Fiberglass & Composite Materials: An Enthusiast's Guide to High Performance Non-Metallic Materials for Automotive Racing and Marine Use

Rating:
Summary: Creates an excellent foundation.
Review: An excellent book for learning about fiberglass/composites. Before reading this book, I had little knowledge about composties, but a desire to learn. The information is presented in a way that anyone can understand it. Aird educates the reader about different fiber types and weaves, resins and resin systems, gel coat, trade tools, safety, and basic lay-up. He also includes information on molds, plugs, and strength/stress -- though I feel these sections make having some hands-on knowledge of composites an asset, which I lack. It is an excellent book that can take you from knowing nothing, to a point where you can talk intelligently about composites with someone in the FRP field. As other reviews have pointed out, this is not a step by step manual; but is probably a prerequisite to actually understanding one. In conclusion: I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about fiberglass and composite systems.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely worth the price
Review: I had an interest in getting into Fiberglassing, so i bought this book. As most of the other people who reviewed this book said, it's not a step by step manual, but it offers a very good overview. Good enough that i ended up buying a second copy for a friend. If you have an interest, i would recommend this book. It's worth the price.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely worth the price
Review: I had an interest in getting into Fiberglassing, so i bought this book. As most of the other people who reviewed this book said, it's not a step by step manual, but it offers a very good overview. Good enough that i ended up buying a second copy for a friend. If you have an interest, i would recommend this book. It's worth the price.

Rating:
Summary: Good general information, not a step by step guide.
Review: The book provides information about many different types of composite materials. It discusses the differences in these materials and why you would choose one over the other. It is definately not a step by step guide nor is it geared to any one specific use of composite materials. This is probably a book for a boat/race car/airplane designer who needs to know more about the different types of composites out there. It also covers building molds and plugs; something more for the commercial person than the do it yourselfer. If you just want to build/repair a boat or a car there are better books out there. If you have no clue about the different types of fiberglass cloth and resins and the like and you are about to start a big project, then maybe this is the book for you. Just remember, it is not a step by step guide and it does not go into great detail on any one specific topic. It is sort of an industry overview.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent overview
Review: This book is more of an overview than a step-by-step instruction book, but it still contains a great deal of highly practical information. If you are thinking of using composites in a car, homebuilt plane, or boat, this book is a good first step. It is one of the few that is up-to-date enough to treat the new epoxy systems and fibers like Kevlar and carbon as practical options.

Rating:
Summary: Fiberglass & Composite Materials : An Enthusiast's Guide to
Review: This is an excellent overview of materials and current practices.

You might want to consider getting the book MARINE COMPOSITES (www.marinecomposites.com) on your site to compliment Mr. Aird's good book.