Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board

Re: Deck frame *PIC*

Posted By: Capt Patrick McCrary
Date: Wednesday, 15 June 2005, at 9:30 a.m.

In Response To: Deck frame (Paul Haggett)

Paul,

Making I-Beams with plywood, epoxy, and fiberglass is pretty simple...

Start by epoxy glassing both sides of a panel of plywood. One layer of 1208 biaxle cloth is all you need. Just calculate how much total material you'll need for your two I-Beams and add some for waste on the table saw.

With the base panel made, strip out the 6 pieces according to your measurements. Cut a dado down the center of the 4 horizontal strips and assemble your I-Beams with thickened epoxy.

Add a second layer of glass to the side channels & cap a layer over the exposed plywood edges. It will help if you create a thickened epoxy fillet in the corners so that your glass will make the 90° transition. You don't have to wait for the fillets to cure before adding the second layer of glass... See the "Tips" section for making fillets.

Monitor the cure of your glass work & at the point that the fiberglass is at leather hardness, use a razor knife to trim off the overhanging excess.

Cut the beams to length & cap the ends.

Best regards,

Patrick

Messages In This Thread

Deck frame
Paul Haggett -- Wednesday, 15 June 2005, at 6:11 a.m.

Re: Deck frame *PIC*
Capt Patrick McCrary -- Wednesday, 15 June 2005, at 9:30 a.m.