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Discussion starter · #401 · (Edited)
eshaw said:
I didn't know that UHMW would grow and shrink like that. Everything I've ever read about it made it sound like it's stable. How do they go about sealing a gap such as this? Is it a thermal process and a resin? That looks like a bunch of work right there! Appears to be coming together well though, doing a good job. I'm wondering if instead of the combo tap and drill bits if it would have been worth the extra time and effort to drill and then tap separately. Just out of curiosity, how many times did the bits break? Oh, one other thing, did you have to counterbore the poly side to recess the bolt heads?
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yes it grows and that is why everyone says get it out in direct sunlight. after a few hours the 18' long piece could grow up to 2". I took some video of the plastic welding that will be in episode 18. it is a actual welding process with a gun, heat, and filler. the combo drill/tap bits were the only way to go! I broke off 4 but it was because I was going fast and the heat build up made them brittle. the days it was just me and my wife I didn't break any. toward the end I was lubing the bit every third hole.

the plastic welder has a heat gun on top that blows hot air in front of the weld and you can watch the plastic about 2" wide begin to heat and swell slightly. the end of the barrel is a 350 degree iron an the gun has a material drive system that pushes the 3/16 plastic rope into the seam. it basically like a glue gun on steroids.
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#402 ·
I'm glad I found out about the dimensional stability when using UHMW. I have a future project planned that I was going to use this type product for but I'll have to rethink it now. Thanks for that heads up Rambo. One other question for you. I saw on your video that you trimmed the sides using your circular saw. Do you have to go back and use a grinder/sander on the edges to smooth them to keep vegetation from trying to cling to it?
 
Discussion starter · #403 ·
eshaw said:
I'm glad I found out about the dimensional stability when using UHMW. I have a future project planned that I was going to use this type product for but I'll have to rethink it now. Thanks for that heads up Rambo. One other question for you. I saw on your video that you trimmed the sides using your circular saw. Do you have to go back and use a grinder/sander on the edges to smooth them to keep vegetation from trying to cling to it?
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I did go back and smooth the edges with a 60grit flapper disc. the uhmw works well just move around a lot, if gets hot it will gum it up fast.



 
#404 ·
almost time to drop that powerplant in the beast!!
 
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#405 · (Edited)
Poly looks good man.

I hope you don't have the same issues I'm having with mine-SERIOUS drag and really bad porpoising. I've tried to fix the problems with divoting the poly, trim tabs, etc, but it's no better. Maybe yours will be better due to the fact you don't have crimps or ice runners, or that it's one large piece, or maybe running a jet will make a difference.
 
#410 ·
Looking good man!
I would be nervous as hell about that poly after reading about the CarpCommander's issues with drag. I guess you will have plenty of HP to overcome the drag to an extent but I would always be wondering how much performance it was robbing me of regardless.
Anyway, amazing build I'm enjoying it!
 
Discussion starter · #411 ·
NORTHTEXASSLAYER said:
Looking good man!
I would be nervous as hell about that poly after reading about the CarpCommander's issues with drag. I guess you will have plenty of HP to overcome the drag to an extent but I would always be wondering how much performance it was robbing me of regardless.
Anyway, amazing build I'm enjoying it!
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Yes I knew going in that poly adds drag but the protection it gives is second to none. its about 275# of insurance, not necessarily performance.

I would say there's probably more going on there than poly drag. he added a ton of metal work to the bottom. if any of it is off just a hair from the front to back it will create drag. along with all the slight little variations from poly to aluminum tube can create drag. I have absolutely no idea what issues he has aside from porposing but that can happen on a new boat with a poorly placed motor or weight. I'm sure he will get it line out but its very hard to put that much time into a build and not have it blow your mind the first time out. it can be very frustrating. at least he has options, not sure what I will do if I have problems with mine. not like I can change or move much on mine.



 
#416 ·
Last trip to buy aluminum.....:laugh: She's looking good bud! I was saving the best name in the world for my big nasty airboat that I'm building, but since we are going a different route with the engine, a different name is in order as well. That boat right there is the "Double Wide Dream". Check out the song with the same name by the Casey Donahew Band.
 
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