Nida Bond Core Bedding Compound

[Tscott8201]

Hey all, I am kicking around the idea of using Nida core to replace the balsa in my center consoles deck. While looking at their website I saw they sell a thickened polyester resin that is designed to act as a core bedding adhesive. The price is is of course lower than if I used epoxy thickened with Cabosil, but I am concerned about strength. I hear a lot about the week bond of polyester resins. It seems like the deck of the boat is a bad place to have a weak bond between core and glass. Does anyone have experience with this product? Should I just bite the bullet and use Epoxy?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Tscott8201]

Re: Nida Bond Core Bedding Compound

Judging by the lack of response, I think I will skip the Nida Bond material in favor of thickened epoxy resin. I am also going to go back with balsa as opposed to changing to Nida Core. After looking at their website, it looks like their brand of balsa has better strength under shear and compression than their honeycomb.

I also received a sample pack from Nida core yesterday. I took the samples out to the shop and beat the pooh out of them. I was impressed with the strength of the laminated Nida Core panel, but the unfaced Balsa still appears to have more strength and impact resistance. I took a 3 pound sledge to both the unfaced balsa and the pre-laminated Nida Core Panel. Both did well, but I felt like the Nida Core let go first. Flexibility was hard to judge as the panel of Nida Core they sent was twice as thick as the balsa. The uncoated sample of Nida Core was the same thickness as the balsa, and it was way more flexible than the balsa. I can see how flex in the finished panel may be a problem in certain areas of the boat.

So overall I was impressed with the Nida Core, but due to not knowing how my boat was designed, and how changing the deck to Nida core would affect that design, I am going to go back with balsa. If I bed the balsa correctly and make sure to eliminate all possible areas of moisture intrusion, I think the balsa will last well past the useful life of the boat.

Tom

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Nida Bond Core Bedding Compound

Sorry I missed this.

You do need to use the nida bond adhesive with Nida Core, specifically because the epoxy mixture won't attach well enough, and the skin will delaminate from the core, causing some of the weakness you saw.

Properly bonded it's a better core than balsa, but balsa is easier to use.

Erik

 

[SKIBUM1M]

Re: Nida Bond Core Bedding Compound

I like the idea of nida core but My stringers were fine this time around so i went with plywood but if I ever do the stringers and floor I will use it because I will never have to do anything to the hull again.

 

[Tscott8201]

Re: Nida Bond Core Bedding Compound

Sorry I missed this.

You do need to use the nida bond adhesive with Nida Core, specifically because the epoxy mixture won't attach well enough, and the skin will delaminate from the core, causing some of the weakness you saw.

Properly bonded it's a better core than balsa, but balsa is easier to use.

Erik

Thanks, I was generally pretty impressed with the Nida Core, but this being my first project in the boating realm, I thought it wise to limit my variables. I know how to work with wood and I am fairly comfortable with the process that lies before me. I just got off the phone with Nida Core and ordered a case of their Balsa wood sheets. If nothing else, I feel that the smaller size of the balsa sheets will allow me to work in smaller chunks. I may even experiment with a smaller (read cheaper) vacuum bagging setup since I don't have to cover such a large area at one time. I am very excited about this project and am looking forward to completing it and getting the old girl back out on the water.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Nida Bond Core Bedding Compound

Check out my thread on my "new vacuum bagging setup". I'm getting started with that myself, and I think my rig is about as cheap as it gets...

Erik