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


Hi Zeke,

I am not building now but look forward to the opportunity in the future. That
is why I ask questions and put input in. If I am wrong I will be corrected and
learn.

I am also into street rods. I know of a bunch of guys that have changed their
mind on something in mid build. Bad enough if you are doing the work, but
extremely expensive if a shop or someone else is doing the work for you.
Research, get the plan set and stick to it. Things go better.

Thank you for the information and pointer to educational materials.

Dale Davies