Flat Fibreglass Sheet ??

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26th November 2004, 05:01 PM
Twodogs

Flat Fibreglass Sheet ??

Hi All
Can anyone tell me where I can get flat fibregass sheet in Melbourne
I have tried google , yellow pages etc without any luck.
I am converting a bus into a motorhome and want it to cover removed windows etc.
Thanks Bill
26th November 2004, 05:12 PM
Sturdee

Instead of fibreglass have you thought of using perspex. Lots of thicknesses to choose from and lots of suppliers.

I have used small sections of 10mm thickness for small windows where security was essential and they are still there, never broken by vandals. :D

Peter.
26th November 2004, 06:30 PM
journeyman Mick

Bill,
I've never seen flat fibreglass sheeting for sale, it's usually made up to order. If you like working with fibreglass you can make it up yourself by laying up some glass on a piece of plastic covered ply or cardboard. This is a messy, itchy business though and there are alternatives: acrylic sheet (perspex), polycarbonate (lexan), colorbond over ply or styrofoam. You'd have to lay up a fair thickness of fibreglass to make it rigid enough, you'd be better off with a layer of 'glass over ply. I think you'll find that colorbond over ply will work out the cheapest.

Mick
26th November 2004, 07:30 PM
RETIRED

Most "glassers" can lay up a flat sheet.

Look for fibreglass boat repairs.
26th November 2004, 08:19 PM
bitingmidge

Bill,

Reiner at Aussie teardrop campers in Bris has some. He sells 2mm sheets 2.4 x 1.2 for $96.00 and it IS one of the best materials to use in that situation!

Cost of transport to Melb for a pack of flat sheets is not huge.

Tell him I sent you...that ought to get him thinking!

Cheers,

P ;)
27th November 2004, 08:55 AM
Iain

Thought there would be too much flex in glass, unless really thick and then it's too heavy.
27th November 2004, 12:25 PM
bitingmidge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

Thought there would be too much flex in glass, unless really thick and then it's too heavy.

No, this is designed for gluing straight on to a substrate, either rigid foam (insulation) or other sheet material such as ply.

The caravan/truck body business uses aluminum or fibreglass as cladding extensively - it saves so much work bogging and fairing and painting!

Cheers,

P :)
27th November 2004, 02:43 PM
journeyman Mick

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

No, this is designed for gluing straight on to a substrate, either rigid foam (insulation) or other sheet material such as ply.

The caravan/truck body business uses aluminum or fibreglass as cladding extensively - it saves so much work bogging and fairing and painting!

Cheers,

P :)

If you're going to glue it to a substrate anyway then I reckon colorbond would be cheaper, and you won't get all itchy cutting it either! No bogging, fairing or painting required either ;) .

Mick, who refuses to cut fibreglass for anyone unless they supply a fresh set of disposable overalls every day! :p
27th November 2004, 06:34 PM
bitingmidge

Quote:

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

If you're going to glue it to a substrate anyway then I reckon colorbond would be cheaper, and you won't get all itchy cutting it either! No bogging, fairing or painting required either ;) .

Mick, who refuses to cut fibreglass for anyone unless they supply a fresh set of disposable overalls every day! :p

Good point Mick! But somehow colorbond just isn't as tough!

(Pic stolen from Aussie Teardrops website see link above)

P
27th November 2004, 08:23 PM
journeyman Mick

Midge,
they look interesting in a 50's retro sort of way, what are they? :confused: They look too small to be a caravan or camper, are they a really expensive dog trailer for the well heeled dog breeder/show-er? (seriously, what are they?)

Mick
27th November 2004, 10:39 PM
RETIRED

In Coasters and Civilians it is a common practise to replace the windows, generally where the shower goes, with a 2-3 mm fibreglass panel.

This works well as the area is reasonably small but depending on the window size and where it is going in the bus some flex could be expected.

The general way it is done in buses is to plate the whole window with a steel sheet.
28th November 2004, 08:58 AM
bitingmidge

Quote:

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Midge,
they look interesting in a 50's retro sort of way, what are they? :confused: They look too small to be a caravan or camper, are they a really expensive dog trailer for the well heeled dog breeder/show-er? (seriously, what are they?)

Close!

Check out http://www.aussieteardrops.com/

Reiner is one of three Oz manufacturers that I know of, and has the best overview of what they are about. If you do a web search expect to be overwhelmed with sites!

The teardrop trailer was one of the old 50's (in Oz) and 30's (in the US) phenomena currently having quite a resurgence, particularly in the retro/hotrod world and among the :rolleyes: baby-boomers-who-have-become -too-lazy-to-pitch-a-tent-set. Basically a two berth caravan with a full galley, but no sitting facilities. Lightweight and cheap to build (they can be bought completed for a small fraction of the cost of a traditional camper trailer!)

Weight is typically less than 300kgs (mostly a LOT less) and construction is dead simple see here: http://www.trikesaustralia.com/teard...prototypes.htm

Better than towing your camping gear in a trailer, but not as flash as a "proper"caravan!

Cheers,

P