Tufnol vs GRP. Have you tried?

[Spanjaard]

So let's see if a get it right:

• I make a mould of ply, i.e. 500mm x 500mm x 6mm = 1.500.000mm3 = 1.5 litres - approx £20
• I get it lined with adhesive and plastic film - £5
• I spray the surface with mould release agent spray - £10.71
• I mix pigment (£5) with 1.5 litres of polyester resin including catalyst - £15 in a mixing cup £0.28
• Lay combi mat £2.50 on mould
• Pour mix into mould and let it set

Total, less than £60 for a sheet of 500mm x 500mm x 6mm VS same dimensions made by GFP engineering that would cost me £242

Did I got it right?????????

How can it be such a difference?

£182 difference per quarter of square meter???

 

[Spanjaard]

Definitely I'm gonna give it a go even if I get it wrong a few times.

 

[Spanjaard]

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

Now I understand what do you meant by "I'd DIY".

Thanks.

 

[rogerthebodger]

You can simply lay up the required thickness on a piece of flat glass over size and once cured cut to required size

 

[DinghyMan]

Or you could just buy G10 / FR4 ready made for not much different from your calc above: Epoxy 4W/EP Sheet 500 x 500 x 6mm = £60.43 ex. VAT

I never understand why people are obsessed by Tufnol, it was great 40 years ago but there are much better modern materials available these days

Personally I'd DIY as its a really useful skill to have, and you will find plenty of projects to use the new skills once you have had a go

 

[Daydream believer]

Lay it up on conti board or similar.

Sheet of glass is best
I bought this & covered some of it both sides with 300 grm mat cloth & West epoxy. This was to make 4 wind vanes for 2 Aries self steering sets. 2 for my friends who have just done the ARC & 2 for myself. Each 1080 * 250. The result was a nice light rigid panel. Clearly it was not cheap but I have loads of the cloth left over from when I sheaved my Stella & I had to buy a couple of litres of West resin which I used to make a spare oar for my gear. So I did not have to go out & buy extra material. 2 of the vanes were gifts to my mate so I do not count that cost anyway.
If I had tried to make from solid GRP the cost would have been prohibitive & would have been heavy. For thicker panels I could have used thicker foam. I could have used normal resin to save money & a lighter cloth if buying for the project. But it is what I had.

Easy Composites Ltd
PVC75-1-5 5mm EasyCell75 Closed Cell PVC Foam 1085mm x 1020mm
£16.71Subtotal £16.71Shipping £5.90VAT £4.52Total £27.13
Hope that does not break forum rules posting info. I have no connection - Just trying to help others.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Sheet of glass is best

For a perfect finish yes. Depends what you’re making.

 

[bluerm166]

East Coast Fibreglass used to supply flat sheet in 2mm + and I laminated these together easily with resin to make thick strips after abrading one surface .They were good value with an excellent finish.Maybe they can still do although not now listed and there might well be a margin.

 

[The Q]

Wow, I think I'll look after my stocks of Tufnol better, I used to get in Saudi very cheaply and have quite a lot kicking around.
Currently there's some doing service as bearing surfaces in my little sailing boat, and there's some blocks I made.