By John Wanberg, 2009, 144 Pages
The "Handbook of Composite Fabrication" covers all of the major composite manufacturing processes in a single, concise volume. Perfect for all levels from beginners to experienced.

While most books on composites approach the subject from a very technical standpoint, this book presents practical, hands-on information about these versatile materials. From explanations of what a composite is, to demonstrations on how to actually utilize them in various projects, this book provides a simple, concise perspective on molding and finishing techniques. Composite Materials Fabrication Handbook includes shop set up, design and a number of hands-on start-to-finish projects documented with abundant photographs.

Chapter List:

• One: Composite Basics
• Two: Matrices and Reinforcements
• Three: Health and Safety
• Four: Setting Up Shop
• Five: Composites Molding Basics
• Six: Composites Fabrication Techniques
• Seven: Demolding Techniques
• Eight: Finishing Techniques

 

By John Wanberg, 2010, 144 Pages

Composites Fabrication Handbook #2 is written for those who want to enhance the quality and performance of their composite projects. Learn what it takes to truly optimize a composite lamination for high-performance use.
Basic mold making is covered in this book to help fabricators produce effective mold systems from a variety of molding materials. Several advanced molding techniques are demonstrated in-depth, including vacuum bagging, trapped-rubber insert molding, inflatable bladder molding, or resin transfer molding techniques. In the spirit of Composites Fabrication Handbook #1, this book presents each subject in a hands-on, practical way.

Creating useful composite parts requires a good design, a topic that is discussed at length in this book. The methods illustrated here lend themselves to both motorcycle and automotive builders and customizers. The construction of these parts is documented in step-by-step fashion with an abundance of photographs.

Chapter List:

• One: Designing Moldable Composite Parts
• Two: Composite Tooling Fabrication Techniques
• Three: Compression Molding Techniques
• Four: Vauum-bag Molding Techniques
• Five: Pre-preg and Expandable Insert Molding Techniques
• Six: Inflatable Bladder Molding Techniques
• Seven: Resin Transfer Molding Techniques

 

By John Wanberg, 2012, 144 Pages
Composite Fabrication Handbook #3 continues this practical, hands-on series on composites with helpful how-to projects that cover a variety of topics geared toward assisting home-builders in completing their composite projects.

Handbook #3 starts off where Handbook #2 ended, expanding on mold-making techniques including special methods for creating molds and composite copies of existing parts, fabricating molds from clay models, and making advanced mold systems using computer modeling software. Several alternative methods of fabricating one-off parts are presented in this book, including molding over frameworks and human forms, as well as using stock composites to build simple structures. Hands-on projects include an automotive body panel, (formed by using an existing panel to make the mold), a camper shell, and a hollow-body guitar. Composite repairs are also covered in this book, along with a primer on computer-aided analysis of composites structures and an inside look at how professional fabricators build high tech composite parts for aerospace, racing and the sports industries.

Composite Materials handbook #3 demonstrates advanced mold making techniques, including the use of routers and CNC machines in the making of molds. The use of silicone-compression molds, to form complex shapes, is also included.This is the book for anyone who's ready to advance beyond the methods and projects presented in Handbooks #1 and #2. Like those two books, this one documents a variety of projects that can be duplicated in your shop or garage. Take your composite fabrication skills to the next level with Composite Materials Handbook #3.  

All five of our How-To videos on a convenient 2 DVD set. A total of 190 minutes of the most complete guide for using composite materials available anywhere! The Complete Fiberglass and Composite Library contains The Basics of Fiberglass, A Step-By-Step Guide to Molding Fiberglass, Advanced Moldmaking and Plug Construction, Vacuum Bagging and Sandwich Core Construction and The Art of Moldless Composites. 

By Bennett Media, Boat Maintenance Series, 57 Minutes
Learn how to repair blisters and severe osmosis below the water line with this instructional DVD. Using an easy to follow approach, clear demonstrations and detailed close-up instruction, you'll watch why preparation and treatment is the most important part of osmosis repair and what you do before the finish work is vital to a professional and long lasting repair. Filmed in real time with Fiberglass expert Daniel Bruno.

You can save a sizable chunk of your boating budget on repairs you can do yourself. This DVD goes step-by-step with safety instructions for procedure, application techniques, tools needed and waste disposal techniques. You'll be shown the following procedures:

• Slurry Blasting
• Treatment of Blisters
• Gel Stripping
• Steam Cleaning & Grinding

 

By Bennett Media, Boat Maintenance Series, 45 Minutes
Learn how to get the perfect finish on the bottom of your boat with this instructional DVD. Using an easy to follow approach, clear demonstrations and detailed close-up instruction, you'll learn step-by-step from experts how to get a perfect finish below the waterline using the best in modern coating and anti-fouling technology to restore it to "like new" condition.

You can save a sizable chunk of your boating budget on repairs you can do yourself. This DVD goes step-by-step with safety instructions for procedure, application techniques, tools needed and waste disposal techniques. You'll be shown the following procedures:

• Applying the Primer Coat
• Applying & Grinding Epoxy Putty
• Apply Epoxy Paint
• Coppercoat Antifoul

 

Learn how to mix you own matching color gelcoat, fill scratches and voids on the gelcoat surface, spray gelcoat as well as sand and polish the gelcoat to a new boat finish. 

Learn how to make fiberglass repairs as you look over the shoulder of a professional fiberglass repairman with 20 years experience. Using easy to follow, step-by-step procedures he repairs a crack in the bottom of a bass boat. 

Anything but basic! This book begins with a simple discussion of fabrics and resins but continues through sandwich core structures and engineering with the materials. Stress testing and load analysis are also covered. 

This book offers a thorough general introduction to fiberglass fabrication and repair and addresses the reluctance many newcomers have to doing fiberglass work. He covers reasons for doing your own repairs as well as materials, equipment and health and safety. About 50 pages are dedicated to various types of repair but molding and construction projects are covered as well. 

In addition to fiberglass construction, these guides discuss plaster, latex molding, rubber gelatin and flexible molding wax. Designed for those interested in craft applications, these guides are an excellent source of information to anyone interested in casting and molding.