Balsa core "filler"

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by rturbett, Oct 12, 2005.

  1. rturbett
    Joined: Aug 2005
    Posts: 193
    Likes: 4, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 35
    Location: FINGER LAKES, NY

    rturbett Senior Member

    What would be an appropriate filler (strong, sandable) for a balsa core?
    As I lay up the balsa blocks, there will be some gappage between them as they wrap around the curve of the hull. I will try to minimize this by going to a smaller block, but I do anticipate gaps. I would like to use something that mimmics the sanding properties of balsa.
    Would it be approprate to leave the gaps, sand hulls fair, and then do an epoxy fillercoat?
    Thanks for your input.
    Rob
     
  2. jfblouin
    Joined: Sep 2004
    Posts: 163
    Likes: 1, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 24
    Location: Chandler(Gaspesie) Quebec

    jfblouin Senior Member

    Microballounes mix in epoxy
     
  3. yokebutt
    Joined: Aug 2004
    Posts: 545
    Likes: 2, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 15
    Location: alameda CA

    yokebutt Boatbuilder

    Rob,

    I doubt you will have any luck fairing end grain balsa. Some of the blocks are usually much harder than other ones to sand. Gaps can be filled with putty, preferably something as strong as the balsa itself. Laminate the outer skin onto the balsa, then fair it. If you have the stations either CNC cut or trace them carefully from a full size mylar, (we use a spur wheel for that) and take your time to set them up accurately, you should not need that much goop to fair it.

    Yoke.
     

  4. rturbett
    Joined: Aug 2005
    Posts: 193
    Likes: 4, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 35
    Location: FINGER LAKES, NY

    rturbett Senior Member

    Thanks- I've got some "contest grade" balsa coming my way- should be pretty consistant in density. Just a gentle shaping is all I'm after so that I don't have to do as much work after the outer lamination is on.

    Rob
    ps
    Jean-Francois- Votre Englais c'est cava. Mon Francaise c'est terrible!
     
Loading...
Similar Threads
  1. aaronhl
    Replies:
    11
    Views:
    2,800
  2. coolgps
    Replies:
    36
    Views:
    10,318
  3. 67-LS1
    Replies:
    12
    Views:
    967
  4. Bigtalljv
    Replies:
    11
    Views:
    1,503
  5. Nachtvlinder
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    1,078
  6. Blueknarr
    Replies:
    11
    Views:
    2,471
  7. Straycatstrut
    Replies:
    7
    Views:
    2,751
  8. Steve W
    Replies:
    201
    Views:
    27,308
  9. Skua
    Replies:
    46
    Views:
    13,298
  10. mjkkemper
    Replies:
    29
    Views:
    6,493
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.