Fibreglass in the UK

Bill Martin · Post by **Bill Martin** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 4:53 pm

It’s a long shot but does any one know where I can buy 6oz fibreglass 60 inches wide in the UK or fibreglass that will do for the canoe. Also what is the difference between twill weave and plain weave and what is the best one to use for coating the outside.
Bill Martin
Edinburgh

Glen Smith · Post by **Glen Smith** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:46 pm

We normally use plain weave cloth. This info is from the John R. Sweet Co. website:

"Once the construction is determined, the weave pattern is the next consideration. Most fabrics are plain weave, which means each yarn passes over one then under one of the crossing yarns in the simplest possible pattern. The most common type of twill weave is the two-by-two twill, where each yarn passes over two and under two, resulting in a diagonal pattern that is quite striking, especially when different color yarns alternate, as in our style 1100 hybrid fabric. Twill weave permits the fabric to be somewhat more conformable without losing a great deal of fabric stability. In a satin weave, each yarn floats over three or more cross yarns and then passes under one. In four-harness satin, a yarn passes over three and under one, while in an 8H-satin, a yarn passes over seven and under one. One particular type of 4H-satin is called crowfoot weave. Satin weaves are the most conformable but are loose and easily distorted during handling. The following table lists only a few of the hundreds of available fiberglass styles with a complete description of each. Although some fabrics have different warp and fill yarns, none of these do, so the yarn shown is used in both."

Perhaps a West Systems dealer in your area has the 60 inch cloth on hand. Here is a list of U.K. dealers:

UNITED KINGDOM
Marinac Yacht Fittings, Ltd
24-26 Boswell Square
Hillington Indust'l Estate
Glasgow G52 4BQ
Tel: 01418-838723
Fax: 01418-834638

Marine & Indust'l Sealants
Keepers Cove, Westwick Hill
North Walsham, Norfolk
Tel: 01692-538263
Fax: 01692-538692

Robbins Timber
Units 12-18 Brookgate
Ashton Vale Trading Estate
Bristol BS3 2UN
Tel: 0117 963 3136
Fax: 0117 963 7927

Simpson-Lawrence Ltd
218/228 Edmiston Dr
Glasgow G51 2YT
Tel: 01414-300 9100
Fax: 01414-275419

Simpson-Lawrence Ltd
Unit G, Fort Wallington
Fareham, Hampshire PO15 8TT
Tel: 01329-823300
Fax: 01329-823282

Sowester
Stingsford Rd, Nuffield Industrial Estate
Poole, Dorset BH17 OSW
Tel: 01202 667700
Fax: 01202 668585

Wessex Resins & Adhesives Ltd.
Cupernham House, Cupernham Lane
Romsey, Hampshire SO51 7LF
Tel: +44 (0)1794-521111
Fax: +44 (0)1794-517779
Email: information@wessex-resins.com

Good luck in your search and please advise me if you find the product you are looking for so I can share this info with others.

Glen Smith · Post by **Glen Smith** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:21 pm

Bill, I just verified with Richard, one of our UK members and he couldn't find 60 inch cloth either. He settled for a narrower cloth and overlapped it at the keel line which will reinforce the keel so it's a good thing.