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Norm Doerr

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
1,989
Okay Boaters. I am throwing this out because I am tired of building Hollow sponsons because it takes toooo long. I know foam is the way to go but a lot of builders are saying the cost is high. Here are the options I am aware of.

FOAM, (numerous types which is the best?)

Balsa (NOT!!! way too heavy)

Grayboard Hmmmm I have some sponsons Marty Davis made with this stuff. It is light cheap but I cannot find it if my life depended on it. But Boy these sponsons are light and durable

Hollow. LIGHT and a major pain. BUT . could be good for straightaways.
 
Klegecell is the only way to go. Usually, you will have to buy a 4'x8' sheet. A lot of of money but a lot of sponsons. You may want to contact CMD. Andy offered to sell some before.
 
I've been building my riggers all sizes using Clarkfoam high density the same used to make surfboards.

It is light, strong and easy to be shaped.

At www.clarkfoam .com you can see all blocks they manufacture obviusly for surfboats but buying a 10'block you can make sponsons for the rest of your like....that's the way I do.

If you want I can send some pics to you Norm.

Thanks Gill
 
Norm,

Kledgecell is the best choice. It's strong and easy to work with. I suggest the four lb (green) foam.

If you go to www.diabgroup.com, you can go to distributors section and get the number for the one closest to you. Call them and ask them for a "sample". What they consider a sample is 34"x48", whatever thickness and density you specify. That should be enough for quite a few sponsons and you haven't given up one red cent.

Thanks. Brad.

Titan Racing Components
 
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I've just got one question. If I watch Preston's applette long enough, is it going to undress like the other one?
 
Like Brad said. I email the rep. for my area and ask for a sample and BAM!!! It took 2-3 weeks but worth the wait.

Billy
 
nitro junky said:
Like Brad said. I email the rep. for my area and ask for a sample and BAM!!!  It took 2-3 weeks but worth the wait.
Billy

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Thanks guys I will give it a shot. Again many Thanks I am in nowhere land down here. LOL
 
I like to use 2" pink or blue construction grade foam. It's very light, you can get it at most large hardware stores like Lowes and Homedepot and It's easy to cut with a hot-wire, lets also add that it's also very sandable. I also like how epoxy soaks into the foam and creates a very good bond with the thin plywoods that we like to use to skin our spoons with.
 
Eric Perez said:
I like to use 2" pink or blue construction grade foam. It's very light, you can get it at most large hardware stores like Lowes and Homedepot and It's easy to cut with a hot-wire, lets also add that it's also very sandable. I also like how epoxy soaks into the foam and creates a very good bond with the thin plywoods that we like to use to skin our spoons with.
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Now I get to go over to the other thread and learn how to make a hotwire "whatchamacallit /thingamajig" . I am surprised that there is not one amongst all that stuff I bought from Marty LOL Is there any other way to cut it?
 
Norm, just food for thought. I use a band saw/scroll saw when I cut foam for sponsons. The I finish it up with a belt sander... although it makes a big mess, It works for me....

~James
 
topfuel443 said:
Norm, just food for thought. I use a band saw/scroll saw when I cut foam for sponsons. The I finish it up with a belt sander... although it makes a big mess, It works for me....
~James

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Ditto. Sheet with 1/64" ply.

I have found that the non-Klegecell foams do not take the impacts that they will see under normal running conditons. You can glue to it but the foam separates from itself. You will have the foam still glued to the ply but the ply won't be attached. Same with the sponson tubes. Make sense? Klegecell is made to withstand impacts. I have never seen ply or tubes pull away from it. And when it comes to wrecking the boat.........................it's tough!
 
Brad Christy said:
Norm,
Kledgecell is the best choice. It's strong and easy to work with. I suggest the four lb (green) foam.

If you go to www.diabgroup.com, you can go to distributors section and get the number for the one closest to you. Call them and ask them for a "sample". What they consider a sample is 34"x48", whatever thickness and density you specify. That should be enough for quite a few sponsons and you haven't given up one red cent.

Thanks. Brad.

Titan Racing Components

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I gave this a try today, here is the reply.

Mike,

We no longer manufacture Klegecell. In the evolution of our merger some 10 years ago all the products carry the divinycell name even though there is some data on this still in circulation. I will send you a sample of our new H45 (3lb) and H60 (4lb). When I say new I mean our new formula that exhibits an 13% increase in compressive strength and 54% increase in shear strain.

Any particular thickness?

Thanks,

Bob

Looks like a sample is on it's way :D

MikeP
 
I used the 4.7 lb. Klegecell for years (got it from Andy) with great success. Put thin Zap on it till it stays wet then stick 1/32" or 1/64" ply that's been sprayed with kicker - no better way to build sponsons IMHO, thanks Andy. You also don't

need blocks for the sponson tubes, epoxy the tube right to the foam and they won't come out.

I called a few weeks ago and as mentioned Kledgecell is no longer made, apparently the Divinycell H80 is the same stuff:

http://www.diabgroup.com/americas/u_litera..._pdf/H_DS_U.pdf

Got some to try, looks the same except it's grey in colour. :)
 
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Don,

Yes I still use spyder foam from ACP. It is some nice hard stuff and easy to buy the size you need.

I have never seen klegecell before and would like to compare.

Terry,

I have tried CA and kicker on foam and found that after the first sheet goes on I have trouble with the kicker setting off the CA next to the seam of the next sheet. How do you avoid this?

MikeP
 


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