OLD SCOUT you always get me thinking (and it hurts, cut it out)

So we all know how to make steel half doors (if not, read,THIS (http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/doors/index.html) )

But I'm really interested in your suggestion/idea for 'glass half doors. Wouldn't they break/crack easily??

How would you mold and shape the fiberglass??

I like the idea of the light weight....

My glass inserts don't seem to break too easily. I have leaned them against many obstacles. They are pretty tough.

How thick is the 'glass??

Originally posted by Cliffhanger
OLD SCOUT you always get me thinking (and it hurts, cut it out)

So we all know how to make steel half doors (if not, read,THIS (http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/doors/index.html) )

But I'm really interested in your suggestion/idea for 'glass half doors. Wouldn't they break/crack easily??

How would you mold and shape the fiberglass??

I like the idea of the light weight....



If you want to make fiberglass doors build a frame out of rod, 1/2 angle, something. Get the frame installed and make sure it works the way you are expecting, I.E. mounting, removal, etc all work out. Lay a skin over the frame, I'd recommend 1/4" fiberboard. Then lay the fiberglass matting over the fiber board and frame. Walla fiberglass inserts. Add a gel coat if you want a nice finish.

Professional shops use molds, but for a one design this should work fine.

Joe

Could you use the origional door skins as a mold for the glass ones??

Originally posted by Cliffhanger
Could you use the origional door skins as a mold for the glass ones??

Well hell, remove the door skin and attach it to your new frame, no need to mess with the glass at that point. Would still be fairly light weight compared to using a complete door.

Originally posted by Cliffhanger


How would you mold and shape the fiberglass??

I like the idea of the light weight....


I use a ton of fiberglass in my boat hobby and the stuff is very easy to make stuff out of.
I would make a inside and out side panel out of 1/16" Luann plywood. Make inside supports out of 3/4" HD corrugated cardboard.... Yes I said cardboard. When you soak corrugated cardboard in epoxy it becomes 4x stronger that 6 ply plywood and will never rot and it's cheap and very lightweight!

Lay a skin of heavy mat/cloth over the Luann, sand and paint. Your done.

BTW There is three kinds on FG resin. The best is high ratio epoxy 4:1 or 5:1( resin/hardener), There is vinylester and polyester resin. I do use the ester stuff because there much weaker!

If you really like plastic toy crap.. There are books on the subject of “fiberglass auto construction”….

<img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1884089100.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg" >


the tex smith one is good for some ideas

for a one time run i would just cut down a steel door seran wrap and go for the mold

Originally posted by jdjanda


Well hell, remove the door skin and attach it to your new frame, no need to mess with the glass at that point. Would still be fairly light weight compared to using a complete door.

Do you think that this would be as light and sturdy as a fiberglass set-up? I doubt it.

Originally posted by Old Scout

I use a ton of fiberglass in my boat hobby and the stuff is very easy to make stuff out of.
I would make a inside and out side panel out of 1/16" Luann plywood. Make inside supports out of 3/4" HD corrugated cardboard.... Yes I said cardboard. When you soak corrugated cardboard in epoxy it becomes 4x stronger that 6 ply plywood and will never rot and it's cheap and very lightweight!

Lay a skin of heavy mat/cloth over the Luann, sand and paint. Your done.

BTW There is three kinds on FG resin. The best is high ratio epoxy 4:1 or 5:1( resin/hardener), There is vinylester and polyester resin. I do use the ester stuff because there much weaker!

That's all good info, and probably worth it if you already have the stuff (as you sound like you do) But maybe gutting and cutting up a steel door would be easier and cheaper....

Would it be possible to make the doors so that they come off like HEEP doors. Just kinda pinned??

Originally posted by Cliffhanger
Would it be possible to make the doors so that they come off like HEEP doors. Just kinda pinned??

Yep, do a search on SSII. Hooper has all the details. :D

Wasn't someone selling fiberglass SSII doors?

Essentially "hard-doors" for a Super Scout?

One of these days I need to get another set of SSII inserts for the racer.. heck, if I get an old ratty SSII top and put a windshield frame back in it, you'd swear it was a street poser. :D

Originally posted by Cliffhanger
Would it be possible to make the doors so that they come off like HEEP doors. Just kinda pinned??

I had fiberglass on my SSII frames for a while. Worked OK. I just used fiberglass shower inserts, cut to shape and tied in place with leather. Worked well, except for the windows. Windows never looked good, and never worked well.

but, for half doors, it would be sweet.