My first vacuum bagging: results

[chemsurfer]

Here's a pic of my first Vacuum Bagged wing. I made this to replace a wing I did using Minwax polycrylic with glass. There are more details about the original build in this thread. (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172018) There are a few pics of the bagging, and details about the layup in this other thread. (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222701)

AUW for this glider was 13.8 oz. with the Polycrylic layup, and is now 16.7 oz. I was not going for lighter with the vacuum bagging this time. I had originally wanted to see how this would work as a hand launch and light wind sloper, but it is really more successful as a sloper in general. (I haven't really done hand launch so I wasn't expecting much in that dept.) When I decided to replace the wing as a first vacuum bagging experiment, I wanted to go for stiffness. The polycrylic layup was rather flexible, and after a few hand launch test flights, I think this will have better energy retention etc. now.

Just too bad that forces beyond my control are keeping me from the slope today. :(

Overall I am really happy with my results, and I see where I would do a few things differently. I also have to say that the Phil Barnes DVD's were an awesome resource. I approached this first try as a learning experience, and got a decent wing out of it to boot.

Brad

[ashdec87]

very nice job

[combatflier]

I would eventually like to attempt to vacuum bag a wing, Not yet however, as im working on another project at the moment. However, I was wondering if you had any resources that helped you along the way or if a local helped you out.

I think the wing came out spectacular (from the pictures), very nice job!

[chemsurfer]

ashdec87: Thanks!

combatflier: Most of the resources I found on vacuum bagging were through this board, but what really made it easy to just go for it was Phil Barnes video "Vacuum Bagging Made Easy". There are also a number of web pages I referred to as well, many I found here or through Google.

Brad

[combatflier]

thanks Brad :). Are you planning on making more wings? for friends and such? I bet you could make some money at your local club if they all come out that good ;)

[chemsurfer]

thanks Brad :). Are you planning on making more wings? for friends and such? I bet you could make some money at your local club if they all come out that good ;)

If only I had that kind of time.... and space. My wife was really awesome to put up with me bagging a wing on our dining table (not that we ever really eat there, but still.) I doubt she would be so understanding if I went into production mode :eek:

Brad

[combatflier]

lol, I gotcha. Well, I guess those few occasional times are ok, and thats always good :)

[davidfee]

Brad, it looks great! You definitely got better results than I did my first time. :)

-David

[chemsurfer]

Brad, it looks great! You definitely got better results than I did my first time. :)

-David


You deserve some credit there, I referred to your web page quite a bit in learning the process.

Brad

[SchiessCo]

That really looks nice Brad. Now you need to lay up a nice Kevlar pod to replace the balsa. ;)

Pete

[chemsurfer]

That really looks nice Brad. Now you need to lay up a nice Kevlar pod to replace the balsa. ;)

Pete


Definitely! One of the next projects I am thinking about is making my own composite fuselage. It will go nicely with my second set of bagged wings, which will include kevlar hinges, and perhaps some unidirectional carbon. I didn't want to make this first set out of any expensive reinforcements in case I totally botched them.

Brad

[NJSoaring]

Has anyone ever tried using an item like this> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3952
for a vacuum pump?

[chemsurfer]

Has anyone ever tried using an item like this> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3952
for a vacuum pump?

I don't know anyone that has. It would work fine, however, venturi pumps like that one use a lot of compressed air to work. So you would also need a pretty sizeable air compressor to use it.

Brad