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| Drilling Holes in Cored Balsa Wood Panels |  |  | |
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| Posted by: Kelly Bramble ® 03/13/2010, 08:52:15 Author Profile eMail author Edit |
I need to drill several holes in a fiberglass cored panel to mount an assembly. This panel is about 1" thick with the outer (inner & outer) layers being fiberglass and the core being Balsa wood. The outer and inner layers are probably .040" thick. The challenge with drilled balsa core panels is water intrusion which will rot the balsa wood core and compromise the strength of the panel. I think the best way to prepare these holes is to over-size drill and bond/install a bushing with the correct size through hole. Another possibility is to over drill the holes, fill with a strong drill-able material and then redrill at the smaller required hole for my fasteners. I need alternative installation recommendations, as well as a source for bushings and/or filler materials as required. This is on a boat... Thanks in advance Modified by Kelly Bramble at Sat, Mar 13, 2010, 08:52:35 |
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| : Drilling Holes in Cored Balsa Wood Panels | | ||
| : Drilling Holes in Cored Balsa Wood Panels -- Kelly Bramble | Post Reply | Top of thread | Engineering Forum |
| Posted by: Marky ® 03/15/2010, 07:52:59 Author Profile eMail author Edit |
Kelly....What size hole? Can you use a Bulk Head fitting? These have 2 rubber gaskets....but I usual back them up with a ton of RTV. The secret is to get your sealing compound in between the fiberglass and balsa layers.. Orifice sizes range from 1/4" to 3" dia.
Modified by Marky at Mon, Mar 15, 2010, 07:53:28 |
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| : : Drilling Holes in Cored Balsa Wood Panels -- Marky | Post Reply | Top of thread | Engineering Forum |
| Posted by: Kelly Bramble ® 03/15/2010, 10:18:27 Author Profile eMail author Edit |
It would be a clearance hole for a 5/16" fastener. That looks like a bulkhead fitting for wires - no doubt it would work great. I drove down to my local boat supply retailer and bought a fiberglass repair and modification book ($6.95). They recommend a process where you drill the desired size hole through the panel. Take a nail and bend it 90 degrees with about a quarter inch or more on one leg and long enough on the other leg to insert into a drill motor. You take the bent nail and drill motor and remove the surronding balsa core between the fiberglass sheets (top and bottom) from the pre-drilled hole. Then you buy this marine expen$ive two-part epoxy, mix, tape one side of the hole and fill the hole/void with the epoxy. After curing, redrill the hole(s) to the desired size and install your hardware. I'm sure this process works, however it looks like it will cost an afternoon and $60 for four holes. Hmm.... Modified by Kelly Bramble at Mon, Mar 15, 2010, 10:19:54 |
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| Posted by: Marky ® 03/15/2010, 10:57:58 Author Profile eMail author Edit |
No that's a bulkhead fitting that allows you to bring tubing or pipe thru a tank wall. I dunno....the process sounds pretty scarey and should be done BEFORE any beverages are consumed. |
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