boom material

[Lay26]

just thinking out loud as to which is better for booms Al or carbon fiber..90 rigger

 

[julianconde]

AL not much flexing compare to Carbonfiber

 

[Tony Drake]

Carbon is also a lot more expensive

 

[steve wood]

fiberglass

 

[julianconde]

I like carbon or glass

You need a failure point

I would rather replace a broken boom that be building new sponsons after a bad crash

Also i was told by a very noteworthy twin driver that the AL booms bend over time with

The high loads that a 16lb twin puts on them so they need to be replaced often

That is true but carbon or glass have more flexing than Al while heat racing thats a fact..

 

[Jeff Barnhart]

I like carbon or glass

You need a failure point

I would rather replace a broken boom that be building new sponsons after a bad crash

Also i was told by a very noteworthy twin driver that the AL booms bend over time with

The high loads that a 16lb twin puts on them so they need to be replaced often

I don't run twins but I think this is an extremely good point about aluminum for boom tubes, it will plastically deform if the load is sufficient (which it sounds like it is on twins). Carbon is brittle enough that it is pretty much either broke or its not broke, so if you don't hit anything there shouldn't be much to worry about.

 

[Tom Foley]

Aluminum is so cheap , easy to work with you can make 4 sets of tubes to one of carbon . It also does act like a fuse if you will, in violent crashes . I've been through about 8 sets in my little Twin with no damage to the tub . A testament to a system that works !

If you are going to race hydros you better have some spare boom tubes and sponsons in the Ammo Box ! :lol:

 

[shoboat]

Leighton,

Most are using fiberglass tubes not true carbon fiber rods.

I just put some 2024 tubes in a 101 vintage hydro and they are strong.

The fiberglass and carbon fiber booms will flex more and break away if needed.

Your Choice,

Mark

 

[Lay26]

Thanks for sharing guys. Next question is what size for the boom and sponsor inserts

 

[Joe Warren]

You can buy 5/8 OD 2024 T3 in different wall thickness. if you run a thick wall you can just ream the tube ends for 1/2 inners.

 

[DON MAHER]

What would be the best "al" tubes for a twin 2024 T3 or 6061 T6???

Don

 

[Greg Bonahoom]

I'm building a JAE .45 and I was looking at my boom tube options. I've heard 5/16" carbon rods are what some guys are using. I also looked at 5/16" fiberglass rods and tubes and they are way more flexible than the carbon rods. Is there a certain grade of fiberglass tube that people use or do they just use a larger diameter? The 5/16" OD tubes that I found feel like they will flex way to much.

 

[Albert Araujo]

just thinking out loud as to which is better for booms Al or carbon fiber..90 rigger

We use the fiberglass ones from Aerospace. They are either straight or broken. Aluminum can bend and allows the boat to run like crap till you catch it. Carbon is just as good but it must be woven. The unidirectional tubes split and they are no good. The woven carbon is expensive so the Glass is the way to go in my opinion.

I learned this from Stu Bar which uses the glass booms and allows them to be the breakable fuse on his boats.

Albert

 

[Albert Araujo]

I'm building a JAE .45 and I was looking at my boom tube options. I've heard 5/16" carbon rods are what some guys are using. I also looked at 5/16" fiberglass rods and tubes and they are way more flexible than the carbon rods. Is there a certain grade of fiberglass tube that people use or do they just use a larger diameter? The 5/16" OD tubes that I found feel like they will flex way to much.

If going solid rod then carbon all the way. It is light and rigid.

Albert

 

[julianconde]

just thinking out loud as to which is better for booms Al or carbon fiber..90 rigger

We use the fiberglass ones from Aerospace. They are either straight or broken. Aluminum can bend and allows the boat to run like crap till you catch it. Carbon is just as good but it must be woven. The unidirectional tubes split and they are no good. The woven carbon is expensive so the Glass is the way to go in my opinion.

I learned this from Stu Bar which uses the glass booms and allows them to be the breakable fuse on his boats.

Albert

Albert thats why you check your Equipment after every heat its called Preventive Maintenance

 

[Mark Grannis]

If you get the correct carbon wrap tubing, it is very strong. View the ACP Composites web site. We've used this style of tubing back in the early 90's on our Raptor carbon fiber boats, Dad's 1/8 scale Bud and in 45 - twin 91 Road Runners. The E Hydro size ID is .500" and requires a .501 reamer to get the alum sponson tube inside the boom. Set up the shear points by planting Delrin .498" diam slug ends just outside the tub and you will never have a tub repair due to a sponson hit. Wear heavy duty work gloves when reaming this carbon wrap material.

The tube will break and you will not have any chance of finishing the heat. I'm now using alum tubing because I'm more reckless in my old age.

Chad's 67 Road Runner is still using the TUR-07A...His eyes are better than mine.

http://www.acpsales.com/product.php?productid=17470&cat=&page=1

MG