Vacuum Bag

please can anybody tell me the maximum length of boat where i can use vacuum bag in a correct way

 

I have bagged up to @18 Meters one shot,the main thing is setup and having the right equipment.Talking wetbagging and corebonding right?

 

so would you tell me exactly and step by step what is the right way yo get a good result in case of 15 m boat

 

so would you tell me exactly and step by step what is the right way yo get a good result in case of 15 m boat

 

Sir sure, what are you doing? That will help me direct you a little better.

 

actually i am building a boat of about 15m length, 3.5m breadth and 3.5m depth and i used to follow the hand layup method and i want to try the vacuum bag but i don't know how.

so please i need you to explain some points to me:

1- may i put all the dry reinforcements in the mold then cover them with the bag and connect it with resin supply, pump and pressure gauge then secure and start the pump.

2- and if so, how can the resin reach the upper side edge of the mold and how can if be well distributed.

3- or shall i laminate the reinforcements with resin first then start bagging and how can i prevent resin curing before i complete lamination.

 

Here's how we do it on a smaller hull.

Gel coat mold.
Skin coat. Being a wet layup layer of mat. This helps with print through, sealing for vacuum, protecting the gelcoat when working in the hull.
Load in all the material and core dry.
Bag with plumbing.
Vacuum it all down.
Shoot in the resin.



The green lines are feed lines, the air is pumped out around the top border. We start flowing the resin at the bottom. As the hull fills, we close off the lower lines and open higher ones.

When the entire hull is filled we close 'em all off and wait for it all to kick.

Start small, there is a steeper learning curve to this than it looks.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

-jim lee

 

Size does not matter that much. I know of a 90 meter project (1 shot...)

I I do not forget I will post some pictures of 15 meter(ish) boats, being infused.

 

here you can find some informations - 24metres carbon with many pictures:
http://www.polyworx.com/apz/slov1/
hth

 

1. You will need to bring in someone to help you setup the first infusion,there is some training involved,strategies and equipment considerations,otherwise it goes to the dump.

2. the feeders can be staged so when the resin front reaches a point then a second line can be opened if this is necessary.

3. there are inhibitors (for the ester resins)that can be used to control the gel time,you can get whatever time is needed, they are common in the industry,Working alone I would set the geltime for @4 hours.

 

Thats like asking how long is a piece of string !!
It depends of a lot of things . :?:
We were doing the total inside of 35 foot yachts Gun-whale to Gun-whale in one shot but it took some planing to get to that stage !!
Timing and knowing what you are doing and knowing and understanding the materials you are using is all important .
Getting just one part of the operation wrong and you could loose the lot .
Biggest panels i have made were 16 mtrs long and 4.5 mtrs wide using 50 mm core stuck down with core bond . Started at one end and worked to the other and laid all the peel ply and bleeders a scrim and bag with pipes as we went till we got to the last and closed immediately the last sheet of core was laid and covered with all the ply's etc , Had a really big vac system with lots a stowage ! Open the valve and had immediate suck down in less then a minute and final vac in 5 minutes . Minimum of 6 persons well schooled and experienced people to do those sizes of panels and 100% of everything at you finger tips along with spares like tape ,scissors spare buckets of core bond , boxs of gloves etc etc , including spare catalyst bottles etc etc and numerous other things . Once the bucket of core bond is catalyzed and mixed there is no stopping for any reason .

 

...do you mean simple vacuum bag, or are you referring to resin infusion...two different things in reality......even though the resin infusion is done by vacuum.....

 

Landlubber, what in the world is your avitar picture of? I've finally given up trying to figure it out.

-jim lee

 

jim,

Have a look here, it is detail of the real Landlubber, I am only a copy.....

http://www.skotolsen.com/purchase/landlubber.php

 

Oh no! A self portrait! I do not even have an avatar, I believe. Will create one...

On infusion: If you have the chance, lend yourself out to a boatyard doing infusions. You will learn enough to be able to do smaller infusions, and read and understand discussions on larger ones.

I am preparing a document explaining the process a bit further. (but give me another couple of weeks)