Completely Off Topic Fiberglass Question

[tboggs]

A friend of mine asked me today if it were feasible to make a basketball backboard out of plywood and fiberglass. I told him it might work but I thought I'd put the question out there for you guys.

He wants a backboard that is 42" by 72" made of plywood and sandwiched with fiberglass. It doesn't seem that difficult of a job to me. The price for heavy duty backboards is approximately $300-$400. I can't imagine spending that much money building one.

Anyone have any idea which type of cloth and how much resin I should tell him to order? Any other thoughts or comments?

Thanks,

Terry

[jacquesmm]

To get the stiffness he needs a thick core. That means NidaCore or thick plywoood. If he uses foam, he needs at least 1/8" fiberglass, with plywood any thin layer will do.
NidaCore plus cheap polyester and mat would do the job for around $ 200.00.
Oh yes, he needs inserts wherever he is going to bolt things on.

[tboggs]

Thanks for the info Jacques!

[TimeWalker]

To get the stiffness he needs a thick core. That means NidaCore or thick plywoood. If he uses foam, he needs at least 1/8" fiberglass, with plywood any thin layer will do.
NidaCore plus cheap polyester and mat would do the job for around $ 200.00.
Oh yes, he needs inserts wherever he is going to bolt things on.

oh come on Jaq 200$? you can get 2 sheets of 1/2" for 20$ each you can get a gallon of boatyard poly resin for 19-21$ you can get matt from boaters word for 12$ a yard (50"wide)

40$ 2xply
42$ 2xresin
34$ 3x matt

Easily done under 150$

[smilinmatt]

But the polyester might delaminate if someone puts an oversized rim on it .

[jacquesmm]

Nidacore in 1/2" cost around $ 80 a sheet. At $ 20.00, you get the blue insulation foam and with the repeated shocks from the ball, it will not last long. Even the Nidacore is borderline.