Instrument Back panel - Fibre Glass????

[woody001]

I have installed 3 Nasa instruments into my bulkhead and wish to create a neat box to screw into the back of the bulkhead to hide all the wiring and protect the instruments from water splashing up from the cockpit!

I basically need to create a black box which I can screw in to the bulkhead to cover the back of the instruments.

How should i make this??

The ideal solutions would be to use plastic and a vacuum machine, however i dont have one.
So how do i create such a box with fiberglass?
any one done this before? I am a total fiberglass vigin.....but it will be worth me learning.

So I could create a mold and fibre glass around the mold, but how on earth do i get it look smooooth???????
Does anyone know if there are any online guides?

Hope you can help


cheers

simon

 

[bruce]

try plastic or alum cooking pans to make cover with/out of.

 

[Simes]

Hi Simon,

Whilst I have not done this job I have done a lot of work with GRP using Epoxy Resin. The best place I have found for help and advice is "Blue Gee" in Poole. They have a great web site at bluegee.co.uk the help section is very good.
Their prices are good and they are friendly and full of knowledge.

Hope you succeed,

Simon

 

[steve_cronin]

Maplins sell all sorts of black plastic "project" boxes. Since they all come with integral brass threaded bosses or captive nuts it should be easy to fit one of these nearly over the back of your instruments. They also sell' loose' waterproof glands to allow cable entries to be protected.

Now for real performance look at the Index Marine catalogue. Most of theirs also have sealing gaskets or "O" rings.

Steve Cronin

 

[pandroid]

I did this for my contessa. I built a mould out of a bit of contiboard (as a back/base) with wood strips round the edge for the sides. The rounded corners can be wood mouldings from Homebase or car body filler.

Dont forget that the fibreglass is a few mils thick so if inside dimensions are important measure carefully.

Wax the mould with mould release wax and then build it in the usual way (gel coat first of course). Its a good idea to use rollers to press the stuff down. Ordinary chopped mat will do but 'cloth' makes a thinner set up.

Its dead easy, but you do need to keep the stuff off yourself. There are books/pamphlets on how to do it. In addition to the one already mentioned you can get info and stuff here

The good thing is that its cheap enough, if you screw it up you just have another go!

 

[Talbot]

you could easily make this from perspex, and would look good in smoked , plus much easier to manufacture.

 

[William_H]

If you want to try in fibreglass (and most of the other suggestions would be easier)
consider checking hardware store, homeware store or supermarket for storage boxs that have the dimesions you want. Lay up the f/g inside then pop it out or destroy the plastic container. Most cheap plastics are really easy to get the resin to release from. Yes I would recommend you have a go with F/g even if not for your particular box at the back of the instruments. will

 

[Stemar]

One thing to remember is that the resins can cause unpleasant allergic reactions. Do wear gloves when you're using it.

 

[Mudplugger]

Woody,
Option 1,.... Local garden centre, Trough like flower pot, price prob about a £5... normally come in green or black,Trim to fit, screw to b/head mount (strips of timber) & spray paint required colour.
Option 2, use as mould for making up f/glass pod, polish well, spray with release agent & do the rest! HTH

 

[woody001]

Hi everyone,

Thankyou all for you knowlege - what would i do with out you lot?
This weekend i will be taking all of your views and i'll take some pics of what i do!!
pandroid, you reply was top notch, thankyou. Mud plugger, good idea!
everyone else, i owe u one.



thanks again everyone.

 

[pampas]

Buy a cat litter tray, comes in a variety of colours, can be cut and "Welded" with a hot soldering iron, they also make good recessed swith panels. Tip . MAKE sure the cat is out of the way.