Thread: Weird question...felt scales?

Originally Posted by ryanjewell

Sooo...how does one impregnate felt with resin?

I would start with dinner by candle light.

I think 1 inch is way too thick. People have problems "wetting" or getting thin fiberglass sheets thoroughly soaked with epoxy, so I wouldnt bet on the 1 inch working. As others have said, the thin sheet route would be better. You could prolly even pigment the epoxy and get a nice layered effect if you wanted-but thats getting ahead of things. You could test compression by just wetting it with water and see how much it compresses, I would think.

You would want a long set epoxy. One option is glaze coat, which you can get a lowes, its good stuff and really handy. But there are professional epoxies that might be better suited that are designed to have their set times altered by controlling the ratio of epoxy to hardener. They might be thinner and better absorbed, too, glaze coat itsnt really designed to be used with cloth like that. Marine epoxies are supposed to be good.

I was thinking of doing something similar at one point. I ended up on a model RC plane forum. Those guys know alot about epoxies and using them with cloth to build structures, since thats how some of them make their planes. I dotn know if it thats specialized subset of model plane building or not, but I didnt have trouble running across it on the internet, if you're inclined to look. There was alot of info there--almost too much, in fact. It would have taken me a few hours reading to catch up and understand what they were talking about, and I really didnt feel like doing that at the time.

Originally Posted by jaswarb

I would start with dinner by candle light.

i was waiting for that..

Originally Posted by Pete_S

I think 1 inch is way too thick. People have problems "wetting" or getting thin fiberglass sheets thoroughly soaked with epoxy, so I wouldnt bet on the 1 inch working. As others have said, the thin sheet route would be better. You could prolly even pigment the epoxy and get a nice layered effect if you wanted-but thats getting ahead of things. You could test compression by just wetting it with water and see how much it compresses, I would think.

You would want a long set epoxy. One option is glaze coat, which you can get a lowes, its good stuff and really handy. But there are professional epoxies that might be better suited that are designed to have their set times altered by controlling the ratio of epoxy to hardener. They might be thinner and better absorbed, too, glaze coat itsnt really designed to be used with cloth like that. Marine epoxies are supposed to be good.

I was thinking of doing something similar at one point. I ended up on a model RC plane forum. Those guys know alot about epoxies and using them with cloth to build structures, since thats how some of them make their planes. I dotn know if it thats specialized subset of model plane building or not, but I didnt have trouble running across it on the internet, if you're inclined to look. There was alot of info there--almost too much, in fact. It would have taken me a few hours reading to catch up and understand what they were talking about, and I really didnt feel like doing that at the time.

I guess what i was thinking is soak the one inch in resin and really work it in there...then press. Once you soak and press it would slim down do the roughly 3/16 end product i was aiming for and it would be pretty solid. then some shaping and then epoxy coat.

soaking thinner sheets then pressing together makes a bit more sense...i really have no idea what i'm doing here

Really the issue with this type of material is how successful you are wetting the substrate. The commonly accepted method is to vacuum bag the soaked fabric using a slow set epoxy. One might investigate the common "sweater bags" and place several layers of wet material remove the air and let it cure overnight. Air pressure works in this instance to apply pressure in all directions whereas pressing or crushing would require some type of die. What results should be a "plank" of felt fully soaked which could be cut to size, sanded, and finished into scales. The felt is an intriguing material as it can easily be manufactured from woolen yarn most any color or combinations.

A couple 'C' clamps and some 2x4" scrap and you have a press.
The larger the bit you are trying to work with the more clamps.

You should be able to find a lot of info on the net. The key
is that the resin is not all that strong but the fabric can be.
Layers of silk ribbon and cotton/linen this and that can be combined
in many ways.

Hmmm. I think I need to make a Tie-dye razor.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

A couple 'C' clamps and some 2x4" scrap and you have a press.
The larger the bit you are trying to work with the more clamps.

You should be able to find a lot of info on the net. The key
is that the resin is not all that strong but the fabric can be.
Layers of silk ribbon and cotton/linen this and that can be combined
in many ways.

Hmmm. I think I need to make a Tie-dye razor.

Sounds perfect for the fabled chronik blade

Another bit of advice; use wax paper. Nothing like checking to see how your micarta has set up only to realize that it is permanently bonded to your press.

If you clamp it isn't it going to bond with the clamp?

Originally Posted by straightrazorheaven

If you clamp it isn't it going to bond with the clamp?

That is why Theseus wisely recommended wax paper