I'd either go for:

  a) The MAS epoxy designed for infusion (it has no amine blush, and either low or no volatile organic compounds), or

  b) Vinylester.

  Polyester is also an option, but it's the least waterproof of the three. 

  I'd personally use the MAS product, but George makes good points about the vinylester.  No need to try to rehash that one.

       - Mike


Gardner Pomper wrote:

Hi,

Winter has set in here in Pennsylvania and my "3-day" plywood proa project has been packed up in my unheated barn for the winter with the hulls complete, but still needing rudders and beams. 

I would like to continue building in my basement (if I can get the admiral's permission) and would like to learn vacuum infusion while I am at it. I have purchased misc pieces of what I think I need (peel ply, vacuum sheeting, the infusion cloth), and I think I might have sorted out the tubing, etc for the infusion supply and catch bucket.

My questions are:

1) What resin should I infuse with? The West epoxy I normally use seems too viscous and I hear that vinylester smells (sure way for the admiral to shut down this project)

2) how/where can I get samples of various core materials? I would like to get familiar with what I need for harryproa building, which (last I heard) is polycore with some sort of flexible foam in the middle for bending the hull? Anyone have some contacts? The same with basalt (used instead of fiberglass on Rapscallion, I think). I assume I do this by contacting the manufacturers, so if someone could tell me the appropriate materials to get samples of, and who makes them, I will contact them.

I still have one question when it comes to infusing both sides of a panel at once... is the resin supply tube run on the table next to the foam sandwich, or is it placed on top? I am not clear on how the resin is supposed to get to both sides of the sandwich, even if the foam has holes drilled every 4".

Thanks for the info and the patience. Boatbuilding is far from my area of expertise and I often feel I am flailing around with simple questions.

- Gardner

York, PA

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