fin blades.

[case]

just wondering if anyones had a go at making their own fin blades out of carbon fibre or fibreglass as im keen to have a go.

 

[baijxz]

Haven't been able to find any info on the subject, at least not on the internet.
But I'm very eager to have a try as well.
Afaik it's all about graduating layer thickness and minimizing the amount of resin.
More important for me would be an anatomical footpocket, also slightly more problematic to design.

 

[case]

guess its worth a try .im just gonna use my picasso foot pockets.

 

[baijxz]

Also >I remember havıng heard about some swedısh people foolıng around wıth homemade blades, but they had access to some very nıce equıpment for vacuum mouldıng.

 

[derelictp]

"Also >I remember havıng heard about some swedısh people foolıng around wıth homemade blades"

Yes, it's me.

I design the lamitation and a carbon specialist makes the advanced handwork. We have made several VERY effective blades.

If one don't have the right equipment I belive it's hard to get a good result. But it can be fun anyway, good luck!!!

I have also a footpocket prototype which is VERY good, my problem is that I do not have a partner who is specialist on working with rubber. If I had I would start to produce fins for sale because my solution makes the following advantages compared to other fins:

-Easy to get in the footpocket.
-A very good fit that makes the foot very good attached to the blade, means no powerloss.
-The footpocket is anatomic and made for a foot in swimming position.
-Custom blades.

 

[mojarra frita]

Hey there,

I do not know if this will help on making your own fin blades, I guess once you know how to work the materials you can shape it for fins or whatever you please.

Check this website and let me know what you think, very informative process on making carbon sheets.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/56999/index.html

I also understand there is a shortage of carbon fiber, but there is plenty of suppliers out there.

Good luck

 

[Lenny]

Vacum forming plastics can easily be done at home, as well as vacum layereing of fiberglass. Just google something like "DIY vacum forming" or throw in the words "composite", "fibreglass" or "carbon", should yield good results.

Anatomical custom footpockets, now there's something I would love to know how to do!

 

[mupwi]

Ive done a couple of fiberglass blades without any vacume baging they preformed beter than my omer milenium plastic blades in my omer pockets they unfortunately started delaminating after about 3 months of use I think this is due to how I laied it up and plan to vacumebag the next set I think this will solve the problem they cost about R100 per blade in meterials(+- 12$) so cheep enough to have a couple of failiers before I get them perfect

 

[octpora]

making a heat box out of foil covered insulation may help to cure the laminate as well. Build a box of the insulation with a bulb or two inside{for heat} that will fit over your vacuumed lamination and keep it warm through the curing

 

[jtkwest]

seems to me , you need a mold that you can PRESS. together, to squeeze out bubbles. i thought about trying it myself, it just seems thatthe little rail part of the blade that slides into the footpocket would be hard to make. if you just made flat blades, it would be easy to make a mold. also, i dont think you want a vacuum bag, i think you need an autoclave, ken jones,(deathstick spearguns) made on for under 1000$

 

[Tong]

I have been toying with the idea.
I found the video half way down this page quite useful
DIY carbon fibre laminating kit - Starter pack make your own carbon fibre parts - Carbon Mods