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Message started by MulletViper on 01/27/12 at 13:55:14

Title: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by MulletViper on 01/27/12 at 13:55:14

I would like to build a fiberglass seat pan for my trusty thumper. Alas! problems... I want it to have a hump like in the picture below. Would anyone be able to tell me... If I were to mock up the hump with cardboard and then fiberglass over it, Would the seat be structurally sound? i.e. Would I be able to put my wife's caboose on this thing without it collapsing?

http://www.chrome-addiction.com/prodimages/drag-specialties_ds-901200.jpg

Title: Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by NicholasTanguma on 01/27/12 at 19:44:19

American Dreams in Japan does a traditional style king and queen seat that utilizes the factory backrest, and it seems to work fine.

http://www.american-dreams.jp/shopMail/frame14.html

Title: Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by thumperclone on 01/27/12 at 21:10:08

764E57575E4F6D524B5E493B0 wrote:

cardboard to make the shape then resin/epoxy let it cure then fiberglass w/ more resin/epoxy..

resin/epoxy an old shoe box to see how strong it is

Title: Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by verslagen1 on 01/27/12 at 23:03:42

1C243D3D34250738213423510 wrote:

Would anyone be able to tell me... If I were to mock up the hump with cardboard and then fiberglass over it, Would the seat be structurally sound? i.e. Would I be able to put my wife's caboose on this thing without it collapsing?

Since you're covering it with fiberglass, the cardboard plays no part in the finished strength, just weight unless you can peel it out afterwards.

Just make sure to have enough glass on it to be strong enough.
Not a bad idea to try a small box then stomp the crap out of it.

Title: Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by dasch on 01/27/12 at 23:23:17

I serously doubt it would carry the weight without some sound metal supports below. I modeled a fender out of fiberglass once over a cardboard mold... I was not happy with sturdiness at all. Engineer a braced metal piece under the fiber, that's my advice.

Title: Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by MulletViper on 01/28/12 at 12:39:14

I was thinking that the fiberglass wouldn't be strong enough, just wanted to make sure since this will be my first time using the stuff. I think I want to try building up the hump with layers of foam glued together. After I get it covered, does anyone think the shape may shift? I want to only have to do this once, and do it right. You guys are like my own private think tank

Title: Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by built2last66 on 01/28/12 at 15:11:01

Go ahead and do it right then, don't crappity smack with the fiber glass and fab some metal, foam pad it.. and cover it with your choice of fabric... like a real seat.

Title: Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by dasch on 01/29/12 at 01:25:36

yup. Wife is too important to drop and lose, hehehehe

Title: Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by thumperclone on 01/29/12 at 07:58:23

093128282130122D342136440 wrote:

arent surfboards made that way..

Title: Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by dasch on 01/29/12 at 08:08:26

It seems so... none of us can vouch for shape shift or load bearing, MulletViper... I personally want to sit on something proven.

Title: Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by Serowbot on 01/29/12 at 08:44:09

I can't see anything close to that, fitting on our stock frame...
... but if you do manage it, it's going to be a very top heavy ride... :-?...

Title: Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/29/12 at 09:13:50

IF I was determined, Id get a used seat & strip it to the pan, Build a cardboard mockup & figure where to put angle braces on the pan to mount the fiberglass, The underside, I dont think, can be left open. It will need a X in it to make it strong in the side to side area. Y9ou can biuild it, but its not gonna be a one day project.. gonna take some layin in bed & thinking time, what to do & WHEN to do it,, to make it work out..

YOu ever start assembling something only to have to take something back\ apart because something else had to get put together first? Thats "Building yourself a bear trap".. & fabricating something leaves many opportunities for just that,, Think it thru first, all the way,

Title: Re: Fiberglass King/Queen seat
Post by WD on 01/30/12 at 04:07:00

On a period seat like that, the hump is usually a high density foam with a softer layer over it so the seat has a touch of "give".

You can build the hump in with fiberglass, you just have to make a frame from 10 gauge steel wire or 1/8" bar stock before you start laying up the glass and resin. Use a heavy mat on both sides of the wire form, and make double sure to get every air pocket out. If you aren't used to fiberglass, white/light colored spots are air pockets. Use a good body filler spreader to force out excess resin. Two layers top and bottom, then 2 layers of tight woven glass cloth on the top. Cure for a couple weeks, then rivet some marine grade carpet over the top. Cut foam of your choice to shape, round and sand the edges. Cover the foam with a rubberized (backside only) outdoor fabric, then upholster with a marine or arctic weight vinyl or aircraft grade deerskin.

I've taken a few of those seats apart over the years. The high end ones have a steel seat pan with carpet on both sides.