Woven tape/cloth. For what?

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jbo_c
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Woven tape/cloth. For what?

Post by jbo_c »

I’m doing a few non-structural joints on my build, so I got some woven tape thinking it would wet out easier than biax. It doesnt, (though it doesn’t seem any harder either).

If I’m not mistaken, biax is stronger, so if it doesn’t wet out easier, and it isn’t stronger, what are its advantages? Is it more abrasion resistant?

Jbo

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cape man
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Re: Woven tape/cloth. For what?

Post by cape man »

It is easier to fill and fair.
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Re: Woven tape/cloth. For what?

Post by jbo_c »

If that’s it’s only real benefit, there’s still really no reason to use it. :)

Other than maybe to prevent checking.

Jbo

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Re: Woven tape/cloth. For what?

Post by fallguy1000 »

Stiffness is a function of thickness. Thicker tapes are stiffer. Also less snaky for table wetting and moving.

Weight and epoxy penalties are severe.
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jbo_c
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Re: Woven tape/cloth. For what?

Post by jbo_c »

Not to be a jerkface, Fall Guy, while I agree, I’m not sure what that has to do with the question(s). ?

Though I did experience the “snakiness” problems you mention during my last laminating session.

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Re: Woven tape/cloth. For what?

Post by fallguy1000 »

Oh. I misread. I thought he meant with mat vs without.

Woven tapes are thinner, less stiffness, easier to finish.

woven tapes wetout easier and down through, biax won't because it is two layers...
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Re: Woven tape/cloth. For what?

Post by VT_Jeff »

jbo_c wrote: Fri Oct 28, 2022 12:39 pm If that’s it’s only real benefit, there’s still really no reason to use it. :)

Other than maybe to prevent checking.

Jbo
The way I see it is this:

Woven tape has finished edges that don't get messy while wetting it out. Biax tape does not, at least not any of the the stuff I have used. Those edges may require feathering afterwards, so they are not always desirable. If I need to glass something where I want the edges feathered, I'll use cut cloth, not tape. Probably.

Woven cloth(tape included) doesn't have the binding string that biax tape has. That string needs to be sanded down before fairing to avoid the need for excessive fairing material , something I learned the hard/expensive way.

So, If I'm glassing a surface for abrasion/checking alone, I'm never gonna reach for biax, unless it's all I have.
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jbo_c
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Re: Woven tape/cloth. For what?

Post by jbo_c »

I didn’t find it to be especially easier to wet out.

I definitely agree it should be easier to finish. I can’t decide whether I think it should be more or less abrasion resistant and I haven’t seen anything that suggests it’s either.

I don’t find the stitch in biax hard to deal with, but it does have to be dealt with.

Jbo

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Re: Woven tape/cloth. For what?

Post by bklake »

I used 6oz cloth on my kayak. With a couple of extra coats of epoxy then varnish, it shows the wood grain perfectly. If you want a bright finish on something, cloth is the only way to go if strength isn't an issue. Biax is murky compared to woven cloth. If painting, use whatever you have.

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