We only recommend books we have read and tools we have used.
After several years in the composites business, we have come across stuff we like, and stuff we don't. Below are some of our favorites and must haves for people getting into composite fabrication.
Competition Car Composites
Competition Car Composites: A Practical Handbook (Revised 2nd Edition)
This book is so good it made it into our "Top 3" on our home page. A must read for anyone building any type of racing vehicle.
Composite Materials Fabrication Handbook #1
Composite Materials: Fabrication Handbook 1 (Composite Garage Series)
Another book from our "Top 3" that is a great book for beginners.
Composite Materials Fabrication Handbook #2
Composite Materials: Fabrication Handbook 2 (Composite Garage Series)
This is the second book of John Wanberg's series. It expands a bit on what is learned in volume #1, but also introduces new techniques.
Composite Materials Fabrication Handbook #3
Composite Materials: Fabrication Handbook 3 (Composite Garage Series)
Again adding new project and techniques, this book continues to expand your skill set and knowledge base on composites.
Composite Materials Step-by-Step Projects
Composite Materials: Step-by-Step Projects (Wolfgang Publications)
The final book in Wanberg's series, handbook #4 takes a slightly different approach with minimal wording, but a ton of pictures and more advanced techniques. I would recommend 1-3 first, before tackling this book.
Fiberglass & Carbon Fiber Parts
How to Fabricate Automotive Fiberglass & Carbon Fiber Parts
This one is more automotive related. It covers a lot of aspects of composites related to cars and hot rods but does not get overly complex. A good read for someone starting composites in the automotive area.
Fiberglass & Other Composite Materials
Fiberglass & Other Composite Materials: A Guide to High Performance Non-Metallic Materials for Race Cars, Street Rods, Body Shops, Boats, and Aircraft.
This one was good enough to make it into our "Top 3" and by the title, you can see that it covers a broad range of topics.
The Fiberglass Boat Repair Manual
The Fiberglass Boat Repair Manual
If you want a better understanding of fiberglass, this is a good one. Its specifically for boats, but the techniques can easily cross over to automotive projects and mold construction and repair.
More reading options...
There are a plethora of books related to composite materials ranging from very entry level books all the way up to books that get down to the molecular construction of the composite material itself that costs several hundred dollars! Remember, the composites world is very vast, but it never hurts to learn more, and have a solid foundation of the basics.
Have something to add?
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