Preview: Mastering Epoxy with Russell Brown, Part 5 – Fiberglass Tape & Peel Ply for Shallow Fillets

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Russell shows us step by step through how to strengthening a fillet with fiberglass tape and revealing the use and effectiveness of peel ply.

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15 Responses So Far to “Mastering Epoxy with Russell Brown, Part 5 – Fiberglass Tape & Peel Ply for Shallow Fillets

  • Dennis Annotti says:

    What weight peel ply do you use for thinner pieces on more curved sections?

  • eddie somers says:

    I am building a Doug Hylan designed 16′ Ben Garvey. I am seriously considering using peel ply on all of the outside parts of the hull. Seems like the perfect way to avoid blush. Are there any problems with doing this other than the extra expense? Great videos and site!

  • James Charewicz says:

    What kind of heater did you use under the boat to keep the hull warm?

    • Nate Rooks

      Nate Rooks says:

      Hi James – Just a standard oil-filled space heater.

  • Philip Fronce says:

    What material is the peel ply, dacron, polyester? Is there a supplier you could recommend?

    • Nate Rooks

      Nate Rooks says:

      Philip – peel ply is typically polyester or nylon fabric. WEST System makes a great one to go with their epoxy, but there are plenty of generic options out there as well.

  • Sean Scully says:

    Little tricks like these make things go smoothly. Wished I knew them years ago. Thank You!

  • Kimberly Young says:

    Excellent instruction! I would have loved to seen these videos before completing these steps on the PT11 I am building! Cutting the chine tapes – a sewer’s rotary cutter tool, with a sharp blade, does a nice job. It is not as good on the tougher peel-ply, but on fiberglass it works great.

  • Eric Edwards says:

    Thank you Russell and staff for continuing this series offering clear strategies when dealing with the sticky stuff. I built a Ted Moores RedBird strip canoe 30 yrs ago and swore I’d never sand that amount of Epoxy again. Now, I’m getting prepared to embark on a plywood project. This concise approach is very timely and appreciated. The end result of the thickened epoxy fillet and peel ply technique is nothing short of brilliant. Thanks and please keep them coming.

  • Peter Dautel says:

    This series has been invaluable! All the tips and tricks well explained by both Russell and Eric are excellent subjects to learn from (for me), prior to engaging in a Marissa 18 build project I will be starting shortly. Reviewing and learning their methods has helped take some of the anxiety out of the project before me, and is recommended viewing for those who will be taking on any epoxy construction, thanks!

  • John Barton says:

    John Barton
    I am new to boat building and Russell Browns series on Epoxy has been a fantastic help to me.
    I have learned so many great techniques. I really appreciate Russell’s willingness to share his expertise.

  • Michael Mittleman says:

    Russell, you are a master and this series shares several useful techniques – thank you. Regarding uniform width epoxy beads for the chines, have you tried using painter’s tape? Simply place the tape on each side of the seam forming a space that is the desired seam width. Lay down and smooth the epoxy. Then carefully remove the tape before anything cures and voila! – knife-edged seams of uniform width.

  • Eric J Nelson says:

    Wow, that makes me think of how much absurd messy sanding I have done with fillets and epoxy. Even with being really careful, the masterful are no match for the fillet chisel and the peel ply!! Crazy awesome!

  • Robert hatcher says:

    Ditto Burton Blake.
    Russel is both a good Craftsman and a good teacher. He gives both the how and the why.
    More on anything about wooden boats from him. Please!

  • Burton Blais says:

    I just love this series – been building ply boats for a long time, but I am learning so many techniques that will make my life easier on the next build. I must say, too, that the PT11 is a gorgeous boat and seems very functional. Would dearly love one as my next tender (though I’ll have to put a few miles under the keel of my recent shellback dinghy build before I part company with her – mind, I could just build a PT11 slooowly while I use my current tender).

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