I have seen some postings over the few years I have been on this list regarding making fiberglass runners for an intake manifold, however, I am unsure if anyone has actually made any and if not why not.  If I understand it correctly they are paths for air and would not require any "structural strength, just need to be resistant to the heat in the area they are placed and direct the air properly.  If this is true, and please correct me where I am wrong, why would fiberglass runners not work.  Is it that there are not that many composite guys on the list (just Mr. Slade and myself?) and as a result are resistant or not skilled in working with fiberglass.  Seems they would be light, easy to form and get into tighter places and do the job well.  However, I am not an engineer and am concerned about obvious stuff I could easily miss.  I am not skilled with any welding (even though my build partner, David Staten,  just bought a welder for us to learn with) so like the idea of having alternatives.

 

I am in the final stages of my Velocity airframe construction (now in the micro, sand repeat stage) and feel VERY confident in my abilities with fiberglass.  What obvious stuff am I missing regarding using high temp epoxy to make well formed runners out of fiberglass.  Y'alls input/insight is greatly appreciated.  TIA.

 

All the best,

 

Chris Barber

Houston, GSOT

LoneStarVelocity.com

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Hi Chris, go to www.rotaryaviation and look under Bernie's RV9A project and you will see my F/G runners. It has been discussed several times on the list how they were made and I'm a metal airplane man so I'm sure you molasses and bedsheet guys can whip up some.

 

bernie