Where to buy GRP sheet/Offcuts?

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C08

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I want to replace some backing pads and plan to bond GRP sheet 10/12mm thick with epoxy. There is lots of GRP stuff on ebay but it is all very thin or in full sheets and expensive. Just looking for a few bits say 8x10 inches maybe 2ftx1ft total area. GRP sheet manufacturers I have asked are not interested in selling small pieces just full sheets. Any ideas where I may buy these, a GRP fabricator/boatyard etc? To anticipate the inevitable suggestion, I do not wish to use ply.
 
pvb said:
I'd use 5mm or 6mm aluminium sheet.
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Aluminium is a thought but it is quite expensive-a 10""x5" can be about £10 and I would be more comfortable bonding in GRP. The hull bits I wish to bond to are a bit on the thin side so I wish to make a strong job of it. I did have a number of GRP pieces from a boatyard skip where they were cutting out windows on a new hull but I have now used all of these up. I am sure I can get some just the problem of sourcing the stuff.
 
Google 'industrial plastics machining' and you may be able to pick up offcuts of Tufnol, Bakealite or something like that from one of the vendors. I used offcuts from modern tongue and groove oak floor boards at 20mm thick cut to size for some backing pads, very hard, no crushing when the nuts were tightened.
 
As a slight side issue I had some alloy backing plates fixed in by a professional and he used something he called bonding paste, can anyone tell me what that is / how to make it ?

Boo2
 
Plastic chopping boards: easy to source.
They're usually polyethylene, LDPE or HDPE. I imagine plastics suppliers can supply cheaper.
If bonding them to the hull GRP is crucial: you can't, but they could be laminated in as a sandwich.
 
C08 said:
I want to replace some backing pads and plan to bond GRP sheet 10/12mm thick with epoxy. There is lots of GRP stuff on ebay but it is all very thin or in full sheets and expensive. Just looking for a few bits say 8x10 inches maybe 2ftx1ft total area. GRP sheet manufacturers I have asked are not interested in selling small pieces just full sheets. Any ideas where I may buy these, a GRP fabricator/boatyard etc? To anticipate the inevitable suggestion, I do not wish to use ply.
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I can make you some if you get desperate - cost price plus a 'drink'. (Mid Devon near Tiverton).
 
Boo2 said:
As a slight side issue I had some alloy backing plates fixed in by a professional and he used something he called bonding paste, can anyone tell me what that is / how to make it ?

Boo2
Click to expand...

Probably resin and talcum powder or similar filler.
 
I have used bits cut out from the decks of dinghies when hatches have been fitted, the coachroof of a yacht where some windows were added....
Also for light jobs you can get offcuts of glass/epoxy pcb material.
 
Buy one or more 600² grp panel from East Coast Fibreglass and use the resin you have to laminate to the thickness you want.
Conversely laminate marine ply pads to the thickness you desire and bed them in Sikaflex 292 structural adhesive (good price from Seascrew) which has a powerful instant grab and is considerably easier to use overhead/in tight spaces than resin.
 
bluerm166 said:
Buy one or more 600² grp panel from East Coast Fibreglass and use the resin you have to laminate to the thickness you want.
Conversely laminate marine ply pads to the thickness you desire and bed them in Sikaflex 292 structural adhesive (good price from Seascrew) which has a powerful instant grab and is considerably easier to use overhead/in tight spaces than resin.
Click to expand...

The OP said he didn't want to use ply!
 
macd said:
Plastic chopping boards: easy to source.
They're usually polyethylene, LDPE or HDPE. I imagine plastics suppliers can supply cheaper.
If bonding them to the hull GRP is crucial: you can't, but they could be laminated in as a sandwich.
Click to expand...

+1

I've bought HDPE sheet offcuts on eBay and made 20mm packers for my new (plastic) seacocks. Many thicknesses and sizes available for reasonable moneys.
 
Hi
Thanks for suggestions and kind offer. I will make myself a 2.5ft square GRP sheet and have enough backing pad to last (my) lifetime. I amazingly found 2x2.5L tins of Polyester resin in the garage, just need a wad of matting and some catalyst and then laminate away!
 
Is there any commercial fishing boat builders near you?
If so pay them a visit as they will have scrap hatch cover cutouts.
I've used these in the past.
 
can I repeat the warning that HDPE and LDPE will not bond anywhere near well enough to GRP via a bonding agent ? It is a very slippery product, and excellent when heat or diathermy welded.

Great as a backing plate but does have a tendency to 'creep' under pressure, so backing nuts will need to be checked after installation and from time to time.

I have a standing order with our two local charity shops for them to put aside any plastic chopping boards which are not good enough to sell. 50p each for e.g. 10" by 12" by 10mm thick, with knife marks. ( Sorry for mixing metaphors )
 
sarabande said:
can I repeat the warning that HDPE and LDPE will not bond anywhere near well enough to GRP via a bonding agent ? It is a very slippery product, and excellent when heat or diathermy welded.

Great as a backing plate but does have a tendency to 'creep' under pressure, so backing nuts will need to be checked after installation and from time to time.

I have a standing order with our two local charity shops for them to put aside any plastic chopping boards which are not good enough to sell. 50p each for e.g. 10" by 12" by 10mm thick, with knife marks. ( Sorry for mixing metaphors )
Click to expand...

I thought I had been really inventive when I started using white chopping boards to make mounting boards and backing on the boat, main attraction was that they were strong, durable and do not need painting, they take self tappers well when mounting though bolts are obviously stronger if there is any load, the motor drive for the autopilot sits on one. I buy them in Ikea for a few pence then swap with the used one from the kitchen, if I need a big one I get it in Sainsburys but they are a bit more expensive.
 
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