Poling platform engineering

[jacquesmm]

Impact resistance is a true problem but, as in our CF spars, we solve that problem with one or more layers of biaxial glass.

The easiest way to build such a platform will be, as Joel says, with tube assembled with tape or some other type of glass flanges.
I looked at carbon fiber bike frames and some are made of straight tubes assembled with Al connectors. Molded connectors would be better but one platform does not justify the making of a mold for connectors.

I see two problems with the nice looking platform in the picture:
- apparently no provision to resist impact or crushing
- the black color: that resin is going to get too hot in the Florida sun.

[Gramps]

Jacques,

From pictures I have seen he uses tubes with a wall thickness of approx. 2-3 millimeters, no internal "filler" (foam or other). Would you suggest painting over the carbon fiber for sun/heat protection? Would the 90* radius turn be formed over the foam mold? Or would a setup more similar to the cf platform (in the link) shown be better?

Sorry for all of the questions, just thirsty for knowledge!

[Jpatburke]

JM,

As you mentioned there is a guy making pretty tough MT bikes out of bamboo and CF.
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-I-b ... and-a-bam/

I made one and its tougher than you know what!!! I think if a 200lb+ fatass like me can land a jump on a bamboo bike, We should be able to pole from a platform made of bamboo or just CF. I thought bamboo over CF because you cam steam bend it to avoid all the joints.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f87/C ... C03722.jpg
Get some nice curves.

What about using PVC flanges/fittings to attach the platform? They come in various angles.

Or use CF tubes and these
http://www.simplifiedbuilding.com/produ ... ngled.html

Just thoughts

-JB

[tech_support]

There are FRP pipe fittings (flanges, elbows, couplings, etc...), they are made for chemical production because they do not corrode

Im sure they could be adapted to fit CF tubes.

I will be researching some suppliers for these if the prototype shows promise for something our builders could use to build t-tops and platforms

[gk108]

How practical would it be to use ready made styrofoam forms like these?
http://www.thecraftplace.com/store/more ... uct_ID=238
http://www.thecraftplace.com/store/more ... uct_ID=166
Mock-up the frame in foam and wrap it with CF. You could easily make custom angles and have no elbow joints, just continuous carbon fibers.

[Gramps]

Thats pretty slick GK! One thing though, would epoxy eat away the styrofoam? I know gas will, just not sure how eh, aggressive? epoxy is. Ha, I just need to build a boat to put the ideas to use on!

[tech_support]

That will work fine if we can get them big enough. We used those once to make a end fitting for a push pole

[tech_support]

Thats pretty slick GK! One thing though, would epoxy eat away the styrofoam? I know gas will, just not sure how eh, aggressive? epoxy is. Ha, I just need to build a boat to put the ideas to use on!

Some epoxies will, most will not. It depends on the chemistry of the epoxy system. polyesters definately will eat away the foam. We can use this to our advantage - so long as acetone will dissolve the foam those forms are made from, we could use them as lost molds to make the tubes hollow. I want to use the CF tubes for chases for lights

[Evan_Gatehouse]

I'm going to be building a stern arch for my catamaran. The vertical poles will be surplus carbon fiber/glass windsurfer masts. They are available used for around $75+ each depending on carbon content. I used a few of them as table legs for the dinette in my cat. Very stiff table resulted.

To make joints, it's easiest to just bevel one tube with a jigsaw and wrap the joint with carbon or fiberglass tape.

[cape man]

Downloaded the pics from Crystal River on another computer, but there was a gorgeous wooden platform on one of the boats there. Will look for it tomorow. Didn't meet the builder, but it appeared to be made from mohagony. He either steamed the wood or made some nice cuts out of some wide boards.

Had an old Carolina Stiff that had a platform that was not tall enough, and the cowling on the old Johnoson was cracked from tilting into it when I bought it. Everytime I tilted the motor I had to remember that, and several times forgot