Casting

[zak]

It is a plastic component this time for speed, but hopefully will be homemade in future.
Can I have access to your little bits and pieces?
What are they?

[Haddock]

dowels, taper-pins, various steel balls, all sorts, what do you need? I could get some casting boxes done but not real quick. Got a box of assorted shim, brass and steel, a few different sizes,can be cut with scissors,all stuff that could come in useful with a bit of imagination.
Haddock.

[zak]

Well, that's me out then, imagination, not a lot of that about.
Thanks for the offer, will let you know.
My two parts mould has gone _ _ _ _ up. The master detached itself from the bottom mould and is floating on top of the second upper mould. Will endeavour to do better next time.

[zak]

Well at the risk of going up in smoke here is my second attempt at casting a two part mould.
I bought some generic Lego from Wilko - you get a tub full for £3.50.
The pictures show the master in the mould and then the second is the moulding rubber on top.
It is now a case of waiting 24 hours and then seeing how it has gone.


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[Bigkev]

Going up in smoke??

Are you 'Allibongo' in disguise??

Bigkev

Interesting stuff though, that casting Malarky

[zak]

Well, things are not going too well, the weather seems to alter the curing rate and my mould barriers are not fluid tight, just having to wait for a bit longer.

[zak]

Here it is with a few problems, I cracked the mould and then attempted to cast from it. My air oulet needs to be a bit larger I think the resin only filled half the mould.
It has been a really interesting process and I can say that it has inspired me to do better.
Watch this space.

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[Kiteman]

If at first you don`t succeed...........  Keep going I am allready very impressed!

[zak]

I have enlarged the air hole and will attempt another cast.

[zak]

This is the latest, needs cleaning up, getting better but not there yet.
I need to watch those air holes.

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[Bigkev]

Yep, holes of nothing are worthless!!

Though 'Polo's' did well.........................

Bigkev

Don't you think that's a 'mint' of an idea?

[Haddock]

Must be very satisfying to see the learning curve getting steeper. Impressive!
Haddock.

[zak]

Frustrating as well.

[zak]

Another cast from the two part mould.
Getting better.
The second picture is a one part mould for some wheels for my next project.
In this case the wheels were scratch built from plastic card, rod and so on.
Front wheel, and the two rear ones. The casts are green and straight from the mould. They need cleaning up.
It probably takes longer to make one of each and cast them than it would to make them all from scratch. I am trying to think ahead (dangerous) for projects in the distant future.
I did make them flat at the bottom on purpose before you ask.

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[zak]

Well, it is getting better, all the wheels for the Model T Fords were cast this way and the wheels for the next project are all done, I now need to build the vehicle.