where can i buy GRP sheet?.

[madbad jezza]

does anyone know where abouts in the UK that i can buy sheets of either GRP or carbon fibre?. i want some 2MM thick stuff so i can build a light weight racing hotshot chassis - found some plans in one of those old RC cars mags that i,ve got []. tried my LHS - no such luck!.

cheers,

james.

[fury_dice(2)]

quote:

Originally posted by madbad jezza

does anyone know where abouts in the UK that i can buy sheets of either GRP or carbon fibre?.

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Sorry if you already know this, but be very careful when you're working with GRP or carbon fibre material - the dust is very nasty stuff and you'll need to wear a mask. Can't help with a source of material I'm afraid (although I do know someone who works with carbon fibre for McClaren - if I see him I'll ask).

[madbad jezza]

thanks for the tip [], and thanks for the help [].

[TWINSET]

Jezza

Try an industrial plastics stockist (Yellow Pages)

You want G10 as an equivalent to Scorcher chassis material.

I got a quote a while back for some CAT chassis plates, and they were around £7.50 from my supplier (£30 minimum)

Walk in with cash and they could prolly find you an offcut

Definitely were a mask and skin protection though, the guys at our machine shop got some real nasty rashes off the stuff before now

[spikey]

Try Maplin they used to sell it, how much do you need i have a small amount

[SJoerD]

I got a very small piece from someone, so I could make a reinforcing plate for a Blazing Star front shock tower. The stock part borke, I suspecit it's a usual place for a breakage on this flimsey part - the thinnest point. The black powder from the carbon fibre seems innocent though. I wonder why he told me AFTERWARD that it was quite dangerous... I only saw a very small part though and didn't breath in any of it (purposely). [8)]

The plate I got was about 2 mm thick, and I could well shape it with a jigsaw and sandpaper. It's a lot tougher stuff than the usual triplex wood you saw with it, it can be quite exhausting for just a small part. But it's worth it! [8D]

[terry.sc]

Hi James

For grp sheet try http://www.freeflightsupplies.co.uk They sell sheet in their hi-tech materials section. They sell it in 0.030", 0.060", 0.065", 0.078" and 0.090' thicknesses. 2mm is 0.078" thick, and they only cost £3.00 for a 12" square.

For carbon fibre http://www.fibre-lyte.co.uk/ They do plain sheets in carbon fibre and a carbon/glass sandwich which is cheaper, tougher and easier to work with. If you send them a drawing they can machine your parts out for you, see Biggus Ditchus custom SRB.

I have used grp sheet to make my own parts, here is an example. All the grp parts are home made.

Carbon is hard to work with as it wears out blades very quickly. Working with grp is a lot easier. Your skin can be irritated by the fibres, so a barrier cream is recommended. I don't have a problem with it myself but its best to be careful. The biggest problem is the dust getting in your lungs so wear a dust mask while working with it. I use a junior hacksaw (with plenty of spare blades) to cut it, its easy to control and there is no dust thrown around. If you use a jigsaw use metalworking blades as they do not rip the edges of the sheet. For inner curves and sanding the edges I use a dremel with a sanding drum. Make sure you wear a dust mask when sing this. Alternatively if you are sanding the edges smooth with sandpaper do it under a running tap to wash away the dust.

When you have cut out the two sides clamp them together while you drill the holes so they are in the same places on both pieces. Use a needle file to adjust any of the holes if they do not line up with the gearboxes.

BTW the replacement chassis was not designed to save weight, if anything the original would be lighter. It meant you could fit alternative radio gear as an ESC around that time would not fit inside the standard chassis. It also meant you could sort out the bump steer on the standard car by using a bellcrank steering setup. I ran one like that at the time, and have just bought a Hotshot to rebuild as a racing version. Ive got a TMS body, and I've just found someone who has a TMS Hotshot racing chassis kit so I don't need to make one[]

[quincey]

i got mine from steve webb models and hobbies in frodsham cheshire its made by magregor industries i paid £7.99 for a sheet 10" by 8" it was 3.18mm thick i used it to make a clod chassis,their number is 01928 735225 if it helps

[madbad jezza]

[] cheers chaps!. []

"i love it when a plan comes together..." []

james.