Selfmade fiberglass fins

[daweasel]

@landshark sa thank you very much for all those details !
It seems I will have to make quite many try to get a pair of fins that works for me, so let's get working !

 

[landshark sa]

Hello! I am currently making carbon fiber/fiberglass fins for a project at school. Do you guys know where to get the rubber rails for the side of the fins? In addition, any information you guys can give about tapering the fin would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Neptonic Systems also sells fin rails online: http://www.neptonicsystems.com/fin-rails.php

If you don't come right with those also have look at automotive rubber trim. Some companies stock some really interesting rubber mouldings.

 

[landshark sa]

@landshark sa thank you very much for all those details !
It seems I will have to make quite many try to get a pair of fins that works for me, so let's get working !

You're welcome!

Enjoy the learning process. It's lots of fun and hugely rewarding plus its feels like its my birthday every time I de-mould a new part

 

[daweasel]

@landshark sa yeah I can almost feel it, I'm so excited by this project !

I had another question, what are the possibilities for cutting the fin to right dimensions/shape ? Is it easier to cut it right before the lamination and to just finish it after ? Or should I laminate a rectangular shape and then cut it (which does not seem easy) ?

 

[daweasel]

also have look at automotive rubber trim

I did not think about that but it's a great idea, I'll look into it.

 

[landshark sa]

@landshark sa yeah I can almost feel it, I'm so excited by this project !

I had another question, what are the possibilities for cutting the fin to right dimensions/shape ? Is it easier to cut it right before the lamination and to just finish it after ? Or should I laminate a rectangular shape and then cut it (which does not seem easy) ?

It depends on how complex your layup and what weight and type fabric you work with, for example unidirectional fabrics are easier to handle and cut than weaved but I don't think that you'll be able to get away from cutting the cured laminate.

If you are making bi-fins you also want to consider symmetry, both fins should have exactly the same layup and dimensions. Trying to cut and layup multiple layers of fabric to be exactly the same may prove to be difficult.

If you use a tool like a jigsaw or Dremmel cutting the cured laminate is actually very easy, just make sure you use a mask or respirator as the dust is hazardous.

 

[daweasel]

Ok, seems like I won't avoid the respirator and putting dust in every corner !
Do you know if cutting cured laminate with metal hand shears like those (http://www.lighttoolsupply.com/cata...l-Master-Shears?productID=6825&categoryID=125) can do the trick ?

 

[landshark sa]

Ok, seems like I won't avoid the respirator and putting dust in every corner !

I rig up a vacuum cleaner while cutting to get rid of most of the dust.

Do you know if cutting cured laminate with metal hand shears like those (http://www.lighttoolsupply.com/cata...l-Master-Shears?productID=6825&categoryID=125) can do the trick ?

Those seem like pretty heavy duty shears so I don't think they will initially have a problem cutting through the laminate.

The problem however is fibreglass, carbon and especially aramid laminations are very abrasive so you will find that the the shears will dull extremely quickly. So what will happen is once its blunt you will able to produce enough force to split the laminate but it will essentially be breaking the fibres and the resin matrix thus creating delamination on the edges of the fin which will lead to water ingress and ultimate fin failure.

Because of the abrasive nature I use tungsten carbide jigsaw blades and cutting wheels which last a bit longer standard cutting edges.

 

[daweasel]

@landshark sa Thanks for your insight, I will probably try the hand shears and see how it goes. I heard about the highly abrasive nature of carbon but thought fiberglass wuld not be that hard to cut. Anyway, I'll try and see !

 

[yohannyo]

Hi all,

This is a amazing thread thanks all for all this info.
So i am also planing to make my own Fins out of Fiber. Does someone know how to integrated a camo design in the fiber glass? Does printing a design on a normal paper sheet and put it in between layers would work?

 

[bluedvr]

• Following the thread for a few years, I finally decided to make my own using a few layers of 5.6oz 2x2 cloth. There’s a couple of numbers that keep appearing when measuring fin thickness .030 inches at tip and .070 inches at foot pocket. So this is what I tried to achieve.
• I have also found that maintaining a proper seal on parts to be infused the most important aspect of this process. But once seal is achieved smooth sailing.
• I made a blank of carbon fiber and cut my fins out using an abrasive jigsaw which worked like a charm.

 

[bluedvr]

Thanks to all those people who provided input which was the most valuable part of the process.

 

[bluedvr]

Hi all,

This is a amazing thread thanks all for all this info.
So i am also planing to make my own Fins out of Fiber. Does someone know how to integrated a camo design in the fiber glass? Does printing a design on a normal paper sheet and put it in between layers would work?

 

[bluedvr]

How about using camo printed on nylon so that it can absorb some epoxy, I think the paper will foul the layup.

 

[Bobsy]

Hello all, my name is Jacob and I've read this thread over the past month or two when I get time.
My father and I have decided to begin our venture of creating fibreglass fins at home also, we are currently in the process of selecting our fibreglass and epoxy while discussing different forms of mould and vacuum pump.
We think we are going to begin much like Zmagoj did by using an old refrigerator pump.
I would like to thank everyone here for posting and making such insightful and helpful comments on the topic, thank you so much.

I'll keep you posted,
Jacob.