So, the next debate is.. do I want to purchase a Fiberglass shell, or a Resin Shell? I’m thinking from a materials standpoint that the Fiberglass is going to be lighter weight, easier to work with and probably more durable. Then again I’ve not really worked much with resin so I dont know its properties as well as I do fiberglass. Which is easier to drill, sand, repair, modify..etc.
The answer to my question may lay in my question in that I am more familiar with Fiberglass than resin, so it probably makes more sense to see if I can purcahse a Fiberglass shell. But there may be things I dont know about Resin that make it preferable to fiberglass.
What does everyone think about this? I’m very interested to hear all the expert feedback on Fiberglass, vs Resin or even Vacuformed plastics. (and that begs the question between ABS and Styrene)
First off you need to get the terminology right, this forum is loaded with a mash of improper use of the common wording used in this hobby…
Fiberglass is resin combined with glass fibers… Usually a polyester or epoxy based resin…
Casting resin is usually urethane based, but there are others like epoxy based ones as well…
A fiberglass shell is a resin shell…
With that said…
A fiberglass shell is the way to go it’s superior in every respect…
Vacuum formed shells ALL suffer from soft rounded edges, it just part of the technique and they almost alway need support as the shells are generally flimsy…
As for a shell made from casting resin without fiber support, like a slush cast this has no advantage and will result in a more brittle shell more prone to breaking apart from impact and stress… They do make resins designed for this purpose but theses resins don’t really stand up to fiber supported resins…
I think that about covers it. Thanks Exoray for the lesson. You’re right. It’s been a few years since I have worked with composites. I was not thinking about the Resin cast parts as a Urethane, but that makes complete sense. I wonder if I could find someone to make me a pack out of Carbon Fiber instead of Fiberglass. I suppose for the purpose it doesnt really matter, its not like I’m building a spacecraft or anything.
But, can you imagine how cool a Carbon Fiber proton pack would look? If the resin was all glossy and you could see the black fibers all woven for certain parts? I guess thats not operational, but it would look like a kick ass housing for what obviously is some major nuclear stuff going on underneath.
