layup : epoxy in edge tines

ben_mtl · Post by **ben_mtl** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 3:44 am

Hi there.
Last week-end I built a couple pairs of skis and noticed that during layup I loose a lot of time in the first step : applying epoxy to the base, making sure every space between the edge teeth is filled with resin.
I then "scrape" all the extra resin and start laying up my VDS, then fibreglass..etc

How do you guys apply this first coat of epoxy to the edges ? how fast do you do that and how carefull are you to fill every space between edge teeth ?
Any video showing that step would be usefull I guess... I'll try to edit some footage I shot to show you how slow I am...

After I'm done with the VDS I think I'm OK with how I do... not the fastest in the world but fast enough...

Thanks !

skidesmond · Post by **skidesmond** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:41 am

I agree, that is the most time consuming part of the layup. I don't have any magic way. When you pour the resin on, you can try pouring a bead along the tynes and then spread it over the edges.

ben_mtl · Post by **ben_mtl** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:49 am

yeah, I tried it once but put some (=too much) resin on the casette... I should try it again I guess.
I just checked the Kingswood video and he does this step with a paint brush.. looks pretty efficient, any of you do that way ?

skidesmond · Post by **skidesmond** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:55 am

Yea it can flow over onto the cassette. I forgot about the brush technique. He must go through a lot of brushes.

amidnightproject · Post by **amidnightproject** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:51 am

I use bondo spreaders for layup and don't seem to have a problem. It gets faster the more you do it. Never tried the brush route however.

doughboyshredder · Post by **doughboyshredder** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:08 am

Quickest part of the layup.

Using a flat edged spreader, set the edge up against the edge, angle the spreader at about 45 degrees, let her rip leaving a bead along the edges. Move forward with layup as usual.

leaving the bead along the edges (a very small bead) is more than adequate. The squeeze out will do the rest. Taking the time to fill each of the spaces individually is pointless.

This was determined through testing with clear based boards.

ben_mtl · Post by **ben_mtl** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:22 am

Just so I'm sure I understand correctly :

Basically you pour some epoxy on your base, then you spread it with a flatedged spreader flat against the base but at a 45deg angle to the length axis (as opposed to the 90deg angle used to spread epoxy on the triax for example).
With this motion one corner of the flat edge spreader follows the edge tynes and leaves a small bead of resin on top of them.

Am I correct ?

That's what I do but then I try to "push" the resin into the small spaces and then scrape everything one last time to remove the extra resin.

I do that because last time I left too much epoxy between the edges and VDS, during the squezze out all the VDS ended up outside the ski...

Thanks for the help !

twizzstyle · Post by **twizzstyle** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:56 am

I'm with Doughboy, this is quick.

I use cheap plastic spreaders from harbor freight. First thing I do is pour a generous bead of epoxy along all of the edges, right on top of the tines. I use the spreader to spread this bead out so its basically covering the entire base. If there are any gaps between tines with no epoxy, I use the spreader in an inside-to-outside (center of the base towards the edge) wiping motion, which fills all the gaps. I'm not super meticulous, so it's fast and everything is filled. I get a lot of epoxy on the cassette, but that's what the parchment paper is for.

sammer · Post by **sammer** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:13 am

Like doughboy,
The snowplow trick!
I've been using left over base material for a spreader.
Sometimes if I see a void I'll push some resin into the teeth, but usually gravity does it for me while I'm buttering the rest of the base.

sam

falls · Post by **falls** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:24 am

I do it like the kingswood video with the brush
It takes me 15 minutes sometimes

I m very careful not to let the epoxy get over the edge onto the cassette and run in under the base.
I tried it with the spreader once but it didn't go well for me and a lot pf epoxy went over the side onto the cassette. I didn't have a narrow spreader though.
Sounds like I am spending a lot of time probably being too meticulous.

twizzstyle · Post by **twizzstyle** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 6:40 am

Why are you guys so concerned with keeping epoxy off your cassette?

I wax mine just for an extra measure, but then use parchment paper. I could pour a gallon of epoxy onto my cassette and would have no issue popping it right off.

falls · Post by **falls** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:01 am

More worried about it getting over the edge and in under the base material therefore affecting base flatness

vinman · Post by **vinman** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:45 am

I also just use a plastic spreader. I push a bead over the edge teeth and then run the spreader down the length of the edge to pull the excess back onto the base. I do make sure there is epoxy inbetween each tooth though. I'm not overly careful about keeping everything contained within the edge. I use contact paper on the bases and parchment under that. Clean up is simple.

ben_mtl · Post by **ben_mtl** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 3:21 am

what Falls said.. I'm a bit concerned about base flatness if epoxy is getting under the base... but I also have to take care of that carbon strip thing (other thread).. it would help a lot !

twizzstyle · Post by **twizzstyle** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:30 am

All of the skis I've done have had a lot of epoxy on the bases (which I don't protect with anything). The bases still press out totally flat, you jsut get a very thin layer of epoxy on the base which grinds right off. Unless the epoxy gets trapped, it shouldn't case flatness issues.

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layup : epoxy in edge tines

layup : epoxy in edge tines