Aluminum composite teardrop

[MatthewWorks]

What adhesive were you thinking of using between the ACM and your wooden "skeleton"? I've been thinking polyurethane construction adhesive (such as Loctite PL Premium*), but in part because I've used it elsewhere and had great results.

*edited to correct the glue name. Seems it used to be called something else, but that might be a neuron misfiring.

[bobwhite215]

Not sure on an adhesive yet. We cut letters and numbers out of the stuff for dimensional signs, and usually use a silicone adhesive to hold them in place. I like the idea of silicone, since it should give a little. I don't think there will be an issue with oil canning because of the different expansion rates, but if there is, the silicone should provide a little "give". Going to experiment by sticking some scraps together with different adhesives.

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[bobwhite215]

Good info on adhesives for dibond brand at

https://www.lairdplastics.com/product/b ... r-material

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[bobwhite215]

Getting closer to actually starting. I will be picking up my frame on Saturday, and located a source for my 5x10 plywood. Have a sheet of 5x10 foam board coming in Friday so that I can start laying out my profile template. Sawdust should be flying soon. Spring will be here before we know it.

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[felixx]

Just make sure you use acl with aluminium on both sides.
I did one side with aluminum only on one side. .




The cladding cracked on that side

[bobwhite215]

Just make sure you use acl with aluminium on both sides.
I did one side with aluminum only on one side. .




The cladding cracked on that side

I've actually never seen it with the aluminum on just one side.

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[bobwhite215]

Picked up our frame this morning. 5x10 with torsion axle and 15" wheels. Should be starting on the floor by next weekend.

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[KCStudly]

That looks sweet!

[greygoos]

Bob - Being that you have a sign business can I ask if you have any experience with expanded PVC. Do you think it might be feasible to use as an exterior skin? Thank you and good luck with your build

[bobwhite215]

Bob - Being that you have a sign business can I ask if you have any experience with expanded PVC. Do you think it might be feasible to use as an exterior skin? Thank you and good luck with your build

We do not use pvc in outdoor applications. It tends to warp.

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[bobwhite215]

That looks sweet!

It us from Frank Bear at Vintage Technologies

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[aggie79]

I've been interested in acm for quite some time.


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[dancam]

Cool! Only disadvantage to acm i have seen is that it seems to dent easily. Is that going to be an issue for you? If you have really good mudflaps and maybe that diamond plating on the front it should be ok.
Not sure if it would work for how your planning to assemble it but there is really good structural double sided tape now as well as glue. Some trailer manufacturers use it on their trailers to hold basically everything together now. Stronger than mechanical fasteners. Look at 3m and loctite products


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[Sheddie]

Hi Bob,
welcome from New Zealand.
I see you are planning on using ACM/ACL (whichever you prefer to call it).
I thought you would like to know that I used it for my teardrop, and I am very pleased with it. Cutting and shaping was easy and it curved over the roof with no problem at all. Sides are glued to the ply, my sidewalls are 3/4" ply with holes cut out and polystyrene insulation and 3mm ply on the inside. If I had known then what I know now I would have cut out more of the 3/4" sheet. Over the roof the ACL is glued directly to the cross beams with the polystyrene insulation between the ACL and the inner skin.
I used 4mm acl and had no problem bending it over the curve of the roof and hatch. If you are using 3mm it should be even easier. I used 3m x 1.5m sheets on the sides and a 4.8m (15' 9") x 1.5m (5') for the top which was long enough to do the full length over the roof and hatch. And the best part was that once it was fastened on it was finished. No sanding and painting etc!

I will be interested to see this build progress, all the best with it

[bobwhite215]

Hi Bob,
welcome from New Zealand.
I see you are planning on using ACM/ACL (whichever you prefer to call it).
I thought you would like to know that I used it for my teardrop, and I am very pleased with it. Cutting and shaping was easy and it curved over the roof with no problem at all. Sides are glued to the ply, my sidewalls are 3/4" ply with holes cut out and polystyrene insulation and 3mm ply on the inside. If I had known then what I know now I would have cut out more of the 3/4" sheet. Over the roof the ACL is glued directly to the cross beams with the polystyrene insulation between the ACL and the inner skin.
I used 4mm acl and had no problem bending it over the curve of the roof and hatch. If you are using 3mm it should be even easier. I used 3m x 1.5m sheets on the sides and a 4.8m (15' 9") x 1.5m (5') for the top which was long enough to do the full length over the roof and hatch. And the best part was that once it was fastened on it was finished. No sanding and painting etc!

I will be interested to see this build progress, all the best with it

Thanks Sheddie. Looks good. What type of adhesive did you use to bond the ACM to the plywood?

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