Chris;
   You might want to take a look at Aerospace
Composite Products.
http://www.acp-composites.com/acp-bcs.htm
They make composite fabric tubes out of a triaxial
cloth which can be stretched appx 3/8" in dia. They
are available in carbon fiber, fiberglass, and kevlar.
They also make a high temp epoxy which they say will
withstand exhaust temps.
   You can buy flexible styrofoam tubes for kids toys
ropes etc.in several diameters. Wal Mart and most
swimming pool suppliers sell them. They have a hole in
the center for a rope or whatever. Put some copper
tubing in the center hole. force it into whatever
contours you need, the copper tube will keep the
shape. Slip the composite tube over the outside wet it
out. When it cures, dissolve the foam and the copper
can be pulled out. Most important, let me know if it
works. I need to do it too.
                               John


>
>
> On Sat, 23 Jul 2005 01:12:25 -0500 "Christopher
> Barber"
> <CBarber@TexasAttorney.net> writes:
> 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
> =============================================