Dude, at first I was like this is an advert for a company. But the fact you put such detailed instruction on use is what enables people to try these for themselves / start researching. Genuinely looking forward to the testing, as someone just generally interested in engineering/design, but with no formal education in the area. This is pretty cool.
Thanks Spike, yes, we’re not just producing adverts. Sure, we do sell composite materials, as well as make them, and make equipment, but mainly we love engineering and composites in particular and we’ve devoted the last 15 years to sharing this passion! We wish you all the best with your forays into these subjects 👍
@@easycompositestv The combination of instructional video and 'all-in' kits is a winner IMO. Its like doing night classes, I look forward to more! Keep 'em up.
I've watched these guys' videos for years, and have used their awesome product line here in the US for my drones for years, and am SO grateful! Such an incredible operation, combining training and entry level packages to get in the game. Shipping costs can be a monster, but I don't have to buy everything in 5 or 50 gallon drums like some companies require, so it works out better for us. Thanks guys, love doing business with you all!
Does anyone but me marvel with this guy's delivery? He never says "um" "uh" "you know" "like", just straight forward perfect use of the Queen's English. It's rare these days to find anyone that speaks as well as this man does. Great job, great video!
Lonnie, you should see how many takes we do! I'd love to say we just smash this out first time but this 20 minute tutorial the best part of 5 days of filming! We film, it, edit, check it, discuss it, do it again, and again. It's definitely a process!
@@easycompositestv well thank you for being that way! it definitely shows and comes across brilliantly...there's a reason you have so many subs and views! - long time subscriber
I really like the level of detail given here. So many things normally get tied up as "proprietary trade secrets" that no one ever learns about. As someone who's done research work with chopped carbon fiber composites (look up geopolymers for high temperature use) I'd say to try out planetary, high-shear mixing with ~3mm chopped carbon fiber to make castable materials. After a few minutes of planetary mixing, vibration will allow the composite to be easily poured/cast to shape.
@@robbiejames1540 True, but it's not fair to compare strength of castable composites to continuous fiber composites. The versatility of being able to make any shape that you can 3d print a mold for opens up a lot of options for castables. Some of my samples were getting 50+ MPa in tension at 500°C, and could maintain that for short duration up to 1000°C in oxidizing environments (oxygen burns up the carbon fiber at those temps).
I'm shocked at how well these came out! I'm really looking forward to the strength testing video as I think that will be even more surprising! Well done done guys, great video!
Yes the first few parts I made with this simple method surprised me too! the mechanical testing video should really help to show the strengths (and weaknesses) of this material.
@@Mediamarked Thanks for the comment, yes it would be interesting to get the data from a composites novice (but 3D printing expert) I'll try to reach out to CNC Kitchen to see if he wants to give the process a go, I'm pretty confident even in the hands of a first-timer it will outperform any thermoplastic printing material. Thanks for the suggestion.
@@easycompositestv Thank you for the amazing videos! Yes, a collaboration between you and CNC Kitchen would be great. While at it, it would also be nice to see how dimensionally accurate/straight the 3D printed patterns themselves are (which of course has a lot to do with the printer itself and the printed material) and how the forged carbon parts compare to them. I suppose there are a lot of applications that depend on accuracy and for home use with less special tools at one’s disposal it would be great if a 3D printed pattern or mould could get “close enough” to a milled aluminium pattern or mould.
This is a goldmine. Anyone willing to do the research on what parts/items that are in high demand could make an enormous amount of money. I don't even care that they had an ad for their stuff at the end. The knowledge gained is well worth their sales pitch.
the whole video is an ad and it fucking works, because now i'm thinking "what can i do with forged carbon fiber" instead of "why would i make something out of forged carbon fiber" couple things make it way worse, like the kit itself being not that expensive and already owning a 3D printer
I’m trying to start a side business building composite model gliders and your channel is a wealth of invaluable information already so thank you! Two things I’d love to see: 1. a video dedicated to surface finish and techniques for painting parts in the mold. 2. A USA based warehouse to purchase your products or cheaper shipping options to the states Keep up the great work!
Thanks for your kind words HighFlyer, we hope to make some videos on surface finishing and UAV wing construction in the near future as we agree that they would be very useful. A USA warehouse is something that we would love to do in the future as we know we have a lot of support over there.
You guys are a miracle for people with the desire to learn composite work. I can’t wait to see your clear coating video!! That is something I’ve always fought with!
The way marketing should be done. The product wasnt shoved down our throat at any point, he shows you the product and spends the rest of the time teaching us something. Obviously im going to want to purchase their product, I wish more companies could figure this out.
Thanks for the feedback and we are glad you like the way we do our videos. Of course we are a business, but our videos we always aim to have a process or technique shown so that people can learn from it, and of course show case some of our products in the process.
I have to say that you guys are absolutely awesome! Always enjoy watching Paul explain different processes with such detail. Would you guys ever consider doing affordable online classes that are even more in-depth? I think that is something that you'd be able to, not only be even more precise, but also give some kind of ''progress'' for the viewer (beginner-intermediate-advanced). Maybe even adding some kind of ''forum'' threads with the classes which makes it possible to talk with other students and help each other. If you ever do that, let us know on RUclips, I'll be the first to enroll :)
Hi Mekanysm, Online courses is something that we have considered a few times and definitely something we would like to offer, composites being such a broad and practical topic would be quite difficult to get the balance of information correct. but if we can work out a good structure for some classes our RUclips followers would be the first to hear about it.
Wow this is so awesome. Thanks for showing a 3D printed 3 part mold that seems like a really awesome way to build certain parts you'd normally need to machine or weld.
@@KimmyR3 Depends on what you want to make. If it's your own part you have to make them yourself and determine the appropriate split locations. If you want to make the exact same lever they provide the CAD docs in the description.
Doing this for already some years. And also been implementing directional fibers into a part for even better performance. ITs really cool process. p.s. drilling small air and resign escape holes are also great option for some parts.
you spoke too much sense . bearly any comment activity.. Many see the bs . being sold the same product several times over.. They'll just add any buzz word then re sell it ''forged'' 😂 as you said they arnt doing anything new . 👍🏻
I watched your video and got some great tips for making forged carbon. I was having a really hard time releasing types. However, when I compressed the cling wrap I use in the kitchen by putting it in a mold, I was able to release it surprisingly smoothly. No tools were required and it could be opened by hand. I believe this is the smoothest method.
@@abdelkarimmiloud3401 You can find exact costs, including shipping on our easycomposites.co.uk website (for UK and rest of world customers) or easycomposites.eu (for EU customers); simply add the kit to your basket (you'll find it in the starter kit list) and then select your shipping country from the list :)
I appreciate the 3D print design tips, not a lot of people talk about designing for fff manufacturing. If you’re experiencing bulging at the edge of prints, try tuning your print speed and acceleration because there will be a sweet spot between slow and fast that eliminates a lot of artifacts
Well I waited for this video since your last video, on a serious note I learn a lot from you guys and thanks to Paul for not letting us take off our eyes from the screen, easy composites, I've been dreaming to build my own car and you guys are my go to in near future.. Hat's off🙂
Wow wow wow. Just visited your website and realized how cheap that was I’m really impressed I have a 3d printer and really want to try this😊 subscribed
These are always the best and most comprehensive videos. Paul - you are so clear and understandable. Thanks to all at Easy Composites who produce these first-rate youtube tutorials. I am now living in the states, so don't have such easy access to these products, but keep the tutorials coming!
Thanks Richard, appreciate the support and feedback. We're looking into some promising looking options to make our shipping into the US much more affordable. Nothing we can announce just yet but we are working hard on it.
made a two-hand no-pressure wet layed handle for my 25 kilo custom electric unicycle it weighs 100 grams and has extra stiffness i need, this method is a key to success
Mind blowing content as always, I really want to try this process out! I kind of want to get into composites, but as I'd be doing it as a hobby at home I worry quite a bit about safety. Do you have any good tips for how to work with composites safely in a home or at-home-workshop environment, and what the minimum requirements might be with regards to being in a ventilated area etc? Like for example could I do this on the balcony of an appartment, or is it simply not feasible to do anything like this safely without a proper workshop?
Epoxy is very safe and is low odour - don't try polyester resins in your house or you will regret it! For epoxy just wear nitrile gloves and glasses for any splashes. No need for respirators etc when doing these processes, but when cutting/sanding/trimming you should wear a good quality dust mask/respirator.
At a very minimum you need a well ventilated work area, PPE like gloves, eye protection etc. Generally you would not want to do this work in confined spaces or living areas of your home. If you have lung problems or allergies to epoxy then certainly we would not recommend working in your home.
@@jonathanw2036 You're right on those polys. Full charcoal breather and windows open with a fan evacuating and the garage will still smell awful. For cured part cleanup without mess and bad breathables, wet sanding is a great option too. I do most of my trimming right over a shop-vac nozzle (and a very fine particulate filter in there) because it not only takes care of the dust breathing problem; it evacuates the dust better from the part so I can see what I'm doing.
It would be interesting to see the chop strand bike lever bend tested in comparison to a one forged with a continuous tow (as much as you can fit continuous fibers into a tapered part like this)
Well you'll be pleased to hear that's exactly what we'll be doing in the next video, chopped forged vs continuous (optimised) vs printed continuous carbon fibre vs carbon filled nylon print vs aluminium.
I worry that a carbon fiber brake lever would be too dangerous for a mountain/bmx bike. Although it has the advantage of being lightweight and very rigid, it's also brittle. If you crashed and happened to pull to hard (or something of the sort), the lever could snap in the middle and could slice your hand open. I've talked with some BMX and scooter riders about this exact concern but with their handlebars.
@@nickbell3546 I imagine this would be more useful for motorcycles, they want the lever as stiff as possible, and when you wreck at speed it breaks pretty much any lever (even dropping them from standstill the metal doesn't withstand the 400-500 pound bike landing full force on the lever, so it needs to be replaced and very common to see broken levers). The alternative is you can weld aluminum levers, but its something of a safety concern (mostly because I suck at welding), though I've done it for my dirt-bikes lever, did a deep V chamfer on all sides on both pieces and slowly filled in. Its probably not economically practical solution for most though (you have to have an aluminum welder), cheaper to just buy new ones. Its not a part you want to be driving damaged and find out it snaps when you really need it when you're hammering the brakes, haha!
Absolutely top notch content. Excellent presentation, explanation, and examples. Very interested in creating some carbon fiber parts from 3D printed molds, and when I do, you can bet I’ll be buying from Easy Composites. Bravo guys.
Massive fan on the channel. Also surprised myself with a Forged Carbon kit for Christmas, gave it go right away and I'm blown away how easy it was to follow the steps in the video. Super happy with the first part, really in love with its looks. My next order of tools, resins, cleaners, etc. on your website has already been placed. Keep these videos coming! A satisfied customer
I saw this video for the first time a few months ago and it blew my mind! I was instantly a lifetime subscriber and couldn't stop thinking of all the things I could do with this process. So I thought id start with a side cover for my motorcycle. I got it modeled and 3d printed it to verify fit and look. After everything looked good I made a model of the mold. It's got a 3-degree draft on the piston section. It probably could have a few less real sharp angles but other than that it's the same idea as yours except a lot smaller. Where I am running into issues is when I try to separate the mold The first time I tried The mold wasn't properly designed so it was completely glued together. I fixed the mold this time so it started to separate in certain areas but I mostly had to chisel it off still. I'm suspect of a few things but would like some input. The first thing is that I'm using a resin printer (MSLA) for the superior print quality. I've tried 3 different resins (abs-like, plant-based, and regular) and they won't ever properly separate. The second thing I'm thinking is maybe the mold release spray I'm using. As I live in the US your products are a bit trickier to get so I got a can of Alumilite Amazing Mold Release. Im not sure if it's quite applicable to this. The third and final possibility is the resin I'm using. It's sold as epoxy resin on Amazon. I've tried to do research as to if epoxy resin is epoxy resin and everything I see says yes so I thought it'd be ok, but maybe it's bonding to the mold more than it should. I am considering ordering the kt from you guys so I can rule out two of those things but it would be nice to know if you guys know that resin printers won't work for the process. I have an FDM at that point and will settle for more post-processing at that point. Thanks again for any help and keep up the amazing work!
In theory a print from a resin printer should work so you might need to look at the release agent that you're using. You could always mock up a test with the FDM printer as a proof of theory.
Perfect filming, narration, information, clarity, absolutely delightful to watch. I don't think I'll be making any parts using this method anytime soon but I enjoyed watching it so much! Thank you!
I honestly don't think I've ever come across a channel that just keeps producing more and more mind blowing content. I'm without a doubt keen to try this method out!! Looks messy and kind of a pain but the end result is fantastic. Can't wait to for the continuation of these episodes
Thank you for the feedback. It really is a great process (for the right parts). You're right that it can be messy, on the video we don't hold back - we could have made it look tidier but it's best to show it like it is. That said, it's fast, it's reliable, almost zero waste and the performance of the finished parts is really impressive. Would really look forward to hearing how you get on : )
Are you waiting for a long cure? Please show the test. I posted this on a FB group and people were very skeptical, claiming the forged name (I know you didn't coin it) was a misnomer. Let's show them it's a killer way to created a trick strong part.
@@karlInSanDiego I can confirm that they didn't even watch the video usually the "forged" is refered to a regular prepreg wrap, so THEY are the ones using it incorrectly this tech was invented by Lamborghini and Boeing the forged carbon fiber parts that I made compare in mechanical properties to machined aluminum (same with the Boeing paper data) the advantage of these parts is that the load can be applied in any direction and still have the same properties, unlike traditional carbon fiber (which is strong in only one direction, although much stronger than forged)
I found that charging more gets rid of those customers right away, at the same time the customers that I did have were better. They appreciated my work and time more
Another way which is quicker and a lot less messy is to coat the inside of the mould as normal and stuff it with dry fibre, clamp both halves and fill it with resin using hydraulic pressure from a dedicated grease gun. All you need to do is ensure you have risers built into your mould, which can also be flexible such as RTV Silicone which doesn't need a release agent. I've been doing it that way for over 25 years.
While that process sounds very convenient, I'd worry that you'd need to place and size risers/vents really carefully to ensure no dry spots - have you ever encountered this?
You could also mention how to clean the tools afterwards. None of the methods I found online worked for this specific resin, resulting in five destroyed brushes allready
Acetone before the resin begins to cure is the only method that works but eventually the brushes will degrade so in many applications they are considered limited life or consumable.
These are easily the best instructional videos on youtube. Just the right pacing and information density. It demystifies working with composites and makes me feel like I could do this at home and succeed first go. I particularly like the applications of 3d-printing. Thanks! I’m pretty sure I’ll buy a kit from you guys.
Great vid, and looks like an awesome product / technique!! I know my way around a workshop, and have a little experience with resin, but never made anything close to precision tooling before, you make it look and sound so easy it gives me a little confidence, now all I need is the motivation!
That’s absolutely beautiful work that you have done there, I’ve always wanted to make carbon fibre parts before but always thought of the heat setting resins and I don’t have the machine to do that. I’m a FRP laminator and have made parts with that using both polyester and epoxy resins, but this gives me a bit more confidence to give it a try. Also I didn’t know that I could get that chopped carbon fibre material, I’ve always thought of the matting or cloth. Next time I’m at a store where I can buy some more materials for laminating I’ll ask about it. Thanks for this wonderful video.
hi Paul! hope you're doing well. i've been eagerly anticipating your follow up video and always looking forward to more of these fantastic videos in general, and its starting to feel like a long time since we've heard from you. just checking in to say that i hope everything is ok! this video inspired me to buy a whole bunch of material from you guys (kits were sold out so i went big 😀), but honestly i also haven't gotten around to using it. its been cold and my printer needed some TLC, but spring has arrived now and i'm super excited to get started. looking forward to learning more on the subject when you find the time. until then i'm gonna start playing around and wish you all the best!
This channel alone is the proof of concept for my dream career that I sent to my parents so they dont think its crazy to try and start this myself, thank you. By concept I meant making carbon parts for sale etc not making a channel lol
Wow! Excellent tutorial! Presented in an amazing way! Such a pleasure to watch! Keep up the wonderful masterpiece! Thank you so much for the wealth of information! What a great instructor!
@@tedwingate I'd love to take a stab at that if I can hunt down all the materials I'd need. It's hard to find the skinning cloth without adhesive on the back
Depends on how you define strength. If it's tensile strength, then long fibers will be many times stronger than short ones connected just by resin. The bending and compression though will be pretty much the same.
Incredible material. I bought one of those kits and I will try to make one of those levers to learn and then make my own projects. Let's see how it goes. Thanks!
looking forward to the comparison with aluminum. If it work, this could be a great way to replace aluminum/steel parts for someone who do not have a CNC mill, for example to make bike dropouts etc
As always, love this content. Just a quick question, when you say that you can leave the finish as raw carbon without clear coat, would that be okay if the part was in a high UV exposed area such as a part for a road bike? I love that matt finish also but unsure if it would degrade in UV? Well done Easy Composites.
It would be fine if you use a UV stable resin. You can always spray a matte clear coat over the part for the same result. Carbon specific paint is not required if you use a adhesion promoter like you would with any plastic or resin parts.
Hi Tim, as Bryce has commented it would be fine, our IN2 is very UV stable, and to be honest even if the resin wasn't that stable the carbon would block the UV right on the surface so it would not cause serious degradation.
All epoxy resins from all manufacturers degrade with exposure to UV. A road bike stored indoors would not be a high UV application, though. Also, the brake lever, being a thick part, would not be harmed by minor degradation of the outer layer of epoxy. But I would not recommend it for parts that are outdoors in full sun 365 days per year. If that is the intended use, some kind of clear coat should be applied (e.g., two part polyurethane clear coat). For thin walled, highly stressed parts (such as on boats), it is probably best to preserve the epoxy by painting over it with high gloss white paint.
WOW, awesome that E.C. has a channel ! I bought stuff from them like them like about ten years ago and and I look forward to watch videos and makeing cool stuff ! ! My product stalled years ago because of my personal / economic problems, but I am confident that the properties of thee material they sold me will , and can produce unexpected results even more greater than any expectations ! 💥💥💥💥💥
I was fucking around searching stuff about CF to make some motorcycle parts, I was joking about making them with my brother, I saw your website I saw your explanation and fuck, imma do it
Been doing this technique for a decade or so making high performance carbon propellors for rc planes... The only thing I do differently is to mix the resin and the chopped tow together before adding to the mould. Way easier and cleaner, and allows you to get an accurate resin to tow ratio
We found it easier to wet out the fibres in situ rather than mix with the resin in a pot. It was easier for us to get the fibres where we wanted. It could be done that way but you would be relying a bit more on the initial compression to press fibres tightly into recesses and detail.
This is so awesome, I remember 15yr ago how you had to scroll endlessly through forums and pick the brains of old timers who generally didn't want to share "secrets" to figure stuff out lol
Haha, thanks. Appreciate the comment. Yes, RUclips has been a total game-changer for the sharing of expert (and amateur) advice. We use it as a resource a lot ourselves, it often feels like the best of the internet now!
the idea that you can make full production quality carbon fiber parts with just a fiber kit and 3d printer is so cool! imagine custom-shaping brake levers for your bike or stuff like that.
Thanks for the feedback Thomas. We do spend a lot of time and effort producing these videos so it's great to hear that we're getting it right and the results are worth it.
@@easycompositestv Yeah, probably not exactly what you intended but whenever I have to replace something durable in the future or create something from scratch, this will defenitely be the way for me to go. Video and URL bookmarked.
OK, I finally got round to making something using this process, in fact the part is currently setting and I have a feeling its not going to come out too well. Let me share my experience and perhaps offer some tips (or put another way what I felt went wrong...) I've made a rotor which is essentially a disk of carbon fibre with 12 holes in it around the edge (on reflection this part is probably better just being made with some stacked CF sheet if I can get it cut perfectly round.) The disk is 6mm thick and has a volume of 34cm cubed once the magnet holes are subtracted. I thought I had made some mistake when I weighed the amount of CF needed because it filled the paper cup in the Kit and these cups are big, cut CF Tow is like candy floss! After re-checking my calculations I proceeded... I've sprayed all the insides with the provided wax which can go on quite thick, I managed to thin it out a bit, hopefully not too much... I've initially brushed the inside with epoxy then started 'loading', I think next time I will just mix the epoxy and CF together and apply that for speed. I started stipling the dry CF fibres in but eventually I was 'wading around with my finger tips' pressing the damn stuff into every nook and cranny, my part is probably too detailed to be honest and the voids are probably best drilled out as I had to keep clearing the mixture off so the mould would close without trapping too much CF mix. In general even though my calculations seemed OK I would have preferred even more epoxy in the mix (I guess this is at the expense of strength if overdone.) I got none of the 'oozing' seen in the video, in fact it seemed to have the consistency of 'damp hair' rather than a more liquid runniness, perhaps this is correct, on the video it doesn't look too runny either apart from when initially mixed with epoxy... I did get a chance to lay down some re-enforcing CF Tow fibres along the axis were most tensional force was going to be generated and I think this is going to help the part a lot (I've seen the follow up video to this one and parts re-enforced in this way can be up to twice as strong as aluminium...) In my case (rotor for BLDC motor) that's around the circumference and CF Tow 'spokes' radially from centre. This process is ideal for solid complex shapes with not too many 'fiddly thin bits' like the handle. I suspect my part is going to have some voids in it where the mix didn't get into properly. 24 hours will tell!
This is brilliant! Once I move to my new place I can't wait to start printing some molds for small parts like mud guard or bicycle computer mounts for my new bike!
this is insanely impressive, quality to detail and workmanship is top notch Great idea to start a company if you had passion and money to spend, just off of these videos lol well done.
I got 3d printer some time ago and this is excellent video to show some real engineering application. I am really looking forward for strenght testing of those components!
On 3D prints, you can print them as close to hollow as you want and then fill them with resin. It's in the vicinity of any person that would make such a part because they already work with resin. The finite part is strong enough to be used to bend steel at sub 4 mm thicknesses and even above that in various applications/forms.
This video has given me a creative high from all the potential projects it just opened me up to. I'm elated with this channel 🎉 I should be doing my engineering hw, but this channel has really captured my interest 😄
Have seen your videos for years over and over again, and finally i ordered a kit. The first part I'll try to make is a tripod landing gear for a drone with a red cam. Can't wait to get started :D Keep on your good work!
It's great to hear you've taken the plunge! Let us know how you get on, it would be great to see some more parts that customers have made with the kit. We've seen some good examples already but it's fascinating to see the different components that people are making.
Well, it's great that you've found us now. Please check out our back-catalogue and make sure you're subbed to find out about our new vids; they're not as frequent as we'd like but we put a lot of work into them :)
I've been subscribed for a couple years now and I really appreciate the consistent detailed instructions and inspiration you all deliver. After watching this, I'm motivated to attempt to make a forged CF part for one of my project cars lol. Thank You!!!
how does this guy not have more subscribers!!! iv been watching these videos and buying stuff from him for a while and its got to be the best channel on youtube to learn about this stuff!!
This channel is like free gold.
No it isn't.
Free gold on the other hand is like free gold
suspicious?
Gold leafed horse puckey, I think you mean.
The guy doing these videos for Easy Composites Ltd is like free gold for them.
This is the kind of video RUclips was made for. Now I have to find something to make out of forged CF...
Why am I not surprised to see you here? A forged CF Jaguar on the nose of the Jag would be bonkers! All hail the algorithm!
Maybe a nice set of spats?
That new Honda motor needs some forged CF parts.
You can literally make almost anything. Dash component, brackets, fuse box covers, center caps, door handles, ect
Can you please drop the boring electric stuff and build actual cool cars again?
Dude, at first I was like this is an advert for a company. But the fact you put such detailed instruction on use is what enables people to try these for themselves / start researching.
Genuinely looking forward to the testing, as someone just generally interested in engineering/design, but with no formal education in the area. This is pretty cool.
Thanks Spike, yes, we’re not just producing adverts. Sure, we do sell composite materials, as well as make them, and make equipment, but mainly we love engineering and composites in particular and we’ve devoted the last 15 years to sharing this passion! We wish you all the best with your forays into these subjects 👍
@@easycompositestv The combination of instructional video and 'all-in' kits is a winner IMO. Its like doing night classes, I look forward to more! Keep 'em up.
@@nickoutram6939 Appreciate the comment Nick, hopefully you enjoy the other upcoming videos too!
It was sort of an advert but I must have this!!
I've watched these guys' videos for years, and have used their awesome product line here in the US for my drones for years, and am SO grateful! Such an incredible operation, combining training and entry level packages to get in the game. Shipping costs can be a monster, but I don't have to buy everything in 5 or 50 gallon drums like some companies require, so it works out better for us. Thanks guys, love doing business with you all!
Really appreciate the comment Curtis and the kind words, thank you for your continued support!
At least you don't have the dreaded 20% (YES Twenty percent!!) VAT to pay on every purchase. :o(
My favorite video is still the one where the bottle makes the fart noise
Did you just order off their website for thebus
These videos and the kit cost has opened an entirely new World! With a 3D printer and your products you legitimately have a small business.
Does anyone but me marvel with this guy's delivery? He never says "um" "uh" "you know" "like", just straight forward perfect use of the Queen's English. It's rare these days to find anyone that speaks as well as this man does.
Great job, great video!
Lonnie, you should see how many takes we do! I'd love to say we just smash this out first time but this 20 minute tutorial the best part of 5 days of filming! We film, it, edit, check it, discuss it, do it again, and again. It's definitely a process!
@@easycompositestv A very professional and educational video. Your efforts paid off.
Serious toastmaster quality presenter.
Oh and CF strong.
@@easycompositestv well thank you for being that way! it definitely shows and comes across brilliantly...there's a reason you have so many subs and views! - long time subscriber
3:25
I really like the level of detail given here. So many things normally get tied up as "proprietary trade secrets" that no one ever learns about. As someone who's done research work with chopped carbon fiber composites (look up geopolymers for high temperature use) I'd say to try out planetary, high-shear mixing with ~3mm chopped carbon fiber to make castable materials. After a few minutes of planetary mixing, vibration will allow the composite to be easily poured/cast to shape.
3mm sounds like it would probably be significantly weaker without some continuous fibre later in, though?
@@robbiejames1540 True, but it's not fair to compare strength of castable composites to continuous fiber composites. The versatility of being able to make any shape that you can 3d print a mold for opens up a lot of options for castables. Some of my samples were getting 50+ MPa in tension at 500°C, and could maintain that for short duration up to 1000°C in oxidizing environments (oxygen burns up the carbon fiber at those temps).
I'm shocked at how well these came out! I'm really looking forward to the strength testing video as I think that will be even more surprising! Well done done guys, great video!
Yes the first few parts I made with this simple method surprised me too! the mechanical testing video should really help to show the strengths (and weaknesses) of this material.
In the case of the flywheel cover it's a no brainer that it'd be stronger than the plastic original.
seems this only pays out when doing it on the scale of mass production?
@@Mediamarked Thanks for the comment, yes it would be interesting to get the data from a composites novice (but 3D printing expert) I'll try to reach out to CNC Kitchen to see if he wants to give the process a go, I'm pretty confident even in the hands of a first-timer it will outperform any thermoplastic printing material. Thanks for the suggestion.
@@easycompositestv Thank you for the amazing videos! Yes, a collaboration between you and CNC Kitchen would be great. While at it, it would also be nice to see how dimensionally accurate/straight the 3D printed patterns themselves are (which of course has a lot to do with the printer itself and the printed material) and how the forged carbon parts compare to them. I suppose there are a lot of applications that depend on accuracy and for home use with less special tools at one’s disposal it would be great if a 3D printed pattern or mould could get “close enough” to a milled aluminium pattern or mould.
This is a goldmine. Anyone willing to do the research on what parts/items that are in high demand could make an enormous amount of money. I don't even care that they had an ad for their stuff at the end. The knowledge gained is well worth their sales pitch.
the whole video is an ad
and it fucking works, because now i'm thinking "what can i do with forged carbon fiber" instead of "why would i make something out of forged carbon fiber"
couple things make it way worse, like the kit itself being not that expensive and already owning a 3D printer
@@ser_igel It is. They could have kept it only for people that buy their products though.
I have a 3D printer. Using it to make strong, functional parts with it has always been a struggle, i feel like this will be a match made in heaven.
I’m trying to start a side business building composite model gliders and your channel is a wealth of invaluable information already so thank you! Two things I’d love to see:
1. a video dedicated to surface finish and techniques for painting parts in the mold.
2. A USA based warehouse to purchase your products or cheaper shipping options to the states
Keep up the great work!
Thanks for your kind words HighFlyer, we hope to make some videos on surface finishing and UAV wing construction in the near future as we agree that they would be very useful. A USA warehouse is something that we would love to do in the future as we know we have a lot of support over there.
Looking forward to it! Thanks!
I would also be very happy to see uav wing construction in ur channel
You guys are a miracle for people with the desire to learn composite work. I can’t wait to see your clear coating video!! That is something I’ve always fought with!
Hopefully our future video will answer all of your questions, if not please get in touch :)
This whole series is my comfort watch.
The way marketing should be done. The product wasnt shoved down our throat at any point, he shows you the product and spends the rest of the time teaching us something. Obviously im going to want to purchase their product, I wish more companies could figure this out.
Thanks for the feedback and we are glad you like the way we do our videos. Of course we are a business, but our videos we always aim to have a process or technique shown so that people can learn from it, and of course show case some of our products in the process.
Free gold and an absolute masterclass in what marketing should look like! I want to watch it because it is educational and entertaining. Epic!
I have to say that you guys are absolutely awesome! Always enjoy watching Paul explain different processes with such detail. Would you guys ever consider doing affordable online classes that are even more in-depth? I think that is something that you'd be able to, not only be even more precise, but also give some kind of ''progress'' for the viewer (beginner-intermediate-advanced). Maybe even adding some kind of ''forum'' threads with the classes which makes it possible to talk with other students and help each other. If you ever do that, let us know on RUclips, I'll be the first to enroll :)
Hi Mekanysm, Online courses is something that we have considered a few times and definitely something we would like to offer, composites being such a broad and practical topic would be quite difficult to get the balance of information correct. but if we can work out a good structure for some classes our RUclips followers would be the first to hear about it.
@@easycompositestv count me in !
Scottish then? =)
Wow this is so awesome. Thanks for showing a 3D printed 3 part mold that seems like a really awesome way to build certain parts you'd normally need to machine or weld.
Glad you enjoyed the video Dejay!
@@easycompositestv do you have a video on how to draw those molds in Solidworks?
@@KimmyR3 hi, I have che same question, do you find the solution to draw those mold?
@@KimmyR3 Depends on what you want to make. If it's your own part you have to make them yourself and determine the appropriate split locations. If you want to make the exact same lever they provide the CAD docs in the description.
@@jensenmiller6410 Thanks, i actually missed it on the descriptions. i'd use them as excercise models in CAD
Doing this for already some years. And also been implementing directional fibers into a part for even better performance. ITs really cool process. p.s. drilling small air and resign escape holes are also great option for some parts.
you spoke too much sense . bearly any comment activity..
Many see the bs . being sold the same product several times over..
They'll just add any buzz word then re sell it ''forged'' 😂 as you said they arnt doing anything new . 👍🏻
I watched your video and got some great tips for making forged carbon.
I was having a really hard time releasing types.
However, when I compressed the cling wrap I use in the kitchen by putting it in a mold, I was able to release it surprisingly smoothly.
No tools were required and it could be opened by hand.
I believe this is the smoothest method.
It depends on the clingfilm brand, some release fine from epoxy, some do not.
Some people are God given teachers. He teaches such a liberating technology.
Such good videos as always! Clear, concise and full of tips and advice. Brilliant.
Thank you very much, appreciated.
Didn't even know this was the kind of thing that was DIYable. Super cool stuff, the possibilities are endless
Super fascinating, thanks for sharing the process!
Glad you enjoyed the video, thank you for commenting!
@@easycompositestv bonjours monsieur vous vidéo sont tres instructives et patiente, je voudrais savoir ce kit de moulage coûte combien ?
@@abdelkarimmiloud3401 You can find exact costs, including shipping on our easycomposites.co.uk website (for UK and rest of world customers) or easycomposites.eu (for EU customers); simply add the kit to your basket (you'll find it in the starter kit list) and then select your shipping country from the list :)
@@abdelkarimmiloud3401 the kit can be located on our website here; www.easycomposites.eu/forged-carbon-fibre-kit
LOL WSG DANK
I appreciate the 3D print design tips, not a lot of people talk about designing for fff manufacturing. If you’re experiencing bulging at the edge of prints, try tuning your print speed and acceleration because there will be a sweet spot between slow and fast that eliminates a lot of artifacts
I'm glad we finally reached the point of home made, DIY carbon fiber parts!
The possibilities are endless.
We hope the possibilities keep increasing too!
I love how one of our most high-tech materials is like "just eyeball it and stuff things in there".
Well I waited for this video since your last video, on a serious note I learn a lot from you guys and thanks to Paul for not letting us take off our eyes from the screen, easy composites, I've been dreaming to build my own car and you guys are my go to in near future.. Hat's off🙂
Hi Jeet, thanks for the kind words, I hope we can help you with the technical support and materials on your car build!
Just used the kit yesterday. Awe-some! Really. It's so comprehensive and a perfect use, especially for educational practical assignments.
What I'd love to see is a video on what would go into setting up a basic workshop, including how much space, worktops, clothing and PSE etc.
Wow wow wow. Just visited your website and realized how cheap that was I’m really impressed I have a 3d printer and really want to try this😊 subscribed
All of these videos are extremely well presented, massively informative, and wonderfully entertaining. I look forward to each one.
Thank you very much, really appreciate your feedback.
These are always the best and most comprehensive videos. Paul - you are so clear and understandable. Thanks to all at Easy Composites who produce these first-rate youtube tutorials. I am now living in the states, so don't have such easy access to these products, but keep the tutorials coming!
Thanks Richard, appreciate the support and feedback. We're looking into some promising looking options to make our shipping into the US much more affordable. Nothing we can announce just yet but we are working hard on it.
The depth of the explanation is incredible! Very informative and very well done (and the parts look incredible as well!). Thank you
Thanks a lot, appreciate it 👍
made a two-hand no-pressure wet layed handle for my 25 kilo custom electric unicycle it weighs 100 grams and has extra stiffness i need, this method is a key to success
The hosts energy is infectious. This video made me so excited to start making stuff. >.
Mind blowing content as always, I really want to try this process out! I kind of want to get into composites, but as I'd be doing it as a hobby at home I worry quite a bit about safety. Do you have any good tips for how to work with composites safely in a home or at-home-workshop environment, and what the minimum requirements might be with regards to being in a ventilated area etc? Like for example could I do this on the balcony of an appartment, or is it simply not feasible to do anything like this safely without a proper workshop?
Epoxy is very safe and is low odour - don't try polyester resins in your house or you will regret it! For epoxy just wear nitrile gloves and glasses for any splashes. No need for respirators etc when doing these processes, but when cutting/sanding/trimming you should wear a good quality dust mask/respirator.
At a very minimum you need a well ventilated work area, PPE like gloves, eye protection etc. Generally you would not want to do this work in confined spaces or living areas of your home. If you have lung problems or allergies to epoxy then certainly we would not recommend working in your home.
@@jonathanw2036 You're right on those polys. Full charcoal breather and windows open with a fan evacuating and the garage will still smell awful. For cured part cleanup without mess and bad breathables, wet sanding is a great option too. I do most of my trimming right over a shop-vac nozzle (and a very fine particulate filter in there) because it not only takes care of the dust breathing problem; it evacuates the dust better from the part so I can see what I'm doing.
It would be interesting to see the chop strand bike lever bend tested in comparison to a one forged with a continuous tow (as much as you can fit continuous fibers into a tapered part like this)
Well you'll be pleased to hear that's exactly what we'll be doing in the next video, chopped forged vs continuous (optimised) vs printed continuous carbon fibre vs carbon filled nylon print vs aluminium.
I worry that a carbon fiber brake lever would be too dangerous for a mountain/bmx bike. Although it has the advantage of being lightweight and very rigid, it's also brittle. If you crashed and happened to pull to hard (or something of the sort), the lever could snap in the middle and could slice your hand open. I've talked with some BMX and scooter riders about this exact concern but with their handlebars.
@@nickbell3546 you're right. Adding aramid fibres pretty much solves this problem, but I don't see it being done outside of motorsports.
@@nickbell3546 I imagine this would be more useful for motorcycles, they want the lever as stiff as possible, and when you wreck at speed it breaks pretty much any lever (even dropping them from standstill the metal doesn't withstand the 400-500 pound bike landing full force on the lever, so it needs to be replaced and very common to see broken levers).
The alternative is you can weld aluminum levers, but its something of a safety concern (mostly because I suck at welding), though I've done it for my dirt-bikes lever, did a deep V chamfer on all sides on both pieces and slowly filled in. Its probably not economically practical solution for most though (you have to have an aluminum welder), cheaper to just buy new ones. Its not a part you want to be driving damaged and find out it snaps when you really need it when you're hammering the brakes, haha!
@@nickbell3546 *laughs in motorcycle enthusiasts*
Absolutely top notch content. Excellent presentation, explanation, and examples. Very interested in creating some carbon fiber parts from 3D printed molds, and when I do, you can bet I’ll be buying from Easy Composites. Bravo guys.
Massive fan on the channel. Also surprised myself with a Forged Carbon kit for Christmas, gave it go right away and I'm blown away how easy it was to follow the steps in the video. Super happy with the first part, really in love with its looks. My next order of tools, resins, cleaners, etc. on your website has already been placed. Keep these videos coming!
A satisfied customer
Very glad you enjoyed the video and were able to make a part from the kit. Hopefully you will continue to enjoy composites.
I saw this video for the first time a few months ago and it blew my mind! I was instantly a lifetime subscriber and couldn't stop thinking of all the things I could do with this process. So I thought id start with a side cover for my motorcycle. I got it modeled and 3d printed it to verify fit and look. After everything looked good I made a model of the mold. It's got a 3-degree draft on the piston section. It probably could have a few less real sharp angles but other than that it's the same idea as yours except a lot smaller. Where I am running into issues is when I try to separate the mold The first time I tried The mold wasn't properly designed so it was completely glued together. I fixed the mold this time so it started to separate in certain areas but I mostly had to chisel it off still. I'm suspect of a few things but would like some input. The first thing is that I'm using a resin printer (MSLA) for the superior print quality. I've tried 3 different resins (abs-like, plant-based, and regular) and they won't ever properly separate. The second thing I'm thinking is maybe the mold release spray I'm using. As I live in the US your products are a bit trickier to get so I got a can of Alumilite Amazing Mold Release. Im not sure if it's quite applicable to this. The third and final possibility is the resin I'm using. It's sold as epoxy resin on Amazon. I've tried to do research as to if epoxy resin is epoxy resin and everything I see says yes so I thought it'd be ok, but maybe it's bonding to the mold more than it should. I am considering ordering the kt from you guys so I can rule out two of those things but it would be nice to know if you guys know that resin printers won't work for the process. I have an FDM at that point and will settle for more post-processing at that point. Thanks again for any help and keep up the amazing work!
In theory a print from a resin printer should work so you might need to look at the release agent that you're using. You could always mock up a test with the FDM printer as a proof of theory.
@@easycompositestv Ok aweesome! thanks for your help! I really apprecaite it
Perfect filming, narration, information, clarity, absolutely delightful to watch. I don't think I'll be making any parts using this method anytime soon but I enjoyed watching it so much! Thank you!
Really appreciate the awesome feedback, comments like this are the reason we continue to produce content!
I honestly don't think I've ever come across a channel that just keeps producing more and more mind blowing content. I'm without a doubt keen to try this method out!! Looks messy and kind of a pain but the end result is fantastic. Can't wait to for the continuation of these episodes
Thank you for the feedback. It really is a great process (for the right parts). You're right that it can be messy, on the video we don't hold back - we could have made it look tidier but it's best to show it like it is. That said, it's fast, it's reliable, almost zero waste and the performance of the finished parts is really impressive. Would really look forward to hearing how you get on : )
I can't wait for the test in the next video! As a Mechanical engineer this test are always fun to study and predict.
Thanks for all the good content.
Glad you are enjoying the series so far, hopefully the strength test doesn't disappoint!
Are you waiting for a long cure? Please show the test. I posted this on a FB group and people were very skeptical, claiming the forged name (I know you didn't coin it) was a misnomer. Let's show them it's a killer way to created a trick strong part.
@@karlInSanDiego I can confirm that they didn't even watch the video
usually the "forged" is refered to a regular prepreg wrap, so THEY are the ones using it incorrectly
this tech was invented by Lamborghini and Boeing
the forged carbon fiber parts that I made compare in mechanical properties to machined aluminum (same with the Boeing paper data)
the advantage of these parts is that the load can be applied in any direction and still have the same properties, unlike traditional carbon fiber (which is strong in only one direction, although much stronger than forged)
Just found your channel today. These are the most succinct and easy to follow tutorials I've ever seen
Glad you enjoy them and find them useful.
I found that charging more gets rid of those customers right away, at the same time the customers that I did have were better. They appreciated my work and time more
Another way which is quicker and a lot less messy is to coat the inside of the mould as normal and stuff it with dry fibre, clamp both halves and fill it with resin using hydraulic pressure from a dedicated grease gun. All you need to do is ensure you have risers built into your mould, which can also be flexible such as RTV Silicone which doesn't need a release agent. I've been doing it that way for over 25 years.
While that process sounds very convenient, I'd worry that you'd need to place and size risers/vents really carefully to ensure no dry spots - have you ever encountered this?
You could also mention how to clean the tools afterwards. None of the methods I found online worked for this specific resin, resulting in five destroyed brushes allready
Acetone before the resin begins to cure is the only method that works but eventually the brushes will degrade so in many applications they are considered limited life or consumable.
Those look AMAZING! Looks like it would be so fun and rewarding to do! One day i hope to be able to play around with this process and or vacuum molds
Thanks, get in touch when you want to give it a go we're always here to help.
These are easily the best instructional videos on youtube. Just the right pacing and information density. It demystifies working with composites and makes me feel like I could do this at home and succeed first go. I particularly like the applications of 3d-printing. Thanks! I’m pretty sure I’ll buy a kit from you guys.
Thank you, that’s really great feedback, we appreciate it. Look forward to hearing how you get on :)
Dude. Guitar scratch plates, pick guards, knobs, inlays made of this would be absolutely next level.
And may well be possible in many cases too!
Great vid, and looks like an awesome product / technique!! I know my way around a workshop, and have a little experience with resin, but never made anything close to precision tooling before, you make it look and sound so easy it gives me a little confidence, now all I need is the motivation!
Paul is a dangerous guy, he makes this look romantic and easy!
That’s absolutely beautiful work that you have done there, I’ve always wanted to make carbon fibre parts before but always thought of the heat setting resins and I don’t have the machine to do that. I’m a FRP laminator and have made parts with that using both polyester and epoxy resins, but this gives me a bit more confidence to give it a try. Also I didn’t know that I could get that chopped carbon fibre material, I’ve always thought of the matting or cloth. Next time I’m at a store where I can buy some more materials for laminating I’ll ask about it. Thanks for this wonderful video.
Glad you enjoyed the video David!
hi Paul! hope you're doing well. i've been eagerly anticipating your follow up video and always looking forward to more of these fantastic videos in general, and its starting to feel like a long time since we've heard from you. just checking in to say that i hope everything is ok!
this video inspired me to buy a whole bunch of material from you guys (kits were sold out so i went big 😀), but honestly i also haven't gotten around to using it. its been cold and my printer needed some TLC, but spring has arrived now and i'm super excited to get started.
looking forward to learning more on the subject when you find the time. until then i'm gonna start playing around and wish you all the best!
You can find the video here: ruclips.net/video/eewlYa6IQPg/видео.html
This channel alone is the proof of concept for my dream career that I sent to my parents so they dont think its crazy to try and start this myself, thank you. By concept I meant making carbon parts for sale etc not making a channel lol
We have many customers who started out at the DIY and hobbyist level then have created a business from there.
I love that you made new warehouse for eu customers. Thank you!
Not a problem, it was essential post Brexit as the "new" method of UK to EU sales was very slow and expensive.
this is like adult art attack i love it.
Wow! Excellent tutorial! Presented in an amazing way! Such a pleasure to watch! Keep up the wonderful masterpiece! Thank you so much for the wealth of information! What a great instructor!
Really appreciate the kind feedback!
Can't wait to see that strength comparison, this is a really cool technique!
Hey Chris! Carbon approach skis on the horizon?
I’d be willing to bet traditional carbon fiber layup is 2-3x stronger than forged carbon
@@Ccels5765 Without question.
@@tedwingate I'd love to take a stab at that if I can hunt down all the materials I'd need. It's hard to find the skinning cloth without adhesive on the back
Depends on how you define strength. If it's tensile strength, then long fibers will be many times stronger than short ones connected just by resin. The bending and compression though will be pretty much the same.
This is amazing. Truly a benchmark for other companies making diy stuff like this.
Glad you enjoyed Mikael!
Incredible material. I bought one of those kits and I will try to make one of those levers to learn and then make my own projects. Let's see how it goes. Thanks!
looking forward to the comparison with aluminum. If it work, this could be a great way to replace aluminum/steel parts for someone who do not have a CNC mill, for example to make bike dropouts etc
But not use it on parts where has oil or a lot of heat, it will attack the epoxy resing.
Thanks so much, super helpful. I'll be giving this a try soon.
Hi James, glad you enjoyed the video! We'd love to see the results!
As always, love this content. Just a quick question, when you say that you can leave the finish as raw carbon without clear coat, would that be okay if the part was in a high UV exposed area such as a part for a road bike? I love that matt finish also but unsure if it would degrade in UV? Well done Easy Composites.
It would be fine if you use a UV stable resin. You can always spray a matte clear coat over the part for the same result. Carbon specific paint is not required if you use a adhesion promoter like you would with any plastic or resin parts.
Hi Tim, as Bryce has commented it would be fine, our IN2 is very UV stable, and to be honest even if the resin wasn't that stable the carbon would block the UV right on the surface so it would not cause serious degradation.
AFAIK that's more of a concern with aramid fibres (And the other, cheaper, polymeric fibres)
All epoxy resins from all manufacturers degrade with exposure to UV. A road bike stored indoors would not be a high UV application, though. Also, the brake lever, being a thick part, would not be harmed by minor degradation of the outer layer of epoxy. But I would not recommend it for parts that are outdoors in full sun 365 days per year. If that is the intended use, some kind of clear coat should be applied (e.g., two part polyurethane clear coat). For thin walled, highly stressed parts (such as on boats), it is probably best to preserve the epoxy by painting over it with high gloss white paint.
WOW, awesome that E.C. has a channel ! I bought stuff from them like them like about ten years ago and and I look forward to watch videos and makeing cool stuff ! ! My product stalled years ago because of my personal / economic problems, but I am confident that the properties of thee material they sold me will , and can produce unexpected results even more greater than any expectations ! 💥💥💥💥💥
I never knew this was possible. I can do SO MUCH WITH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHERE HAS THIS BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE??????
I was fucking around searching stuff about CF to make some motorcycle parts, I was joking about making them with my brother, I saw your website I saw your explanation and fuck, imma do it
BRB making my own Lambo Performante
guess im buying now few kilos of chopped carbon and hydraulic press ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Go for it and let us know if we can help with your projects!
@@easycompositestv your tutorials are enough help mate :)
Been doing this technique for a decade or so making high performance carbon propellors for rc planes... The only thing I do differently is to mix the resin and the chopped tow together before adding to the mould. Way easier and cleaner, and allows you to get an accurate resin to tow ratio
We found it easier to wet out the fibres in situ rather than mix with the resin in a pot. It was easier for us to get the fibres where we wanted. It could be done that way but you would be relying a bit more on the initial compression to press fibres tightly into recesses and detail.
I work in composite industry, these videos are so fun to do hobbyist composite project
Paul's ID:
Honorifics: Hi
First name: Paul
Middle name: From
Surname: EasyComposites
Profesion: Being awesome
Awesomeness percentage: 100%
Haha, love it. Thanks..... [checks birth certificate].... yep.
This is so awesome, I remember 15yr ago how you had to scroll endlessly through forums and pick the brains of old timers who generally didn't want to share "secrets" to figure stuff out lol
Haha, thanks. Appreciate the comment. Yes, RUclips has been a total game-changer for the sharing of expert (and amateur) advice. We use it as a resource a lot ourselves, it often feels like the best of the internet now!
I was wondering how good is carbon fiber at different things, now I've lost count of how many of your video I've watch. Keep up the good work!
I hope we've answered all of your questions, if not hopefully one of our future videos does!
Excellent video. The willingness to test and answer the weight vs strength question earned the subscription.
Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for subscribing!
Hopefully you will enjoy that video which we are filming as we speak.
the idea that you can make full production quality carbon fiber parts with just a fiber kit and 3d printer is so cool! imagine custom-shaping brake levers for your bike or stuff like that.
I absolutely love this man (and company) - the tutorial videos you produce, Easy Composites should be some sort of global standard. Superb work.
Thanks for the feedback Thomas. We do spend a lot of time and effort producing these videos so it's great to hear that we're getting it right and the results are worth it.
An extremely satisfying video to watch even without a matching project at hand. Perfect for my evening YT binge.
Glad you enjoyed the video!
@@easycompositestv Yeah, probably not exactly what you intended but whenever I have to replace something durable in the future or create something from scratch, this will defenitely be the way for me to go. Video and URL bookmarked.
OK, I finally got round to making something using this process, in fact the part is currently setting and I have a feeling its not going to come out too well. Let me share my experience and perhaps offer some tips (or put another way what I felt went wrong...)
I've made a rotor which is essentially a disk of carbon fibre with 12 holes in it around the edge (on reflection this part is probably better just being made with some stacked CF sheet if I can get it cut perfectly round.) The disk is 6mm thick and has a volume of 34cm cubed once the magnet holes are subtracted. I thought I had made some mistake when I weighed the amount of CF needed because it filled the paper cup in the Kit and these cups are big, cut CF Tow is like candy floss! After re-checking my calculations I proceeded... I've sprayed all the insides with the provided wax which can go on quite thick, I managed to thin it out a bit, hopefully not too much... I've initially brushed the inside with epoxy then started 'loading', I think next time I will just mix the epoxy and CF together and apply that for speed. I started stipling the dry CF fibres in but eventually I was 'wading around with my finger tips' pressing the damn stuff into every nook and cranny, my part is probably too detailed to be honest and the voids are probably best drilled out as I had to keep clearing the mixture off so the mould would close without trapping too much CF mix. In general even though my calculations seemed OK I would have preferred even more epoxy in the mix (I guess this is at the expense of strength if overdone.) I got none of the 'oozing' seen in the video, in fact it seemed to have the consistency of 'damp hair' rather than a more liquid runniness, perhaps this is correct, on the video it doesn't look too runny either apart from when initially mixed with epoxy...
I did get a chance to lay down some re-enforcing CF Tow fibres along the axis were most tensional force was going to be generated and I think this is going to help the part a lot (I've seen the follow up video to this one and parts re-enforced in this way can be up to twice as strong as aluminium...) In my case (rotor for BLDC motor) that's around the circumference and CF Tow 'spokes' radially from centre.
This process is ideal for solid complex shapes with not too many 'fiddly thin bits' like the handle.
I suspect my part is going to have some voids in it where the mix didn't get into properly. 24 hours will tell!
wow this was 100% excellent - best Fiberfab tutorial video I have seen this entire year
Thank you for the awesome comment, glad you enjoyed!
Probably the finest “how to” videos I have ever seen!
Glad you enjoyed the video Neil! The strength testing video will be uploaded soon, so hopefully you enjoy that as much :)
These step-by-step tutorials are explained and presented perfectly .
Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge🙏🙏🙏 .
Thank you Paul from Easy Composites for being you Paul from Easy Composites!
The artist formerly known as Paul from CarbonMods (check out those old videos to see how far we've come and how much his hair has changed!!)
This is a great channel. Quality filming and editing, well-articulated, digestible points, and a clear expertise in the subject matter.
Really appreciate the kind feedback!
I can watch your videos for hours!
and there are hours worth to watch - glad you like them :)
I had no idea this could be done using such a relatively simple process. The possibilities are endless. Thanks for sharing. Subscribed.
Glad you enjoyed, thanks for the subscription!
This engineer working outside of industry enjoys your videos for entertainment. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed the video Paul :)
Watching this video while eating breakfast - best decision I've ever made
Hopefully you enjoyed the video as much as your breakfast!
This is brilliant! Once I move to my new place I can't wait to start printing some molds for small parts like mud guard or bicycle computer mounts for my new bike!
this is insanely impressive, quality to detail and workmanship is top notch
Great idea to start a company if you had passion and money to spend, just off of these videos lol
well done.
We have quite a few customers who have started doing it as a hobby then progressed into composites as a career.
I got 3d printer some time ago and this is excellent video to show some real engineering application. I am really looking forward for strenght testing of those components!
Glad you enjoyed the video, I hope the test video ( when uploaded) will answer your queries
On 3D prints, you can print them as close to hollow as you want and then fill them with resin. It's in the vicinity of any person that would make such a part because they already work with resin. The finite part is strong enough to be used to bend steel at sub 4 mm thicknesses and even above that in various applications/forms.
Back filling a hollow casting is a possible option in some cases.
This video has given me a creative high from all the potential projects it just opened me up to. I'm elated with this channel 🎉
I should be doing my engineering hw, but this channel has really captured my interest 😄
Have seen your videos for years over and over again, and finally i ordered a kit. The first part I'll try to make is a tripod landing gear for a drone with a red cam. Can't wait to get started :D Keep on your good work!
It's great to hear you've taken the plunge! Let us know how you get on, it would be great to see some more parts that customers have made with the kit. We've seen some good examples already but it's fascinating to see the different components that people are making.
Damn what a solid video. 20 minutes of no fluff
Thanks Michael, that’s what we aim for 😃
Not sure how I haven't come across this channel before but I'm glad I have.
Well, it's great that you've found us now. Please check out our back-catalogue and make sure you're subbed to find out about our new vids; they're not as frequent as we'd like but we put a lot of work into them :)
I've been subscribed for a couple years now and I really appreciate the consistent detailed instructions and inspiration you all deliver. After watching this, I'm motivated to attempt to make a forged CF part for one of my project cars lol. Thank You!!!
We appreciate the comment and continued support!
One more incredibly high quality tutorial video. Thank you Easy Composites
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Ok. Well THIS is the kind of advertisement I want to watch. That is such a simple process and extremely well done results!
Appreciate the comment, I'm happy you enjoyed the process and results :)
how does this guy not have more subscribers!!! iv been watching these videos and buying stuff from him for a while and its got to be the best channel on youtube to learn about this stuff!!
Really appreciate the kind feedback, comments like this are reason enough to produce the content!
I just found a great new reason to dust off my 3d printer, and put it to work! Great video!