DIY Lightweight Composite Cab Build

[JimChjones]

Hey, what up Dan! If I build again I'd definitely mount my corner protectors differently.

If I wasn't too bothered about the time it would take I'd consider giving the corners a Kevlar heavy laminate and/or bonding on prefabricated Kevlar corner plates. It would save on having to rely on mechanical fastenings. Aesthetics comes into it as well though, and yours sure is nicely finished. I suppose if aesthetics were less of a consideration I might consider having carbon black in the resin and a peel ply finish surface to save another ounce...

 

[zac2944]

If I wasn't too bothered about the time it would take I'd consider giving the corners a Kevlar heavy laminate and/or bonding on prefabricated Kevlar corner plates. It would save on having to rely on mechanical fastenings. Aesthetics comes into it as well though, and yours sure is nicely finished. I suppose if aesthetics were less of a consideration I might consider having carbon black in the resin and a peel ply finish surface to save another ounce...

All great ideas. Ive thought about molded in corner protectors that use Kevlar for the outer layer. Would make a super tough cab. Especially with a durable outer coating. The white duratex I used for my 1x12 cabs chips like crazy. Definitely need something better next time. A few epoxy fill coats would probably be better.

 

[jlepre]

@zac2944 Thanks for the trip down memory lane my friend. Wow 10 years already. How can that be?

 

[zac2944]

@zac2944 Thanks for the trip down memory lane my friend. Wow 10 years already. How can that be?

Same for me too.

This and the recent kappalite coax thread (Kappalite coaxials!!) has me dreaming of a new composite build. Maybe this summer. Can't do epoxy in my unheated garage this time of year.

 

[JimChjones]

A few epoxy fill coats would probably be better.

High end sailboat foils tend to be finished in flow coated pigmented epoxy.

Can't do epoxy in my unheated garage this time of year.

A fan heater and a plastic sheet tent just big enough to cover the work in hand works for me, but I suspect my winters and yours are more than a little different.

 

[Passinwind]

High end sailboat foils tend to be finished in flow coated pigmented epoxy.

Have you gone down that rabbit hole, by any chance? I have a couple of local friends who are doing kitesurfing and windsurfing foils commercially. Love the whole direction the America's Cup has gone in the last few cycles as well.

 

[jlepre]

Same for me too.

This and the recent kappalite coax thread (Kappalite coaxials!!) has me dreaming of a new composite build. Maybe this summer. Can't do epoxy in my unheated garage this time of year.

Hey did you ever make that new composite cab?

 

[zac2944]

Hey did you ever make that new composite cab?

Nope. Not gigging much these days and I'm still pretty content with the cabs I already have. Some day though. I'll post it here if I do.