Hello everyone I just joined this group a little while ago and thought that I would introduce myself..........
My Name is Zach, I'm in Central IL and am 24 and married.... I work as an industrial Mechanic and Webmaster at a local aluminum foundry (
www.alcastcompany.com ) and 3 of my main hobbies are building hovercrafts, woodworking and I'm also building a V8 Powered 69 convertible VW beetle.
Especially with the hovercrafts I have done a lot of work with fiberglass and have become quite good at it, I figured this forum would be a great place to get some ideas and maybe learn a bit more.
If you interested in seeing some of my projects check them out on my website at
www.zbcreations.com
I have been building hovercrafts since I was around 14, and have built 5 so far. 2 from plans, then I designed and built a 1/2 scale RC hover, and have also designed and built 2 other full sized hovers. I now design and built every thing on them from the props up, except for the engine(s) and maybe a couple pulleys that are cheaper to buy. My dad and I have started a small business building hovercraft parts here and there, we don't sell a whole lot right now, but it’s just a side business and helps pay for the hobby.
One of my current projects is the 69' convertible vw beetle. I originally bought it for my wife because she loves the old bugs, I wasn't too hot about the car, but it has grown on me now LOL. At first my wife said that the 50 some hp 1500 engine wasn't enough power and that we needed to put in a larger engine, I couldn't argue with her…. LOL
I first was thinking of putting a 1.8L subaru (~100hp) in the back of the bug, because I have lots of experience with them with the hovercrafts. A week or so later my wife said that she didn't really want a wimpy 4cyl in the bug and asked if I thought I could put some kind of a V6 in it. I jokingly said that if I was going to do that much work I might as well drop a 350 in it...........
She said okay!!!!!!!! so that’s how our V8 Powered convertible beetle project came to be. LOL
Right Now I’m planning on making a foam/glass composite floor for the car with a steel angle skeleton. We also widened the car 8” so I’m going to be making a custom fiberglass hard convertible top for it too. I’ve actually thought about doing Carbon fiber (or at least black fiberglass) just for the look??? I’ll also be making a fiberglass dash, interior panels, etc, and have been thinking about building a fiberglass flip up front end, but we’ll see.
Anyways I’m glad I found this forum and I look forward to seeing some cool projects and sharing some of my own.
I attached a few pictures of my projects that involved fiberglass
The 1st hovercraft 10’long, single engine, 10hp engine, single fan top speed ~35mph, payload 250lbs Foam, plywood, and fiberglass construction, wood and glass prop
2nd hover 18’long, single ~100hp Subaru engine, 2 fan, top speed ~75mph, payload 1000lbs foam, plywood, and fiberglass construction, wood and glass prop and fan
3rd hovercraft custom designed ½ scale RC hovercraft 6’ long and powered by a 5hp Briggs engine. Foam, plywood, and fiberglass construction, foam and glass prop
4th hovercraft custom designed 12’long 27hp thrust engine, 10hp lift engine, top speed ~55mph payload ~500lbs All foam and glass construction, wood and glass props and fan
5th hover, custom designed, 10.5’ long 14hp single engine dual fan top speed ~40mph, payload 300lbs, all foam and glass construction, wood and glass props and fans, foam and glass prop and fan
carbon fiber hovercraft dash
Fiberglass engine cover/hood/scoop. We made some sheet metal molds for these
fiberglass engine cover, scoop and vents we also made some sheet metal molds for these
Foam and glass fan before I glassed it with several layers of glass. I’ve also made a few foam and glass props from 36”-42” All of which I’ve designed and built.
Wood and glass prop before I glassed it, I designed and carved this guy
Same prop as above after being glassed balanced and painted
Our V8 bug project…………… No glass yet………….
Linear Mode
