Home made micarta gone bad or?

P

peppen108

Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
663
I built a frame

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Pre-cut cotton fabric

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Put the lid on

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Strange wave pattern

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Handles look great! I think the waviness might be due to something with the epoxy. Did you squeeze the resin and epoxy good after applying it? A description of that area of your technique will help everyone help you.
 
Before the last layer of en epoxy an bead blasting.

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I'm well happy. Hop-fully it inspires some one. :)
 
Before the last layer of en epoxy an bead blasting.

IMG_0232-2.jpg


IMG_0235-2.jpg


11d341ca-d37e-450a-92d3-54a1211ccd38.jpg


I'm well happy. Hop-fully it inspires some one. :)
 
@sintro I used a lamination epoxy for carbon ore glass-fiber. I'm quite baffled. Maybe the fit was to tight in the frame. I added 3 layers over the frame and used the screws to apply massive pressure.
 
Looks like uneven pressure. I'd like to see your 'lid' setup. The lid should fit inside the mold. Plus, it should be thick enough so it's strong and will not bend. I think that is what happened in your case. Looks like the waviness came from the top. Either that or your excess epoxy/resin had no place to go so it created pools as you increased the pressure.

I use C clamps and a thick top plates to spread the pressure out over my laminates. From time to time I'll still get some variance, but usually it isn't a lot. A 1x piece of lumber should be minimum size for a top plate.

Also, as the epoxy/resin oozes out, don't forget to periodically tighten your clamps.
 
i really like the look of it :), sooner or later there will be a bunch of damascarta too.
 
I like the wavy look, very cool grain type pattern on the scales:thumbup: I also like the black liner layer in the center.

Good work in my opinion. I'm sure you will refine the process the more you do it.
 
If the epoxy got too hot during the cure, it could have expanded, causing the ridges. Try laying it up again but only laying up 2 or 3 layers at a time. Be sure to sand or wash off the amine blush between layups.

Tim
 
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I think the waves look cool, and add a nice personal touch.
What would be the purpose of homemade if it all looked just like the factory stuff? It's not like it's that much cheaper...
 
i really like the look of it , sooner or later there will be a bunch of damascarta too.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I really like the damascus look of your phenolic laminate creation.
 
Lack of pressure. Was there any at all? Remember as these cure they go though some pretty good temperature fluctuations so it will move about if you allow it.

Funny though, as soon as I saw it, I knew if would polish up nicely.:D:thumbup:

If you were able to avoid pinholes and voids, I'd call it success.
 
I like the waves better, gives it a more natural woody sort of appearance. My vote for the cause is either uneven pressure or one of the fabrics had sizing on it or was not washed before being used which cause irregular absorption of the glue. Just a theory.
 
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