Adam

HI Michael. Fellow fisherman here. I have heard of people replacing parts in their reels with carbon fiber parts although I haven't tried it. I found this video if you haven't see it:

Have you tried here? Northern CompositesComposite materialsSynskin HC 9837.1 Epoxy Surfacing Film

Hi Wiley. You can buy fabric by the yard here: Dry Woven - 1140 Denier Kevlar® 49 - Plain Weave - 50" Wide - 5.3 oz - Various Sizes Available (rockwestcomposites.com) If you are looking for a sleeve-type material, Rock West has this: Sharx™ Aramid Biaxial Sleeves│Rock West Composites

Hello @Joar and @Jas0n_NeVel A great way to pick up some pointers and see carbon fiber part creation with vacuum bagging are to watch these videos: Easy Composites Ltd - YouTube Easy Composites really has a good team creating these tutorial and informational videos.

@grace.hernandez I recommend the videos at Easy Composites Ltd - YouTube There is a ton of great instructional content there. Also, community colleges in your area might offer a Beginning Composites course of some type. I took one which was 2 nights a week for 10 weeks.

Hey @Mongo I really like the videos that Easy Composites out of the U.K. does: https://www.youtube.com/@easycompositestv Working with Prepreg: Forged CF:

Ah... square tubing... that would be better. I recommend using 1 inch inner diameter standard modulus square tubes: 1. https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/25488-long cut to size for your 78" sections. 2. https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/25488 for the shorter 55" pieces. and connect them together with something like this: https://www.mcmaster.com/47045T82/ I have not been able to find any carbon fiber square tube connectors out there, but I think any tough plastic or aluminum piece will do. Use a rubber mallet, and (maybe a few brushes with some sandpaper) to insert the connector into the tube. You can bond them if you want with a touch of cyanoacrylate epoxy (super glue), but I don't know if that is necessary. As far as attaching the wood to your carbon fiber frame, I would say you will need a fastening system that is more durable and lasting for the wear and tear of life at sea. I recommend that you fasten your wood panels to the carbon fiber frame using regular metal nuts and bolts, with a flat head that is aesthetically acceptable to you. Drill pilot holes through your square carbon fiber tubes with a regular metal drill bit and a strong drill (if your tube is securely immobile, this is pretty easy). Lastly, you will need to secure the bed frame to your boat. I would think you would want to bolt it to the floor or wall using the same method.

Hello @sfsailboat. That sounds like a great idea. I think you might be able to use tube connectors of any type (pvc?) to connect carbon fiber tubes into a frame. Rock West has machined, anodized aluminum connectors here: https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/shop/shop-by-application/marine/connectors-fittings-for-marine/ce15-mb3-05 that would connect with 1.5 inner diameter cf tubes: https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/46410-g-dl

Hello Monica- Great idea. I would be interested if we can get it going!

I created this skateboard using an infusion lay-up. In a waxed mold, I placed 2x2 twill fabric x2, carefully pressing the fabric into the edges of the mold. The middle of the board is a simple foam core, about 1/8 inch thick. Then two more layers of fabric. I set up a vacuum system to draw the resin through the board. After curing, I removed it from the mold and began cutting off the excess fabric and sanding. I purchased trucks and glow-in-the-dark wheels. topped it off with black grip tape. The guy at the skateboard shop was impressed!

https://carbonfibergear.com/collections/iphone-14 Phone Cases!!!

@Mongo I don't know the price for these reusable rubber bladders, but I can tell you that vacuum bags can be difficult to get right. With time and practice, like anything, you get better at it, but it takes some getting used to.

In our Composite Materials class we created these cool bowls using carbon fiber prepreg pieces, shaped into a metal bowl-shaped mold. There are seven layers. We did a vacuum bag debulk after layer 4. The most difficult part was ensuring that there was no "bridging" of the material and minimizing wrinkles.

Sure, give Rock West Composites a call at 801-566-3402 and ask to speak with @John Kimball