3D Demystifying Vacuum Bagging of foam wings!!

[IMAC FANATIC]

NICE, but I have to say........This post is useless without pics!

If you have some, post 'em, that's a killer idea.

Grrr, those pics are no longer on my phone and were on my laptop that got taken in the burglary, guess if I HAVE to I can post a link from the place that shall not be named.

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

Also backing up slightly to truing the edges of sheeting. Table saw clamp style jigs work well, I use a wide belt sander so I can do 50-60 sheets at one time and be done in about 4 minutes. This is the ideal way if you have any access at all to a sander, if not I recommend the table saw method. Worst case, the ol' straight edge and elbow grease. Anyone have methods on this please feel free to post so others can learn!!

Nope. You covered them all. Atleast all that I know of, outside of using a long straight edge and a hobby knife.....

 

[tylerzx9r]

Couldn't we rig up something to use a shop vac as an alternate low pressure source to suck out the bulk of the air and then turn on the little system?

An option instead of a wet dry vac...... how about a refrigerator vacuum pump for a/c?

 

[Terryscustom]

Grrr, those pics are no longer on my phone and were on my laptop that got taken in the burglary, guess if I HAVE to I can post a link from the place that shall not be named.

Tried to send you a PM but could not (need to turn them on HERE). You could always just go there and save the pics and re-post them here, that would be cool!

 

[Terryscustom]

An option instead of a wet dry vac...... how about a refrigerator vacuum pump for a/c?

You would not be able to use a shop vac for the actual vacuum bagging process, but it would suck a ton of air to help evacuate the bag quickly and then let that little EZ Vac system (or regular vacuum system) take over as the actual vacuum process. I read somewhere that a guy made a bagging system from a refrigerator compressor though. Sounds like a cool project, let us know how that works for you

OK, back to business. Thought I'd show a couple more pics and small tips for getting the sheeting cut to size. For really odd parts (like a belly pan and for flat parts like wings, stabs and rudder) you can put the taped up balsa in the shuck with the part and trace around it that way. For really tight curves you can mist the balsa slightly to keep it from cracking. Don't soak it, just mist it and give it a minute to soak in. Then carefully put the part in the shuck, trace and cut out. All of these parts I am leaving about 1/16" - 3/32" hang outside the shucks. You can go up to about 1/8" on the ends if you need to. If you leave too much, the vacuum bag will bend it over and suck it flat to the outside of the foam. If that happens it's not a huge deal, just sand it flush, but it is a bit of a PITA so easier to take your time cutting the sheets to size.

 

[Daytonarc]

Thanks for the great info here Terry.

 

[Terryscustom]

You bet! I'll be bagging most of my parts tomorrow and will shoot a couple of better vids of the actual resin and bag process (and with a better camera now that we did a test run).

Will get those up tomorrow night when I get home, but will post some pics through the day.

 

[BalsaDust]

Learning a lot keep it up Professor.

 

[Props]

Thank you Terry. I appreciate your reply to my questions and for starting this amazing thread.

 

[Flyrcjoe]

This is been some great information to learn from you. It looks much easier than the way I have been doing it. I am excited to get on board and try it with my next project.