So while I wait for some parts to arrive to finish my custom free race build, i thought I would quickly pop out a new twintip. I am familiar with using foam core construction, and decided to give my hand at a wood core. Seemed easy enough, requiring less work than shaping foam. Kind of a 'press and go' solution.
I picked up a sheet of 1/4" marine plywood. First mistake.
2. After prepping the table and cutting my glass and vacuum plys, i change ppe and get the resin out. The west system pumps weren't closed correctly and half my container of resin has crystallized making it unusable. (this can be reversed using a hot plate or bucket of hot water and time, but I wanted to get done quickly) I rush to the store to grab another resin.
3. I lay the glass on the table and begin to wet it out. I use two layer on the bottom, cut oversized to wrap the rails. I place the core on the table, press it down and begin to wrap the glass over the edge. Immediately the core springs back to flat and my edge wont hold. To counter the spring back I weight the core (this works with foam) and finish the wrap with difficultly. At this point Ive realized that I should have cut the fibres to shape, and not wrapped. After I would be able to trim the excess. Cannot do this now as the two top sheets have been cut smaller than the core for the overlap.
4. I decide to press on and deal with the edge clean up afterwards. Using cabosil maybe ill be able to cure the rail and the fibres together. I add the release film and peel ply, add the breather and place the vacuum film over the table.
5. An hour goes by and I am still trying to find the leak to the vacuum. ive double tacky-taped the edge, tried the valve, but no luck. Has to be a slow leak in the bag. Most likely a defect (Have had pitted film before). I tear off the bag, retape the edges and go to get a new piece of film. My roll ends and Im 6 inches too short. Now i have no other option but to wet lay. Its possible to weight the board to the rocker, but ive have a concave trim as well and cannot remove it once the sheet is in use. I flatten the rocker and leave it for 24 hours.
Things to change for the next one:
- Use 1/8" ply and sandwich together with fiber between
- Cut glass to shape
- Check vacuum supplied, verify film for defects
After a very frustrating 5 hours, the next morning we got 25 kts of sunny warm wind and I wasnt so pissed. Hopefully this weekend Ill have a decent photo to post of a proper wood core board
