Hemp for topsheets

For discussions related to the type of materials to build skis/snowboards and where to get them.

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BbTahoe
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:06 am

Hemp for topsheets

Post by BbTahoe »

Hey guys,

I want to use a lightweight hemp canvas for my topsheet. I really don't know much about this part of the process. I'd like to get some custom graphics done and use hemp. Does anyone happen to know of a company that sublimates with different fabrics?
MaRuMo
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed May 23, 2007 9:05 am
Location: Chamonix, France

Post by MaRuMo »

I was looking into using woven hemp fabric to use in place of fiber glass a while ago. These links were provided by my sister who just typed in 'Hemp fabric'. I can't remember which ones were good sites, but some are good. You will notice some are similar in what they provide as well, but just have a look through.

http://www.hemptraders.com/properties_o ... emp101.php

http://www.hempfabricshop.com/index.php ... age=page_2

http://www.envirotextile.com/

http://hempbasics.com/store.php?crn=201

There is also a place called Material Connextion that is heavily used by the industrial design industry. It's a library of information on new and innovative materials entering the market.

http://www.materialconnexion.com/pa1.asp

The hemp fabric topsheet may affect the total stiffness of the ski, and will add to the weight when it had soaked up the resin. Depending on the weight of fabric you are getting, the fabric itself can be heavy to begin with.

Hope this helps in getting started in the research. You can also just go around to fabric stores to have a look and feel the fabric too.

Good luck.
alloyguitar
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:29 pm

Post by alloyguitar »

I have also considered this in my snowboard endeavors. Probably what I could end up doing is using a layer of the hemp canvas as a replacement for the top layer of fiberglass, although i'm not sure what that would do for the flex of the board.
MaRuMo
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed May 23, 2007 9:05 am
Location: Chamonix, France

Post by MaRuMo »

You can always find out by making a little test panel.
BbTahoe
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 10:06 am

Post by BbTahoe »

I've been buying my topsheet from snowboardmaterials.com and it has the plastic stuck to the thin fiberglass layer. What are other topsheet options? Is it possible to use a thin layer of hemp fabric and then sublimate the graphics sheet on to that directly?
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littleKam
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Posts: 269
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:43 pm
Location: SoCal

Post by littleKam »

If your hemp layer fabric is thin enough you actually feed it directly into your inkjet printer. You'll be surprised as to what your printer can take. I've printed on cloth a few times so far and the graphics have been crystal clear. Haven't layed them up for a ski though......
- Kam S Leang (aka Little Kam)
alloyguitar
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:29 pm

Post by alloyguitar »

I just spoke with a friend of mine and he got me thinking about the concept of using hemp in place of fiberglass (I'm kinda on this eco-friendly kick...).

Keep in mind that this is for a snowboard. I know that I can get 18oz. heavyweight hemp canvas, but I'm wondering, would this be a bit of overkill since I'm thinking it would soak up a TON more resin than the 'glass would.

Any ideas on what weight should be used?
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