RE: ATM Carbon vs. Glass fiber for tube

["David J. File" <davefile@compuserve.com>]

Jeff,
   Most of what has been said about fiberglass vs carbon is true and I
won't get into the details of their discussion ... yet (just got back from
out of town this weekend).
   Anyway, using either material you can achieve the same overall stiffness
of the tube you desire.  IOW if you hang a ten pound weight at one end of
the tube you can make the fiberglass deflection equal to the carbon tube
deflection.  Of course the fiberglass tube will way about twice to three
times more.  BUT we're talking 5 lbs delta for a small tube and 15 lbs
delta for a large 20" diameter tube 80 inches in length.  Either can be
"light weight" if the tubes are vacume bagged during the cure (the only
other fiberglass tubes I know of are not vacume bagged!!!).
   BTW I'm the Great Wave Tube fabricator (July S&T Marketplace).  If you
(or others reading this) would like a catelog email me a reply seperate
from this ATM list with your address (no spam).

Regards,
Dave File
Pacific Works