How does one work with Fiber Glass

[mykull]

Okay, I have never attempted to do anything in fiber glass.. just I guess I'm afraid of doing it. Does or has anyone work with fiberglass before.. I mean I have seen some killer lids mad out of fiberglass.. but is that done by using a mold? If so, how are molds made...blah, blah, blah. I guess what I'm after is a step by step plan on working with Fiber glass and making mold.

Hopefully someone can step up and give me a helping hand. thanks

 

[MaxPlague]

I'm going to move this post to the Propbuilding Methods and Materials section. You'll probably have better luck there.

To answer one of your questions, yes, fiberglass helmets are made in a mold. Molds are made by pouring silicon or urethane or plaster, etc over a master-sculpt (a helmet mold would likely be done in 2 halves-front and back)...it's really too complex to go into a great tutorial here.

There are some good sites and good books on the subject:
The Propbuilder's Molding and Casting Handbook

Smooth-On tutorial on Molding and Casting

 

[krillindb]

I recently did this to make my gauntlets, it is really easy. I would suggest you practice a few times to make sure you can get a bubble free casting. That was my mistake. And also remember to mix your resin in SMALL amounts, i wasted alot because i mixed too much at once. If you want a tutorial i might be able to put one together in a few days. just send me a pm.

 

[Concord Dawn]

Hi there

What is it you want to make ?

I work with Fibre Glass in my job, there are lots of different ways of going about things, depending on what your trying to do !

If you can be a little more 'spicific' I may be able to help !



CD

 

[mobius]

Hi just made an oval shaped ring and used a small metal candy container. I rubbed vaselin inside the container and then mixed fiberglass resin with fibers and rubbed into the container.

I let the mixture harden and took the pice out. No problem.

 

[T Visor]

Yeah, one of my next projects will be a fiber glass backplate. The one I have is made out of sintra. It's not solid enough, because the weight of my fiber glass Jet Pack. Maybe should I try to reinforce the new one with metal parts between the layers of fiber glass ... Could be heavy .