can you apply Micarta one layer at a time?

8

80sskater

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May 30, 2018
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I'm wondering if possible to wrap something put glue on it and then the next layer. I would probably be going the long way and it's on something round similar to thin PVC pipe. Do you think this technique would work? It doesn't need to be pretty I just want to make some type of a handle on something. Thanks
 
You have just described the process used insulate winding conductors in power transformers by Westinghouse, who originated paper micarta. And of course it is micarta!
 
MikeH said:
You have just described the process used insulate winding conductors in power transformers by Westinghouse, who originated paper micarta. And of course it is micarta!
Click to expand...

Err wasn't micarta bakelite based and cured under heat and pressure. It's describing fibreglass (G10) pretty well though. I've seen this technique used on a knife in a youtube vid, it did look pretty crap and was said to have a rock hard feel to it.
 
Yep, won’t be true micarta due to not squishing it and heating it while constructing it. But, lots of cord wrapped handles are made of materials either soaked or coated in resin or glue and they work fine.

So, OP, no it’s not really micarta, but it should work.
 
80sskater said:
I'm wondering if possible to wrap something put glue on it and then the next layer. I would probably be going the long way and it's on something round similar to thin PVC pipe. Do you think this technique would work? It doesn't need to be pretty I just want to make some type of a handle on something. Thanks
Click to expand...

Lots of people make their own micarta. A common DIY version used to be layers of old jean material- soak in epoxy, stack up and then clamp to squeeze out the excess glue. Some people also use burlap. You can surely find lots of videos on youtube about this. You have to soak in enough epoxy to get the air out, then after layering you have to squeeze enough to force the excess epoxy out, and you have to do all of this before the epoxy sets so I would think you would use a really slow cure epoxy. I thought you could do it in cold temperatures but that makes the epoxy thicker. Do it warmer and the epoxy is more apt to soak in, but will set much faster. Oh and this is an incredibly messy operation. Do your homework, get everything ready and jump in. It looks like fun to me.

Oh and as already mentioned, if your goal is a handle it might be easier to put on a layer of epoxy and wrap in paracord then coat that in epoxy.
 
80sskater said:
I'm wondering if possible to wrap something put glue on it and then the next layer. I would probably be going the long way and it's on something round similar to thin PVC pipe. Do you think this technique would work? It doesn't need to be pretty I just want to make some type of a handle on something. Thanks
Click to expand...
Hi,
Sure, why not, no different than using ducktape or hockey tape or ...
Make a knife handle without any tools - cKc knivesandstuff
 
MikeH said:
You have just described the process used insulate winding conductors in power transformers by Westinghouse, who originated paper micarta. And of course it is micarta!
Click to expand...
that is that is incredibly interesting thank you
 
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