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Old 11-17-2011, 09:16 PM   #91 (permalink)
Bicycle Bob
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: N. Saskatchewan, CA
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Appliance White - '93 Geo Metro 4-Dr. Auto
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I've made a couple of Coroplast bodies for Velomobiles, as have many others, but we want ultimate light weight, so it is all single skin. However, they can also be extremely rugged with just a bit of Coroplast framework inside a light-guage skin. Building up a basket work of strips would be very rugged, and it is all self-fairing, plus you can use a heat gun for any extra persuasion in the tight spots. There's no accurate spiling needed, so it should go very quickly. Six layers that are 50% gaps are stronger than 4 layers made from the same amount of Coroplast sheet. Use a generous bead or two of genuine, non-paintable silicon at each crossing, and hot glue or screws for clamping. Near your mounting points, build up more layers, and thin out the middle of panels if you want, especially if they have a strong compound curve. Let the glue out-gas for at least a fortnight before sealing further.
Actual hard points for bolting to a frame can be added with layers of fiberglass tape radiating out from the bolt location. WEST epoxy will give an adequate bond directly, if there's no peeling. If it starts to come loose, add Silicon. Glue on washers after you drill the bolt hole.

Probably the trickiest bit is getting an even covering of A+B foam, as it expands while you work. Several small batches are probably a good idea. However, errors are almost always of excess, which can be quickly hacked off with a knife, and minor hollows can be filled with insulation aerosol.

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