Spyder foam

[robert harik]

I want to build a SuperGee DLG and the wing plans call for Spyder foam.
I found it in the CST catalog and it is expensive.

Would the Dow construction foam work as a substitite or is it too weak?

In the CST catalog it says that Spyder foam has twice the compresive strength of square edge. What is square edge?

Thanks, Rob

[nuevo]

Spyder foam has 60 psi compression in one direction. The vertical direction, which is what matters for making wings.

Dow Hi-Load 60 is 60 psi compression in all 3 directions. X, Y, and Z. It is a lot cheaper than Spyder foam and the same density. CST's web page calls it "High Strength (Blue) Foam 2.3 lb/cu ft"

You might be able to find Dow Hi-Load 60 in your area. Contact an insulation contractor, or maybe a hardware store. Not a home-improvement store, but the old kind of hardware store. One in my area did not stock it, but they could order me 4'x8' sheets at a very reasonable price, compared to mail order.

Shipping any kind of foam will be expensive. Maybe 1/2 the price of the foam. This is because shippers charge based on weight or volume, whichever is more. Big, light weight packages take up space in planes and trucks, so they charge for them.

[robert harik]

Thanks for the info.
I have used alot of Dow blue foam in construction , but never heard of high load 60.
What would you use that type of foam for in construction? Why would you use it over the regular Dow blue foam?

[robert harik]

I looked at the Dow site and found out why I never heard of it. Some recomended uses: Freezer floors, Runways, Heliports.

[nuevo]

The intended use is for flooring insulation that carrry heavy loads. Not for normal insulation. Dow makes several grades of compressive foams using the High-Load label. I know they make 40, 60, and 100 psi grades. The 100 psi being more dense. What you think of as "regular" dow blue foam has 25 psi compressive strength.

Here is a link at Dow for High Load 60 (http://dowbp-us-commercial.buildscape.com/items/detail/?bpid=417367&spid=460275&prodcatid=9566&from=cat&SID=401970dbfb0fb05e2d2df4e3d436652a) technical specifications.

If you search Google for dow hi-load 60 foam (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&q=dow+hi-load+60+foam&btnG=Search) you will see lots of folks use this stuff for vacuum bagging glider wings. I have used it a couple of times myself. Dow spells it "high load". Others call it "hi load", so search for both.

You should also join the SALglider (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SALglider/) and the Allegro Lite (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Allegro-Lite/) groups on Yahoo Groups.

They have lots of messages and saved files on foam selection, compressive strength comparisons, etc.

[robert harik]

JonStone, Thanks for the help and the Yahoo groups.
Rob

[trippme]

I like Owens Corning Foamular 600 better. Not sure where to get it in SoCal, I brought a bunch with me from Seattle.

[briandlg]

You may want to check out this thread in the handlaunch category:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246671

Some of us have been looking for a good source of white surfboard foam (spyder foam) in a given weight range and have determined that the hi-load 60 may be a good substitute.

[trippme]

I thought spyder foam was easy to get you just had to get a large quantity?

Why not put together a group to collectively buy? Anyone interested?

[RMD72377]

My friend owns an insullation shop I can get all versions of owens corning foam 250 is most widely used here in socal the 150 400 and 600 I can get but it takes a little time.

[trippme]

The 600 and 400 cut nicely and give you a density that is nice. The Foamular 600 is similar to the Hi-load 60 DOW foam but from what I've heard cuts better less "hair".

[raptor22]

My friend owns an insullation shop I can get all versions of owens corning foam 250 is most widely used here in socal the 150 400 and 600 I can get but it takes a little time.

Hmmm...my dad works for an insulation company. Maybe I should talk talk to him....

--Alex