Hexcel cloth Flat or twisted weave? Need advice please.

Hi everybody! Would need some advice on 6oz cloth from Hexcel.

I’m about to order some 6 oz cloth from seabase in the Uk, there are two different types of 6 oz hexcel cloth available.

One has twisted yarns in both directions and the other which is called “flat weave” has yarns that are twisted in only one direction.

http://www.seabase.ltd.uk/shopping/info/hexcel.htm

They say the flat weave wets out easier which sounds handy.

What would be the negatives with using flat weave cloth? Harder to fold on the laps?

I will be using the cloth mostly for smaller around 6’ shortboards, fish and maybe make a 6’8" semigun.

Working with Eps/Epoxy on these boards.

What would You recommend me to get? Is the difference big?

I’ve only glassed 5 boards so far, I’ve found the laps the hardest bit to get done in time before gelling. All those pesky strands have been hard to handle.

Thanks

/Erik

Erik

Isn’t Hexcel made in Finland? seems crazy to buy from the UK? I just bought some eps that looks like it was made in Norway??? Increases its carbon footprint somewhat!

I only use their 4 oz and the flat weave tucks just fine, more important to babysit it and get to the laps as the resin gels, so it doesn’t have a chance to fall away.

Would probably be about the same distance shipping it from Finland, but I think I know what You mean, there’s a big maker of fiberglass skipoles and fiberglass masts in Finland with a very similar name to Hexcel. I think Xcel is their name.

I can get fibreglass here in Sweden, but I’m going to order some of that RR epoxy so might as well try and get it all from one source plus would be nice to try out the hexcel fiberglass.

i believe the twisted weave will hold more resin. marginal increase in strength, more noticeable increase in weight.

Hi Erik

Seabase are out of RR till the end of september, get your order in quick, I don’t think that they quite anticipated the demand for the stuff, I am sure it will settle down.

You will really like it.