1708 for stringers

[N over my head]

I’m in the process of trying to put stringers in my little 15 foot 1975 Eldocraft boat. I’ve been reading a lot and have picked up quite a bit from this forum. I used to do some fiberglass work but that was back when I was right out of high school, I am now 65 years old. Things have changed a lot. I’m using 1708 for the stringers, my question is have you guys found that it’s easier and works out better to buy the 1708 Already in the size strips that you need, or besides the hassle of having to cut it, does it work out just as well to buy 50 inch wide material and cut it down yourself? Thanks in advance.

 

[N over my head]

I’m in the process of trying to put stringers in my little 15 foot 1975 Eldocraft boat. I’ve been reading a lot and have picked up quite a bit from this forum. I used to do some fiberglass work but that was back when I was right out of high school, I am now 65 years old. Things have changed a lot. I’m using 1708 for the stringers, my question is have you guys found that it’s easier and works out better to buy the 1708 Already in the size strips that you need, or besides the hassle of having to cut it, does it work out just as well to buy 50 inch wide material and cut it down yourself? Thanks in advance.

Didn’t know if the 1708 was bad about frazzling after cut. Never used it before.

 

[Lukey220]

Didn’t know if the 1708 was bad about frazzling after cut. Never used it before.

Never personally tried getting the size I already need, but on mine I bought a 50” roll and it wasn’t bad to cut. Just make sure to use some sharp scissors or I’ve heard of guys getting fiberglass shears.
Good luck with your project!

 

[Lukey220]

Didn’t know if the 1708 was bad about frazzling after cut. Never used it before.

Never personally tried getting the size already cut to what I need, but on mine I bought a 50” roll and it wasn’t bad to cut. Just make sure to use some sharp scissors or I’ve heard of guys getting fiberglass shears.

 

[N over my head]

Never personally tried getting the size I already need, but on mine I bought a 50” roll and it wasn’t bad to cut. Just make sure to use some sharp scissors or I’ve heard of guys getting fiberglass shears.
Good luck with your project!

Thanks for the reply. That’s probably what I’ll get then, 50” material. It’s cheaper that way too.

 

[todhunter]

I bought a 50" roll too and cut my own strips. I used a pair of Wiss 10" shears ($30) and they made it through my whole project, but they could stand to be sharpened after cutting that much glass.

 

[tpenfield]

The 1708 (i.e. triaxial stitched cloth) cuts fine. If you need it in certain widths (like for tabbing) then certainly no harm in using it. I've always bought the 50" roll stock. A tip for using 1708 is that you should liberally soak the underside of the cloth with resin, not needing to add any resin to the outer side once you place it. The cloth is very dense and will be difficult to get resin to 'soak' in from the outside, unlike CSM or Woven Roving.

Woven roving is the real tough one to cut, as it almost instantly falls apart.

 

[chevymaher]

It cost a fortune precut. I cut mine.

 

[kcassells]

I would say buy the roll for cost savings and a good pair of scissors from the toll dept. like Tod recommended. Scraps can be used as you would simply overlay @2" over each other.

 

[Davetowz]

Best scissors I have found are made by milwaukee, offset handle, buy at Home Depot, 20 bux.

 

[N over my head]

Thanks everyone for the help. Lord knows I’m gonna need it. Lol.

 

[chevymaher]

I would say buy the roll for cost savings and a good pair of scissors from the toll dept. like Tod recommended. Scraps can be used as you would simply overlay @2" over each other.

Oh yea cut scraps up into peices. Then if you are done with a strings and got resin. Use the peices to do odd spots like where the stringer meets the transom and tank box etc. Really limits the waste and saves money.