Figure I should add my first experience.
pressed my first ski last night. Now on to getting it to break, then pressing my first pretty pair.
Anyway, flat mold, tip rocker of around 1.5cm x 15cm. Pneumatic press, using aluminum cassettes.
Set up on the bottom was mold, hardboard, heat blanket, 1/16 aluminum sheet, 1/16 aluminum sheet, materials, 1/16 aluminum sheet, cat track, hose, top mold.
So only one heat blanket, on the bottom.
I am using QCM 0043 and 0032 I think. Pressing at 81 degrees C.
Before laying up the ski, I put the top section of the cassette in the press with the heat on at 81 degrees C.
layed up the ski, top the heated top cassette out of the press, threw the ski in the press, with the temp already at 81 degrees C, inflated the hose to 70 psi, and left for two hours.
Came back and ski was obviously done.
Pulled it out, was impatient and knowing I would only be using this ski to test some stuff, I cut it out on the spot. I spray water on it to keep the fiberglass fibers from going anywhere and it was going from liquid to vapor while I cut the flash off. Blade I used worked fine, but I had a hard time in the tips and tails. I do a 3/4 wrap and because of this, I had a hard time differentiating between where the base material ended because the tips have alot of VDS in them. Anyway...
No delams, look great. Although I think I used way to much epoxy (sort of went overboard....) so they are a bit heavy.
ANYWAY, went back today and set them in the mold.
Tip and tails are exact, perfect fit back in the mold, including the amount of rocker I had set up.
Underfoot there is about 5-7mm of camber.
I am pretty stoked.
Now on to doing a few things with the sidewalls and mess with them, then on to other skis.
Few pics. I will have a huge post when my first pair comes out hopefully next week.
As you can see in the right side of the mold....epoxy was everywhere.
But yeah, I am pretty pleased with just one blanket. Eventually I think I am going to get rid of this press and make one that is 2 skis wide, and when I do that I would likely get both a top and bottom heater. But this works for now.