Vacuum Bagging, Vacuum Forming, Molding, Casting...

[Dayenu]

I have been wanting to offer some educational threads as a thank you to all who come here and have helped my wife and I obtaining our new C-26 and answering our questions... Hoping to "give back" to the community here with over 20 years of professional experience with a bunch of different fabrication skills

I somehow got side tracked on another sailor's thread here and as members started asking questions... I I felt badly and didn't want to distract anymore from the original thread's subject but felt the topic of vacuum bagging was one that is a mystery to most, seemingly out of reach, too complicated, too expensive etc....

On the contrary... The process is SO simple!

First off, please let me share my background: Motion picture special effects artist, prototype developer and toy designer.... for over 20 years (You've seen my work: Star Trek IX, The 5th Element, The Power Rangers Movie, Jingle All The Way and more.... Mattel, Hasbro, Fisher-Price.... I also design and manufacture RC aircraft including surveillance UAVs. I am also the son of a fine cabinet maker and LOVE working in wood as much as composites and plastics...

Websites:
www.jareldesign.com
www'jarelaircraftdesign.com

Vacuum bagging is not just for composites... its the BEST way to glue laminates to wood and wood to wood... think of it as a way to apply an incredible amount of pressure (clamp replacement) evenly over flat and irregular shapes....

Here is a Tutorial Thread I started at another website:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=966524

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=966524

In this thread, I apply the vacuum bagging process to gluing wood wings skins onto a hot wire cut set of foam airfoils... the goal... permanent, strong adhesion to a delicate surface without distorting the foam in any way....

The price for the system (including pump!) is $10...!!!!! In the thread, other modelers contribute other pump alternatives ranging from $25 to $500 to recycling the oil sealed vacuum pumps out of discarded refrigerators...

I work a lot so I may not be able to come here often,,, but doing so is such a great break from my work! LOL!

Read the thread if you're interested (I tend to be computer illiterate so I'm not sure if one of these is a link and one is just text to copy and paste into your browser....

Here's a link to photos of our Chrysler 26

http://s1284.photobucket.com/user/DAYEN ... ry/?page=1

I hope the links work....

As I have time, I hope to share more skill sets and tips on molding, casting (replacing old broken parts by molding and casting them? Vacuum forming (different than vacuum "bagging")... forming rigid sheet plastic into complex shapes (instrument covers, instrument housings, combing pockets, galley dividers, just look around.. there are TONS of stuff you can make with this method... What do you need? kitchen over and a shop vac...

Ok... I need to get back to work (yes, even on a Sunday)

enjoy the thread!

Best,
Richard