Hello, again, Paul:

I am a long-term lurker, mostly very quiet. I appear here because I do know
something about composites and their techniques. I have been following the
recent line on carbon fiber and I am concerned for my fellow builders.
Basically, I see that we have guys building flying machines who are
seriously ignorant of basic principles and where ignorance can kill them. No
room here for a current course in composite technology, but I think that I
would do a great service by offering a very few references that would
correct some of the urban legends, folklore, traditions, and rumor that are
associated with this field. Naturally, I push my own books, but I won't here
because I concentrate on a specific application. For one thing, I suggest to
my readers that they stay away from carbon fiber (however cool) in favor of
glass for several reasons, not the least being that very few of them will
have the necessary technical background to actually realize the design
potential of this remarkable material. (Also, you can't see through it when
making a layup.) And, yes, carbon and aluminum can make a battery when you
don't want them to.

REALLY, REALLY BASIC: Composite Materials Fabrication Handbook #1, by John
Wanberg, ISBN 978-1-929133-76-5. Superbly illustrated in color. Yes, he does
examples in carbon fiber, but is mostly motivated by cool, not real design
limits. Excellent on the grubby details of cutting, mixing, and measuring.
No engineering here at all.

THE HARD CORE IN A SINGLE BOOK: Essentials of Advanced Composite Fabrication
& Repair, Louis C. Dorworth, et al, ISBN 978-1-56027-752-1.This is a product
of Abaris Training, outside Reno. Abaris is now a major trainer for airlines
and the military in composite techniques. This book is mostly aimed above
the homebuilder but the basics are still there. Lots of good stuff on
bonding and adhesion, also on how the composite system actually works.
Strips away a lot of folklore.

MECHANICAL PRINCIPLES MADE EASY: Structures, or Why Things Don't Fall Down,
by J. E. Gordon, ISBN 0-306-80151. Old, but still in print. If you haven't
time for a degree in mechanical engineering and can only read one book, read
this one - twice. You will understand shear. Prof. Gordon has the gift of
simple explanation. Coincidentally, he was one of the pioneers in fiberglass
technology for the first radomes in WW 2.

FOLLOW UP: Website www.freemansupply.com. Freeman is a major industrial
composite supplier. They offer a wonderful line of free DVDs on all manner
of composite processes and tooling, most of which do not apply to the home
builder. I have Making Parts, Patterns, Tools, & Molds, Fourth Edition,
which is suitable for the beginner who has just finished Mr. Wanberg's book.

A little homework can save much time, money, and pain.

Zeke Smith

Good-one Zeke!!  I was hoping someone with actual knowledge was listening,
thanks for the references, I'm not building a composite a/c mainly due to
lack of a working knowledge, but the benefits must be recognised. Yes "A
little bit of knowledge can be dangerous"
   Thanks again
     Graeme

Zeke is too modest. You should also get his book Advanced Composite Techniques
by Zeke Smith. Aeronaut Press Napa Ca. 364 pages and $34.95

He has some great ideas on moldless construction. I highly recommend
it.

Paul Lamar