So many of us cannot fit in the slim seat found in a lot of Prosports. I cut mine in half and made a larger seat using carbon fiber and epoxy. I did leave the leg portion of the seat the same width as original.
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I made two side plates out of aluminum to attach the seat to the floor and the back bulkhead.
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I had to split my seat down the middle and widen it myself. I used carbon fiber to put it back together. I get my carbon from https://www.sollercomposites.com/Carbon-6K-Fabrics.html . Twill gives you the best drape. The resin from http://store.raka.com/11/2quartepoxykit.aspx . Get the medium it wets out good and doesn't run out all over the floor like the thin does.
Thanks Neil, that is very helpful. I hadn't thought of covering the entire seat in carbon fiber. I was thinking of just adding a strip down the center. I like you approach much better. Were you able to get the material to conform to the entire seat? or did you have to add some darts to relieve the tension?
Charley
The twill weave has remarkable drape. I didn't cut it. BTW it is best to have all the plies cut prior to layup. Plus stack the plies in reverse order so the first ply to lay down is on the top of the stack.
Not obvious is that I also raised the sides of the seat. I am shaped like a beach ball and that helps hold me in place. That poor seat has been chopped and channeled but now fits me like a glove.
Looks good. Do you remember how many plies you pit on each side? Did you alter the fiber orientation between plies? I know what you mean about body shape. I always tell people that I am in great shape... round is a shape 😉
I used probably 3 plies on the top and 3 on the back. Ply orientation is difficult to maintain because of the shape of the seat but yeah I do try to change the direction per ply to cover all directions. Do not skimp on the resin. Dry layups are not very strong. I have seen this on kit airplanes were the owner is trying to save weight.
BTW I spent 32 years in the aerospace business, researching composites.
