Nomex Supplier?

[brian64]

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"Originally Posted on: December 6th 2009"


Does anyone know where you can get nomex in Oz?

[Kim]

No.

I looked around and discovered nomex is used in the aircraft body repair industry, but all the examples i found were too thick and the matrix too large to consider usefull for a double top. If you do find any that fits the bill, post your source here, but as far as i know the USA is your only sure bet and for what it it worth, you may as well go with LMI so you know your getting the proper material instead of something someone else who knows nothing about what you are trying to do thinks will do because he wants to shift it.

Also be very aware that there is a great deal of exposure to epoxy when using nomex so keep your heath and safety in mind when working with it.

Cheers

Kim
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[Dominic]

Hey Brian, I also looked around and ended getting some from LMI when the search proved fruitless. Its 26 bucks (US) so was not too expensive.

I am keen to do a double top with it some time soon. There was a great article in the GAL journal a while ago which went into how to glue it up and what type of epoxy to use etc. Well worth a read if you haven't already.
Cheers
Dom
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[brian64]

Thanks Kim and Dom.

I have a problem whenever I order something from the States....I have to buy more stuff "to make the most of the shipping costs".

Actually, it's more my wife who has a problem when I do that.

I have some really nice hardwood veneers, and after reading some threads on MIMF, I thought I'd try using them for a double top.

I might have to wait until there's other stuff I have to get from LMI.

[rocket]

Hey all! Pardon my ignorance but what do you mean by "double top"?

[kiwigeo]

Instead of a single top you have two ultra thin tops seperated by a honeycomb structured material called Nomex (made by Dupont).

Here's one luthier's method of building a double top using Nomex:

http://www.dunwellguitar.com/DoubleTop/DoubleTop.htm

[schrammguitars]

Hi Guys,
Here is the source that most people worldwide get their nomex:

http://www.acp-composites.com

LMI probably gets theirs from this source as well. This is also where I purchase mine for my double-tops.

[Kim]

Great link, thank you David Cool

Cheers

Kim
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[Allen]

How much of a weight savings are we talking about in building a double top? Seems like a huge amount of work and expense. Repairs would be interesting to do as well wouldn't they?
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Allen R. McFarlen

[Kim]

It's not so much about weight Allen as it is about strength. Done correctly one can completely do away with the tops bracing.

Cheers

Kim
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[Allen]

Following the link that Martin put up, it seems that this fellow is still bracing, so I'm left wondering what's the point?
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Allen R. McFarlen

[Kim]

He may be Allen but others do not, or do not so much as they would need to in single top construction. The point is to free up more working area in the top or to lighten the bracing to do so. It is a method which embraces the notion of the top being like a diaphragm or membrane if you like and seeks to exploit that to the fullest extent.

Cheers

Kim
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[Allen]

Does anyone have other links to build logs using Nomex? Interesting stuff.

[Kim]

Sorry about the slow edit Allen Embarassed I did have links a few years back but have changed PC's and OS without updating. I will get around to it but can't guarantee they will still be active. As i recall, without re-reading it all, the above link does discuss this.
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[J.F. Custom]

Here is another for you Allen I came across about five years ago and still managed to have the link to... Rolling Eyes

http://www.reynoldsguitars.com/dtop.shtml

Cheers,

Jeremy.

[brian64]

David, I couldn't find nomex on the ACP composites site - there were various types of "honeycomb" - standard, carbon and glass. Is it one of those?

I called Dupont in Oz - they don't have nomex but could give me the names of international distributors.

Nomex and double tops seem to be very experimental at the moment, so there's no proven right or wrong way to use it. In the link that Jeremy posted, the space for the Nomex was routed out of a full thickness top, and then braced. The sound is supposedly better that way than traditional. I've seen guitars where thin veneers were glued to the nomex with PU glue and then some bracing was used. That's what I want to experiment with, using figured hardwood veneers instead of spruce. Apparently aerospace components with membranes over nomex have a great tap tone, so I'd be interested to hear what Rosewood or Zebrawood veneers would sound like.

[kiwigeo]

Its the honeycomb product.

[schrammguitars]

Here is a more direct link

http://www.acp-composites.com/home.php?cat=256

Order the NH-03 0.060" x 24" x 48" This is the most common Nomex used by Dammann and others.

[brian64]

Thanks guys.

[ozwood]

Hi All ,

I have found a Supplier of Nomex who is happy to supply and charge by the M2 , His name is Alan Philips of Race 1 racing boats , they make racing scull's but are happy to Supply Nomex .his details are

allan@race1.com.au

Race1 Australia Pty Ltd
Unit J5B
39 Jones Street
Ultimo NSW 2007
ABN 3400 3566 774

Telephone
+612 9660 2915
Mobile
0419 602 205
Fax
+612 9660 6979

[Kim]

Thanks for the tip. The big question for anyone contacting this fellow will be "do you have it in .060"??? I could find Nomex in WA OK, but most suppliers have it in stock that is too thick for our use, still others have stuff with very large cells which is not suitable either. What we need for lutherie is quite specific so check David's post above before you ring because the wrong thing at the right price is never a bargain.

Cheers

Kim
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[blazemite]

So does nomex change the sound much ? Is it an improvement or what?

And you probably already know this but luthier mercentile sell nomex
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[kiwigeo]

A soundboard should be light and stiff. Using Nomex allows one to reduce weight (ie thinner top) without losing stiffness.
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[Kim]

Yes, nomex 'honeycomb' core is sandwiched between two 'skins' of spruce each much thinner than a traditional guitar top with epoxy. The idea is to achieve a highly responsive top by eliminating as much mass from the bracing as possible, thus reducing the nodal points or those areas of the top which are shown to sap away string energy especially in the lower bout. Some examples can be near brace free in the lower bout.

Cheers

Kim
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