin. There are many many many fiberglass homebuilt airplanes flying with fiberglass fuel tanks. In fact a few years back one flew non-stop around the world.

I too (in case it hasn't shown already) am a fiberglass person. Heck yes, there are all kinds of ways to inexpensively make fiberglass boat parts. Let us know how it works out.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

Ethanol in gasoline dissovles the resin. Lot's of information on this on the web. A couple of class action law suits have been filed by boaters who have had to do major modifications to replace fiberglass tanks. Does Aviation gas have ethanol???

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

I think it is a great idea for a baitwell.

Gentlemen ikbum, metriccrescentwrench and ondarvr we are talking baitwell! How much gas do you put in your baitwell

 

[QC]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

How much gas do you put in your baitwell

Are you suggesting that I shouldn't?

BTW, since we are talking bait tanks . . . I am trying to figure out how to get our local Sardines and Anchovies to last more than 10 minutes . . . My boat is fast, but not that fast

 

[fdmsiv]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

I would suggest using epoxy, poly resin may interact with plastics

 

[lkbum]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

I think it is a great idea for a baitwell.

Gentlemen ikbum, metriccrescentwrench and ondarvr we are talking baitwell! How much gas do you put in your baitwell

Agreed on the baitwell and since one thing usually leads to another..... I think it was good advice on the gas tank. I don't think any of the posters said to put gas in a baitwell.......

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

Are you suggesting that I shouldn't?

QC You may add Liquid Natural Gas to your baitwell ...... I am sure there is a conversion available for people in California!!

Agreed on the baitwell and since one thing usually leads to another..... I think it was good advice on the gas tank. I don't think any of the posters said to put gas in a baitwell.......

Except may QC !!!

 

[QC]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

This is the god's honest truth . . . I have actually seen fish in LNG. Supposedly goldfish will come back to life after being quick frozen in LNG and then plopped back into some water. The one time I saw the demonstration the fish died and we almost burned down a hotel. Other than that it was a great demo . . .

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

Finding small amounts of specialty resins can be difficult and costly, and if you're not familiar with the products and methods of construction its best not to mess with a fuel tank. Plus, by the time you add up all the costs it would be cheaper to buy one.

The main advantage would be you could possibly make a custom shape, but that's about it.

You won't be building stuff for $10.00 unless they're very small, but making live wells and such is a very good project. Plastic buckets, Rubber Maid bins, etc can be used as very low cost molds.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

This is the god's honest truth . . . I have actually seen fish in LNG. Supposedly goldfish will come back to life after being quick frozen in LNG and then plopped back into some water. The one time I saw the demonstration the fish died and we almost burned down a hotel. Other than that it was a great demo . . .

My wife worked the animal hospital intern vetrinary asst. One day after work she told me today I sedated an angel fish in gingerale to remove a tumor.. common gingerale unbelivable I would have never guessed.
Ok back to the baitwell, I made one from an insulated 42qt igloo. works great kept out of the sun the fish will stay cool for hours, it's one of those round coolers not rectangular cause you don't want corners if you can help it, baitfish are happier in a round barrel where they can swim round instead of crashing into sides.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

Last year a member made a baitwell out of foam panels and covered it with epoxy/glass. He claimed it worked well and keept cool.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

I'm talking about baitwells and stowage compartments, not fuel tanks. I already have a fuel tank! LOL!

I like the idea of a round baitwell... makes sense to me. The foam panel thing and cooler both sound good for an ice chest. Did they have drain holes piped into the bilge?

-BWR

 

[mthieme]

Re: Household objects as fiberglass molds?

This is the god's honest truth . . . I have actually seen fish in LNG. Supposedly goldfish will come back to life after being quick frozen in LNG and then plopped back into some water. The one time I saw the demonstration the fish died and we almost burned down a hotel. Other than that it was a great demo . . .

too cool.
They freeze in the backyard pond and manage to move around come spring.
Nature - go figure.