Author Topic: Theoben Rapid Mk2 (Read 13931 times))

Motorhead · « **Reply #120 on:** May 26, 2020, 05:39:46 PM »

Whats this ? ... we're going from watching Paint dry to WALL PAPER

Wheres my beer

YEMX · « **Reply #121 on:** May 27, 2020, 12:25:36 PM »

The experiment was a success!!! A few notes though. This is my first time REALLY working with epoxy in this way, I'm by no means an expert. Some of these points will probably be obvious to people. These are simply my observations in my situation, given my limited experience...

The epoxy and fiberglass bonded VERY well to the plastic cheek piece I used as a test panel. A very clean and well keyed surface is important... this cheek piece was neither clean nor keyed. Yet the bond was very good! The single layer of fiberglass fabric (generic Bondo stuff found at any big box store- definitely not the best) was also still flexible enough, that had I decided to use this adjustable cheek piece as originally intended, it would have worked out fine...

What I'm going to start with is the trigger guard section- that area worries me the most, since it's two separate materials bonded together. I'm not so much worried about the epoxy I used to bond the two, I'm worried about the substrates failing. So I'm just going to cover them both with the thicker Bondo fiberglass fabric. In fact, from the inlet section forward (because both the inlet area and reservoir area are pretty thin), I'll use the Bondo fabric. The grip area back, I'll use the thin fiberglass fabric. It'll be easier to lay down and easier to conform to all the swoopy contours...

After all that, I'll lay down a layer of some kind of epoxy filler (epoxy bonds well to polyester, not the other way around) to really smooth everything out, then sand smooth then paint. We're getting there!!

YEMX · « **Reply #122 on:** May 29, 2020, 01:46:08 AM »

Okay- I did a little bit of work on the stock today... Mostly just prep work for later today. I found some spots that needed some more blending, so am waiting for the epoxy clay to dry. I made some patterns for the fiberglass for the trigger guard area, and for my first layer of fiberglass. I also made a stand, so that I can work on the stock, and not have to worry about dribbles.

*sigh* cross your fingers y'all- I'm about to start covering my stock in epoxy and fiberglass...

YEMX · « **Reply #123 on:** May 29, 2020, 03:12:14 PM »

Here's a shot before the chaos:

That's the stand I made to work on the stock. I put it on a lazy susan I made for crafting. This is the calm before the storm, so to speak.

I'll post some pics after the epoxy has dried- I'm going to have to do some surgery. Things did NOT go to plan. But it's completely salvageable... For a first attempt, it's not too bad I hope.

YEMX · « **Reply #124 on:** May 29, 2020, 06:58:49 PM »

The chaos of the fiberglassing may have been tamed a touch. We'll see. I guess I should have paid more attention to that linked video... I also should have done a section at a time... The trigger guard area proved to be more difficult than I had originally thought. So when I redo it, I'm going to do the inside radius first, then worry about the outward face of the trigger guard area.

Also, definitely let the epoxy kick first, and get sticky... THEN put the fiberglass (or CF) over it. DO NOT wet out the surface, the immediately slap on the fiberglass.

YEMX · « **Reply #125 on:** May 30, 2020, 02:13:52 PM »

Oh yeah, I definitely made a lot more work for myself

Anyhoo, here's a few shots after I did all the trimming. This did not go to plan. I've cleaned up the stock to where I'm happy, and I'm going to put down another layer (more correctly this time!).

It looks far worse than it actually is, the stock is absolutely salvageable...

YEMX · « **Reply #126 on:** May 30, 2020, 08:57:17 PM »

I know, it looks goofy. But I didn't want to run the risk of not having coverage in any areas, and TBH- I still have 1 or 2 small spots that don't have coverage. It was just the way the fiberglass wrapped around the stock. Anyhoo- pics:

So basically, after thinking about how I'm going to attack all the weird angles and such, I painted up the areas with a layer of epoxy. I left it alone to kinda set for 2+ hours. THEN I stuck on the fiberglass. The fiberglass sticks, and when it's done curing (tomorrow), I can trim all the horrendous excess off, without having to worry about the fiberglass coming off and give it a coat of epoxy to lock it all in... Then on Monday, I can finish fixing the front half of the stock. So maybe Wed or Thurs, I can FINALLY lay on the consecutive 3 coats of epoxy over the whole thing. A few steps closer!!

Motorhead · « **Reply #127 on:** May 30, 2020, 10:32:53 PM »

Yea the FUZZ of the glass indeed going to need some love to get a uniform surface texture.

Still watching

YEMX · « **Reply #128 on:** May 30, 2020, 11:14:25 PM »

I'm hoping 3+ layers of epoxy will mostly level everything out. Plus sanding. If not, I'm going to have to use some epoxy filler... I already have an idea where filler is going to be needed.

YEMX · « **Reply #129 on:** May 31, 2020, 07:30:05 AM »

Next time, I'm definitely going to take more time to have smaller (but still over-sized) pieces of fiberglass. There's many more spots that were missed. Not enough for me to REALLY care, since this go around is MUCH better than my first attempt. But spots have been missed nonetheless. Anyhoo, pics so far:

Here is the stock trimmed:

Here's the stock w/the first layer of epoxy:

So now I have to wait until this layer of epoxy is fully cured. Then I can sand down those seams where the different cuts of fiberglass meet.

YEMX · « **Reply #130 on:** May 31, 2020, 08:10:02 AM »

I've got the piece cut for the front part of the stock that I want to fix. It's over-sized, but there won't be as much excess as the rear of the stock. This will get put onto the stock later today. That way, tomorrow I can trim the excess and start the 3 layers of epoxy.

I also ordered some epoxy fairing compound today, should be here on the 10th. We'll see. I'm hoping to be able to FINALLY primer this stock next weekend...

I wish I could use the Bondo that I have, but everything I've been reading says polyester resin will not adhere well to epoxy. Other way around it's fine- which is the reason why I Bondoed the stock in the first place (plus the Bondo is buried under epoxy and fiberglass). I'm sure it'll stick, but how long would it last? I don't want to take any chances at this point. I'm nearly done.

YEMX · « **Reply #131 on:** June 01, 2020, 03:06:09 PM »

Okay... here's a little update w/pictures. I'm going to be a day behind, but I'm still hoping to have primer down on this stock sometime this weekend- if not sooner. After wetting out the piece of fiberglass I added yesterday to "repair" the front half of the stock, I've decided to let it cure completely, trim it/sand/shape it and THEN give the entire stock a good sand down to knock down the really high spots, before starting the 3 coats of epoxy. Which means instead of starting the 3 coats today, I'm doing it tomorrow, so I can start with a better, more level surface. I'll still need to use filler in a few spots, I think y'all will be able to see where I mean from the pics.

After de-nibbing yesterday's work:

Today's work, a layer of epoxy over everything:

Again, still some work ahead of me, but we're getting there- FINALLY. I mean, REALLY getting there!

Motorhead · « **Reply #132 on:** June 01, 2020, 03:12:04 PM »

How is the WEIGHT doing ?

YEMX · « **Reply #133 on:** June 01, 2020, 03:15:38 PM »

Also, I just realized today is only the 1st... The epoxy fairing compound (filler) won't be here until the 10th... So no primer/painting this week

But hey, at least the stock will be 90% done?

YEMX · « **Reply #134 on:** June 01, 2020, 03:17:39 PM »

Quote from: Motorhead on June 01, 2020, 03:12:04 PM

How is the WEIGHT doing ?

I don't feel like it's HEAVY at all- the stock feels solid now. I feel like the stock, once done, will give the package a good heft all the way around. We'll see though- I'll weigh the Rapid alone, then with the stock to see how much the stock weighs when it's all painted and done.

If I had to take a guess? This stock doesn't weigh more than a comparable walnut stock would, if one were made in such a shape/design. I could be wrong of course. I prefer heavier rifles though, so my judgement may be biased.

My next stock (for an EscapeSS) will be done like I had planned to do this one: hardwood spine w/mostly foam and medium density chipboard for shape, and a layer (or two?) of fiberglass for strength. I'd like to see how THAT one comes out in the weight dept...

YEMX · « **Reply #135 on:** June 02, 2020, 12:15:44 AM »

I couldn't wait... The epoxy is cured, so I did some sanding to de-nib the edges of the front section I did today. Motorhead got me wondering how much this stock weighs. As it stands right now, the stock weighs 3 lbs, 5 oz. Not sure if that's heavy? It doesn't feel heavy to me. I'll weigh it again once it's done-done. The things that still need to be added are:

3 coats of epoxy (starting tomorrow! HUZZAH!!)
maybe some epoxy filler in a few spots
few coats of spray primer
few coats of spray paint in that faux GAP Camo pattern
few coats of matte clear coat
Butt-plate and spacers (not sure how many spacers will be needed yet)

It'll be interesting to see how much weight all the above will add to the stock.

YEMX · « **Reply #136 on:** June 02, 2020, 08:48:02 PM »

Just put on the last coat of epoxy. Full cure will take until tomorrow. Then I can start sanding down the high spots, and get rid of the drips on the edges. Another step closer!

Backyard Shootr · « **Reply #137 on:** June 02, 2020, 08:58:48 PM »

Do you think you will have it done for your two year anniversary in October?

YEMX · « **Reply #138 on:** June 02, 2020, 11:14:14 PM »

Quote from: Backyard Shootr on June 02, 2020, 08:58:48 PM

Do you think you will have it done for your two year anniversary in October?

Whew! I dunno! That's only 4 months away! So much to do, so little time!

YEMX · « **Reply #139 on:** June 03, 2020, 05:24:15 PM »

New butt-plate design?

There's still needing to be some smoothing and filling. But the epoxy filler won't be here until next week. So this is going to sit for a bit. I've test fit the Mk2 in the stock, everything fits as it should. I had to do a little tweaking. Next time, I'm going to leave the fiberglass covering all the inletting and such in place until it's time to finish. I think things would have been easier, with far less clean up. Overall, it's been a good experience, and I've learned a lot! I'm ready to try another stock after this one is done.

I'm not too worried about the grip area- again, I'm going to be adding some silicon carbide for grip. All those dips and such will be covered by the texturing. I may even do the thumb hook, similar to how a Synrod's synthetic stock has some texturing around the rear sling swivel... Not sure yet. I may also try a texturing technique using epoxy, that way I can paint over it down the road... Also not sure yet.

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Theoben Rapid Mk2

Author Topic: Theoben Rapid Mk2 (Read 13931 times))