Tufnol vs GRP. Have you tried?

[Spanjaard]

I've got in mind to replace some bits and bobs on the boat worn out and that require attention, like the cockpit hatches covers/seats, cockpit doors, external frames and cover for lazarette etc.

At present, some of them are made of timber, some are made of GRP which has lost its shape due to its age and the elements.

Have any of you installed tufnol elements, other than blocks/winches, instead of GRP?

What are the pros/cons of tufnol material vs GRP?

Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[KevinV]

I love tufnol as a material, but it is unbelievably expensive!

 

[Spanjaard]

GRP, since covid, has multiplied by 3. No precisely cheap either.

Tufnol:

590mm x 285mm x 12mm = £162​

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/plastic-sheets/0374430?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-bing-_-PLA_UK_EN_Catch+All-_-Mechanical,+Fluid+Power+&+Tools-_-374430&matchtype=e&pla-4574999185500285&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=554644865&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=s&cq_plt=gp&gclsrc=ds

GRP:

500mm x 500mm x 6 mm = £242
Buy 2mm, 3mm, 4mm and 6mm GRP Sheet - GFP Engineering - Made in UK since 1968


In fact, per volume, GRP appears to be far more expensive

 

[KevinV]

GRP, since covid, has multiplied by 3. No precisely cheap either.

Tufnol:

590mm x 285mm x 12mm = £162​

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/plastic-sheets/0374430?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-bing-_-PLA_UK_EN_Catch+All-_-Mechanical,+Fluid+Power+&+Tools-_-374430&matchtype=e&pla-4574999185500285&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=554644865&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=s&cq_plt=gp&gclsrc=ds

GRP:

500mm x 500mm x 6 mm = £242
Buy 2mm, 3mm, 4mm and 6mm GRP Sheet - GFP Engineering - Made in UK since 1968


In fact, per volume, GRP appears to be far more expensive

Wow, I had no idea!

 

[DinghyMan]

Depends on grade required:

Tufnol IP13 Sheet 600 x 300 x 12mm £51.05
Tufnol Kite Sheet 600 x 300 x 12mm £66.71
Tufnol Whale Sheet 600 x 300 x 12mm £120.31
Tufnol 10g/40 Sheet 600 x 300 x 12mm £343.13
From: Direct Plastics

Most plastics are 2.5 to 3+ times what they were 3 years ago, steels are similar, stainless worse, and aluminium way worse

 

[Daydream believer]

There are options to Tufnol. I have used Direct Plastics, suggested above, quite a few times. Their site gives uses for different sheet material which can help. You could use RG 1000 sheet- I have bought quite a few sheets for all sorts of jobs up to 25mm th & milled shapes from it.
Polycarbonate is cheaper than some forms of tufnol.
You may be able to go elsewhere & find a supplier of Trespa.. I have a number of large sheets & have made all sorts of stuff from it including the central wheel boss for a friends Aeries which they have just used for the ARC.

 

[Spanjaard]

Depends on grade required:

Tufnol IP13 Sheet 600 x 300 x 12mm £51.05
Tufnol Kite Sheet 600 x 300 x 12mm £66.71
Tufnol Whale Sheet 600 x 300 x 12mm £120.31
Tufnol 10g/40 Sheet 600 x 300 x 12mm £343.13
From: Direct Plastics

Most plastics are 2.5 to 3+ times what they were 3 years ago, steels are similar, stainless worse, and aluminium way worse

Grade requirements... is about strength, hardness?

 

[Spanjaard]

There are options to Tufnol. I have used Direct Plastics, suggested above, quite a few times. Their site gives uses for different sheet material which can help. You could use RG 1000 sheet- I have bought quite a few sheets for all sorts of jobs up to 25mm th & milled shapes from it.
Polycarbonate is cheaper than some forms of tufnol.
You may be able to go elsewhere & find a supplier of Trespa.. I have a number of large sheets & have made all sorts of stuff from it including the central wheel boss for a friends Aeries which they have just used for the ARC.

I would like to know, can you cut it with jig saw as GRP? Drill on it? Screw on it?

To make all sort stuff, do you mean that you send a template to the supplier and they produce it (i.e. a tiller)?

 

[DinghyMan]

Tufnols can be easily worked with hand or power tools - but it can be horrible dusty stuff

For threading its best to use brass or stainless inserts - see

Brass Threaded Inserts | Tappex Threaded Inserts
and
The Insert Company (UK) Ltd - Specialists in Zinc, Steel and Brass Threaded Inserts for Wood and Plastic.

RG100 mentioned above is OK, but like all UHMWPE's it can creep under load and is almost impossible to glue

There are companies that will cut Tufnol to shape for you, e.g. laser cutting Tufnol® - HLT Shearline but costs can be an issue

 

[Stemar]

GRP, since covid, has multiplied by 3. No precisely cheap either.

Tufnol:

590mm x 285mm x 12mm = £162​

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/plastic-sheets/0374430?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-bing-_-PLA_UK_EN_Catch+All-_-Mechanical,+Fluid+Power+&+Tools-_-374430&matchtype=e&pla-4574999185500285&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=554644865&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=s&cq_plt=gp&gclsrc=ds

GRP:

500mm x 500mm x 6 mm = £242
Buy 2mm, 3mm, 4mm and 6mm GRP Sheet - GFP Engineering - Made in UK since 1968


In fact, per volume, GRP appears to be far more expensive

Wow! At that price, I'd DIY. It really isn't difficult.

 

[Daydream believer]

I would like to know, can you cut it with jig saw as GRP? Drill on it? Screw on it?

To make all sort stuff, do you mean that you send a template to the supplier and they produce it (i.e. a tiller)?

I cut trespa with a jig saw or bandsaw. I used to cut it on my dimension saw when I used to work it in my business. I used to use it for panels in the entrance doors to local authority flats round London. I often mill it & turn it on my lathe. I have not tried yet but I am going to cut 35 discs for our moorings & cut the numbers in the face with a small router. Then drill a hole in each disc to attach to the buoy ring.
One would have to buy a sheet of a suitable size. Last time I bought it was to clad a stairwell at Billericay school & I cannot recall the supplier. A firm I was working for damaged some fascias & had to replace them, so I grabbed those as well. As a result I have not bought any for years.
Being 12 mm th you would not use it for a tillerRG1000 can be cut with a jig saw althouth I use my band saw. One can machine it with a router. Just needs some experimentation on cut depth & speed etc. as the edge of the cut can fray a bit. But that can be trimmed with a sharp knife.

 

[peterhull]

I've got in mind to replace some bits and bobs on the boat worn out and that require attention, like the cockpit hatches covers/seats, cockpit doors, external frames and cover for lazarette etc.

At present, some of them are made of timber, some are made of GRP which has lost its shape due to its age and the elements.

Have any of you installed tufnol elements, other than blocks/winches, instead of GRP?

What are the pros/cons of tufnol material vs GRP?

Any advise would be appreciated.

I don't think it's a question of GRP v tufnol. They both have strengths and weaknesses.
Use GRP for strength . Tufnol is a good bearing material , so use it for slides.
I actually converted a hinged companion hatch to sliding. I created a composite sandwich to trap the sides and added tufnol on the upper and lower surfaces. Very pleased with the results but very time consuming.

 

[Daydream believer]

I don't think it's a question of GRP v tufnol. They both have strengths and weaknesses.
Use GRP for strength . Tufnol is a good bearing material , so use it for slides.
I actually converted a hinged companion hatch to sliding. I created a composite sandwich to trap the sides and added tufnol on the upper and lower surfaces. Very pleased with the results but very time consuming.

When the slides for my hatch wore & started to snap I purchased a long length of nylon rod. I cut it down the centre on my bandsaw & drilled the holes for the screws.
It has made nice runners

 

[prestomg27]

GRP, since covid, has multiplied by 3. No precisely cheap either.

Tufnol:

590mm x 285mm x 12mm = £162​

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/plastic-sheets/0374430?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-bing-_-PLA_UK_EN_Catch+All-_-Mechanical,+Fluid+Power+&+Tools-_-374430&matchtype=e&pla-4574999185500285&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=554644865&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=s&cq_plt=gp&gclsrc=ds

GRP:

500mm x 500mm x 6 mm = £242
Buy 2mm, 3mm, 4mm and 6mm GRP Sheet - GFP Engineering - Made in UK since 1968


In fact, per volume, GRP appears to be far more expensive

You could make 6mm sheet grp using polyester resin for a fraction of that yourself.

 

[Spanjaard]

Wow! At that price, I'd DIY. It really isn't difficult.

Well, I have to DIY with some materials.

Cheapest would be to DIY with my imagination. But nothing would get done.

 

[Spanjaard]

You could make 6mm sheet grp using polyester resin for a fraction of that yourself.

How the hell do I do that? I am going to check youtube...

 

[Chiara’s slave]

How the hell do I do that? I am going to check youtube...

Lay it up on conti board or similar.

 

[prestomg27]

How the hell do I do that? I am going to check youtube...

Buy some csm and combi mat from east coast supplies along with a pot of polyeaster.
Lay it up on a piece of acrylic or plastic film. You could even gel coat it to desired colour. Layup until thick enough. Jobs a carrot.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Buy some csm and combi mat from east coast supplies along with a pot of polyeaster.
Lay it up on a piece of acrylic or plastic film. You could even gel coat it to desired colour. Layup until thick enough. Jobs a carrot.

Laying up flat GRP can also be done using a sheet of glass covered with mold release agent

 

[Spanjaard]

Guys, can you refer to any videos of how to actually do it?

Do I have to have a mould? How do you make all sheets, exactly same dimensions and thickness?

Sounds easier that done.