: snip

: There are three reasons that come to mind for why people apply the glass on a
: bias.

: 1). One is to get the best strength by having the glass fibers running at 45
: degrees to the axis of the strips. I thinnk this was tried, and didn;t
: work as well as expected. As I recall, you'd get the best strength with
: the greatest number of glass fibers perpendicular to the length of the
: strips.

: The second is to get the greatest usage from the cloth. By putting on bands
: of cloth at 45 degrees, you would clip any overhang very close to the
: gunwales or sheer strips. The next strip would start with that angular-cut
: edge and have little waste. You just have to remember that you'll have
: seams, or areas where the cloth will overlap as you apply one bias strip
: next to another. If you overlap the selvedge edges of the fabric you'll
: have the thickest bumps to sand down. If you cut off the selvedge edges
: your overlaps won't be as thick, but watch it when you apply the resin so
: you don't fray the edges .

: The third reason I've heard for using cloth on a bias is that the cloth can
: deform to fit the curvature of the hull better. If you clip off the
: selvedge edges and tug gently you can put a very deep curve into a flat
: sheet of glass fabric, which is great to get it to fit over the ends. If
: you go this route, be VERY gentle with the tugging. Once you get the
: fabric to curve it doesn't like to return to being flat again.

: Personally, I use the cloth straight in line, and use pieces applied on a
: bias just at the ends for additional reinforcement.

snip

: Hope this helps.

: PGJ

Hi Paul and Dave,
Bias laid cloth is most usually used on multi-layer lay-ups, either for strip sheathing or solid glass hulls. Used in multiple layers, the bias strips can be laid edge to edge with the next layer offset on the same bias or at 90 degrees. This eliminates the overlap bump problem.
The usual combination I've seen used is 45, 45, 90 or 0 degrees. ( 0 degrees runs lengthwise)

With a single layer, I'd agree with Paul, run the weave perpendicular to the strips or at a slight bias, a few degrees for easier draping.

Mike Savage
South West Cork