Chris,
You could use sections of blue
foam used in the cannard cut in a long pipe or cynider shape. Cut
them up to make any type of pipe you want. Coat the thing with RTV,
glass over it. Disolve the foam with solvent and pul the RTV out with
pliers. It leaves a smooth surface inside the tubes.
Joe Berki
Limo EZ
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 2:12
AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: fiberglass
runners
I
have seen some postings over the few years I have been on this list
regarding making fiberglass runners for an intake manifold, however, I am
unsure if anyone has actually made any and if not why not. If I
understand it correctly they are paths for air and would not require any
"structural strength, just need to be resistant to the heat in the area they
are placed and direct the air properly. If this is true, and please
correct me where I am wrong, why would fiberglass runners not work. Is
it that there are not that many composite guys on the list (just Mr. Slade
and myself?) and as a result are resistant or not skilled in working with
fiberglass. Seems they would be light, easy to form and get into
tighter places and do the job well. However, I am not an engineer and
am concerned about obvious stuff I could easily miss. I am not skilled
with any welding (even though my build partner, David Staten, just
bought a welder for us to learn with) so like the idea of having
alternatives.
I
am in the final stages of my Velocity airframe
construction (now in the micro, sand repeat stage) and feel VERY
confident in my abilities with fiberglass. What obvious stuff am I
missing regarding using high temp epoxy to make well formed runners out
of fiberglass. Y'alls input/insight is greatly appreciated.
TIA.
All the best,
Chris Barber
Houston, GSOT
LoneStarVelocity.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Joe, too hard! Do it the easy lazy man's way. Get bicyle tube
slightly smaller diameter than the finished tube, cut it apart . Get PVC pipe
with ID of your finished runner's ID. Cut to disired length of runner and
split in half. Duct tape pipe back together. Tie wrap one end of
tube shut and insert into pipe. Fill with blasting sand though open end. Shoot
a shot of shop air into it while holding vertical. Sand will fill tube out to
PVC. When filled with sand to top of PVC, tie wrap off. Remove PVC and you
have a saugage bag that you can shape to any desired curve. Apply a separating
agent ( I used PAM) , then wrap with FG tape. When cured , undo tie wrap, dump
sand, pull tube out and presto you have a runner with very smooth
interior.
Bernie