I guess I'm committed now! Just glued the first two Pygmy Pinguino 145 panels.
I'm deviating a slight bit at this point from the manual by gluing the panels in a different order. I'm starting with both panel #6's, both left and right, and then I'll work my way down through the panel #1's. That way the panels I will actually use first are on top of my stack and the ones that I won't use until later are on the bottom. It reduces the number of times that you have to move the fragile panel joints.
These two panels met up really nicely so there was no need to weigh them down. I simply used spring clamps on the edges of the table. IF they hadn't met well then I'd have used bricks to keep them down.
I also will only use fiberglass tape on the underside (the side with the stickers). If you're careful enough moving the panels then you really don't need tape on the outsides. No matter how hard you try, you will always see that outside tape. Once the monocoque hull is assembled then the hull and the fiberglass covering will be more than strong enough. Just move the panels carefully until then!
Pygmy gives you mylar to use as a barrier to the epoxy. Once cured, the mylar simply pulls off. If you didn't buy extra from them, then you can really use any other plastic. Most plastics don't stick to epoxy. I have an old box of transparencies from my school from back when we used to have overhead projectors. The school was just throwing them out and I grabbed a few boxes. Cut the mylar or plastic just big enough to cover your epoxy work.
Clamp the larger panel down in a few places. Notice that there are clamps on the opposite ends to make sure that the panels don't move. Then mix up some epoxy and coat it one to the edges. Carefully push the smaller panel into the larger one carefully lining the two panels together. Run your finger along the edges. Does the edge feel continuous and fair? Adjust as needed. Then clamp the smaller piece in place.
Paint more epoxy onto the seam between the two panels.
Cut a small piece of fiberglass tape just to fit. Or, if you wish, you can cut the tape to just overlap the edges. Gently place over the seam. Paint some more epoxy onto the tape. It should very quickly go completely transparent. You'll still be able to see it, but it will be clear.
Now take another small piece of mylar or plastic and roll it onto the seam. Let the bubbles slowly work out as they will, but then take your squeegee and gently run it left and right across the seam to work the bubbles out.
Let fully cure... usually 24 hours.
When done, carefully put aside for later. I normally stack the deck panels on top of the large cardboard box from Pygmy that I've placed on the floor under my table. The other panels for the hull I'll carefully stack to the side of my garage.
Cheers!
I'm deviating a slight bit at this point from the manual by gluing the panels in a different order. I'm starting with both panel #6's, both left and right, and then I'll work my way down through the panel #1's. That way the panels I will actually use first are on top of my stack and the ones that I won't use until later are on the bottom. It reduces the number of times that you have to move the fragile panel joints.
These two panels met up really nicely so there was no need to weigh them down. I simply used spring clamps on the edges of the table. IF they hadn't met well then I'd have used bricks to keep them down.
I also will only use fiberglass tape on the underside (the side with the stickers). If you're careful enough moving the panels then you really don't need tape on the outsides. No matter how hard you try, you will always see that outside tape. Once the monocoque hull is assembled then the hull and the fiberglass covering will be more than strong enough. Just move the panels carefully until then!
Pygmy gives you mylar to use as a barrier to the epoxy. Once cured, the mylar simply pulls off. If you didn't buy extra from them, then you can really use any other plastic. Most plastics don't stick to epoxy. I have an old box of transparencies from my school from back when we used to have overhead projectors. The school was just throwing them out and I grabbed a few boxes. Cut the mylar or plastic just big enough to cover your epoxy work.
Clamp the larger panel down in a few places. Notice that there are clamps on the opposite ends to make sure that the panels don't move. Then mix up some epoxy and coat it one to the edges. Carefully push the smaller panel into the larger one carefully lining the two panels together. Run your finger along the edges. Does the edge feel continuous and fair? Adjust as needed. Then clamp the smaller piece in place.
Paint more epoxy onto the seam between the two panels.
Cut a small piece of fiberglass tape just to fit. Or, if you wish, you can cut the tape to just overlap the edges. Gently place over the seam. Paint some more epoxy onto the tape. It should very quickly go completely transparent. You'll still be able to see it, but it will be clear.
Now take another small piece of mylar or plastic and roll it onto the seam. Let the bubbles slowly work out as they will, but then take your squeegee and gently run it left and right across the seam to work the bubbles out.
Let fully cure... usually 24 hours.
When done, carefully put aside for later. I normally stack the deck panels on top of the large cardboard box from Pygmy that I've placed on the floor under my table. The other panels for the hull I'll carefully stack to the side of my garage.
Cheers!
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