More newbie fiberglass questions.

[mercurymang]

I posted this in my build thread but I am starting to see that it's better when asking questions not directly pertaining to your thread to create a new one. Forgive me for the duplicate post.

I'm starting to look at getting the fiberglass supplies and have a few questions.

First off, regarding fiberglass, it looks like the main reason to use 1708 is if you need to build up a surface. 1708 does not use as much resin as csm per unit of area but is more expensive and harder to work with. Can I do my entire build with csm and is there anywhere that I "should" use 1708"

Second. Regarding resin. Looking on UsComposites site, there are many types of poly resin available at differing prices. I'm thinking of going with the 435 Layup Resin (marine grade) at $125/5gal. Just curious though, is there any reason not to use the General purpose resin @$108/5gal?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: More newbie fiberglass questions.

Uhmmm there are Hundreds of posts on the forum each day and it sometimes takes a while for members to respond to everyones questions. This question has been asked a lot here on the forum and some Advanced Searching would prolly have yielded some good info. Patience IS a virtue!!! CSM offers very little strength to the mix in your layups. It acts mainly as a binder for the molecules in the resin. The 1708 is very much required to give structural strength to the boat due to it's weave and the strength of it's fibers. It is not mainly used for building up mass to the surface. It actually takes almost the exact same amount of resin to wet out CSM as it does 1708. This will be a good read for you...http://www.fiberglasssite.com/servlet/the-68/Fiberglass-Information,-and-How/Detail. IMHO it is much easier to work with than CSM. My Link on Stringers, Decks, and Transoms "Fabricating Decks, Stringers, and Transoms"clearly spells out when and where to use both. The 435 USC Resin is the most commonly used resin here on the forum. I'd highly recommend using it or your build. The GP resin has less viscosity, and will not yield as strong of a bond as the 435. Not ALL Poly resin formulas are the same. It's worth the extra $17.

 

[mercurymang]

Re: More newbie fiberglass questions.

Thanks Woodonglass. Ya, I probably ask too many questions. I need to learn how to use that advanced search better.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: More newbie fiberglass questions.

From my experience, 1708 was way easier to work with than CSM! No comparison...