Pultrusions - where to buy?

[dreamroad]

So what's the deal with pultrusions? Where can I buy them in the US? ExpeditionUpfitter (totalcomposites) is way too expensive for me and some other angles I could find are too thick because they are for a different purpose. Is this really such a niche product? I am about to order from China but would prefer to buy locally.

 

[Deleted Member 183]

https://www.strongwell.com/

https://www.tencom.com/?gclid=CMHgiK-5yc4CFYFofgodXTYDwg

https://fiberr.com.tr/en/grp-profiles/

Regardless of where you get it, be sure to have a shop vacuum set up to your saw, drill press, mill so that the "chips" are immediately sucked away AND where a heavy duty breathing mask.

That stuff is REALLY NASTY to work with!!!!!!!!

 

[dreamroad]

Thanks for the links, I looked at the websites but they do not appear to sell anything. They all brag about making this and that and whatnot but no actual shop where I can click and shop and not send them love letters about what I want to do and how I'm going to be dressed while doing what I do.
I've found a place with some angles for sale but they are either 6mm or 8mm thick because they are for some heavy duty applications. We need 3-4mm at most for expedition boxes.

 

[Deleted Member 183]

Those are manufactures! I'd wouldn't be surprised at all that they ignore you. I dealt with them on an industrial design project that potentially would have used 1000's of linear feet. Just the test prototypes took several hundred feet and ended up being a flop because my clients could not "wrap their brains around" the stuff basically lasting forever in a wet salty enviornment.

 

[Victorian]

Pretty much every pultrusion is custom designed. There are crazy costs for the tooling (anywhere from US$6000-40,000) and minimum order quantities. Therefore something like this will never be "cheap". Hence not many brands using them. We usually order several kilometre worth of FRP pultrusions every couple of months.
We decided to offer ours to the public because we know how hard it is to find them as a DIY customer.
No matter where you go, they will never be cheap.

Cheers

 

[dreamroad]

Yes, I am aware of the process and the costs. I am simply looking for a different design, totally flat on the outside, without ribs, and a bit smaller for smaller boxes. It is also hard to believe that manufacturers do not have anything in stock. They are like: we've made and sold a few kilometers of angle for this and that company and now let's sit and do nothing. Those who have anything in stock, make the process really difficult. You can buy a motorcycle online with one click but you can't buy a darn corner angle

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

My current vehicle uses aluminium angles on the corners, inside and out. 1.6mm X 40mm or 3mm depending on the application. I purchase it power coated. Easily replaced if damaged. 20 years of service and no regrets.

For my new build I am considering hot folded 3mm PVC and polycarbonate, depending on the application.

Pultrusion is actually not ideal at all. The strength is all in the wrong direction. If you want the benefits of FRP you would need to hand lay-up angles with cloth. They could then be thinner and lighter and stronger.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

 

[The Artisan]

Get broke angles to your spec made of sheet steel..I used 14ga on a 12ft box which was way overkill. I will be using the same on a 22ft pod
Kevin

 

[dreamroad]

I have the possibility to create vacuum molds to make my own angles easily. Epoxy, a few layers of fiberglass cloth and done, I know. I already have tables for vacuum forming of sandwich panels in my shop as well. The thing is that I hate spending time doing it. My employees won't handle it mentally and I would need to do it myself (I'd rather be overlanding). This is why I am looking for someone who already wasted time doing it all and I prefer to pay.

 

[Peter_n_Margaret]

If you are really keen, you do a hand lay-up for all the corners.
This is a friend's Defender (yes, that's right).
He hand laid and vacuum bagged all the panels.


Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

 

[Deleted Member 183]

We decided to offer ours to the public because we know how hard it is to find them as a DIY customer.

THAT IS BIG DOG! Just like you and your father have been since you have moved over to North America!
People that are too cheap to buy it for what you are willing to sell it for are just... Too cheap!

 

[Victorian]

Yes, I am aware of the process and the costs. I am simply looking for a different design, totally flat on the outside, without ribs, and a bit smaller for smaller boxes. It is also hard to believe that manufacturers do not have anything in stock. They are like: we've made and sold a few kilometers of angle for this and that company and now let's sit and do nothing. Those who have anything in stock, make the process really difficult. You can buy a motorcycle online with one click but you can't buy a darn corner angle

Another fun fact: most if not all pultrusions/ extrusions started out as custom designs by a paying customer that owns the design and IP behind it. If the manufacturer would start selling them to outsiders, i bet it would get ugly very fast.
in any case, it sounds like you have the capabilities and knowledge to make your own. Just go for it!

cheers