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boatsmith · 29-12-2013, 08:33

We are building a carbon/wood wheel for our current project. Some of yall might enjoy this.

klmmicro · 29-12-2013, 08:44

That is really cool! Did you bake the CF yourself?

boatsmith · 29-12-2013, 08:48

We are using West epoxy and are not post curing.

klmmicro · 29-12-2013, 10:17

Neat. I did some work for a golf company here in Southern Cal and was shown the CF working gear. Would be awesome to be able to use that sort of thing. Will have to look up West Epoxy.

boatsmith · 08-01-2014, 03:26

Wheel looking good

Delancey · 08-01-2014, 04:33

Neat project. How much does it weigh? Same as a stainless wheel or is it less? Looks like most of the stiffness in the wheel comes from the thickness of the wood, is the carbon mainly just for show? Or do you think it contributes significantly to the strength?

Did you use carbon tubes for the spokes? They look sort of bumpy to me but the image isn't very good so I can't tell. If you made them by wrapping carbon tow around a form it can be tricky to get the tow to lay flat. Usually build up coats of epoxy and sand smooth but that's not getting you an optimum fiber to resin ratio. You probably know that, but bumpy spokes?

tamicatana · 08-01-2014, 05:09

I like the spokes; they make visible the twisted fibres which is to me a pretty effect, rather like ropework.

you selling them, or is this a one-time deal?

btw, West Systems Epoxy and Information Blessed are les Gougeons

Delancey · 08-01-2014, 05:21

My dumb, I looked more closely. Interesting approach. Have you done any testing on it? Or tested a mock-up?

boatsmith · 08-01-2014, 07:17

No testing, the wood is for comfort and show , the carbon spokes and rim provide the stiffness. While it does make use of carbons enormous strength, the application is a bit irreverent. Some art and some fun. We sell everything.

tamicatana · 08-01-2014, 07:20

First, what is the weight compared to a steel wheel?
Second, since I'd need two, what would I be looking at for cost? I can appreciate they are labor intensive so I'm cringing ;-)