Carbon socks

[c01df1sh]

Hi,

Bit of an interloper, I'm afraid and am trying to take some of the Cherub enthusiasm for getting on and building stuff into the class we sail. Besides we can't afford anything new for our Merlin, so we're going to have a crack at building one in the garage. Bit low tech compared to your toys, but some useful ideas to incorporate - self tacking jibs, carbon foam stiffening, daggerboard rudders, etc.

Ace advice on the techie pages and I am now fairly confident about the approach to everything, but I came across solarcomposites.com today. Rather natty range of carbon / kevlar / glass socks which, although a bit heavy, seem to be the mutts nuts for spars. Anyone had a go or have any thoughts about them?

Looks like a mad range of colours too.

Thanks for the advice and inspiration.

Andy Hay

[Tim Noyce]

Great to hear that we are inspiring others Andy  Next time we have a 'Sticky Weekend' you should come along and have a go. In recent years people have made booms, poles, stocks and foils in a weekend so it really shows that just about anything is possible!

Just had a browse through that site, the uni sock looks quite interesting http://www.solarcomposites.com/composites/carbon%20fiber%20uni-fabric.html#UNISleeve

I think that in general, the majority of people just use plain weave or uni, and then cut it to work with it rather than using the sock. I've never tried myself but I think it would be good to use as the final layer as the finish would be good.

[Phil Alderson]

I have bought some stuff from them no problems with the payment or shipping, you just have to add 20% for import duty. It was still good value a few years ago when the pound was much stronger.
the sock is quite nice as a top layer on a tube I have used carbon and glass sock from there for all sorts of other little jobs.
I used some of the dyed purple and black sock to make a tiller extension, it looks quite funky I would not trust it in a strength critical role though as the dye comes out slightly into the epoxy so the bond is probably not the best.
One thing they do sell which is really good is the carbon 45 degree tape, it is excellent for bonding around edges and corners much better than the 0-90 tape and without the fraying you get when you cut a strip of cloth at 45