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Post by Sylvain on Sept 2, 2004 12:10:14 GMT 1
Well, first, I must thank you all for the kind words. Dwight, thanks, vacations were fine. Too short but fine. Now, back to work I’m afraid.
About Cutter’s models, yes, I have finished to build the 3 models. Nice models, really, even if what Lee says is somewhat true. But all I’ve said before about the qualities of the models is true too. I will send pictures of the models to Eric.
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Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
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Post by Lee on Sept 3, 2004 3:15:35 GMT 1
We pour the first part of the new molds today. The second part will be poured tomorrow. Jerry is going house sitting Sunday for two weeks which will bring everything to a halt. The first casting should be done sometime in the last half of September. I took pictures of the equipment which I am forwarding to Eric. I will email them to anyone who is interested.
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ghoti
Apprentice
Posts: 35
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Post by ghoti on Sept 5, 2004 22:30:48 GMT 1
Lee,
"regular molding rubber which we will de-air with the vacuum"
Did you ever get the vacuum leak fixed? I was wondering if there was some way to rig a pressure line to the vacuum pot so you could treat it as a pressure leak and use the soapy water trick. Just a thought.
Jim
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Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
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Post by Lee on Sept 7, 2004 18:08:17 GMT 1
Not yet. SMCC had the same problem and also used quick disconnects, which I think is where the problem lies. I am going to take the fittings off and just hook the hose direct from the vacuum pump to the pressure pot. This will create a little more work each time, but I think that I will be able to go lower on the vacuum by doing it.
As for pressuring the vacuum system all I have to do is open both valves at the pressure pot. My question is what will this do to the vacuum pump and the vacuum guage. In looking thru the web it seems that the pros use pressure to find vacuum leaks. There is a can of smoke that they use for refrigeration systems.
The new 10 to 1 molding rubber that we bought from Silpak is a lot smoother, stronger and more flexible. It looks like a winner. Our next little problem was we didn't use enough mold release in the corners and along the edges causing the part B pouring to stick to the part A. The two had to be cut apart. We are learning from our mistakes, I hope.
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Ed
Apprentice
Posts: 78
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Post by Ed on Sept 8, 2004 17:46:17 GMT 1
Years ago, I worked in a testing laboratory, and used a vacuum pump to create a vacuum. The container for the sample was very heavy glass, and the lid was sealed with a pasty substance. Something like this would allow for viewing of the degassing of the molding.
Does anyone know what this kind of container is called? Twenty years later, I forget!
Ed
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Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
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Post by Lee on Sept 8, 2004 20:34:02 GMT 1
Ed I have purchased a vacuum chamber with a round 1/2" thick glass side on ebay. It was some kind of seperator with lots of holes in the top. The top is cracked so will have to be replaced with something else.
You are right about being able to watch the de-airing of the rubber thru the glass. It is much better to be able to see the rubber rise/bubble to its full height and then fall back and bubble. It is when the rubber falls that it has reached the vacuum needed for de-airing. Without the glass, I can only guess.
I was just wanted to be able to do everything in one chamber/pot/tank. I think that I will have to fix up the vacuum chamber and use it for de-airing the rubber. The resin can be both de-aired and pressured in the pressure pot.
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Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
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Post by Lee on Sept 16, 2004 1:23:18 GMT 1
We had a little time today to cast two vehicles. With the new rubber and the equipment the detail came out very sharp and crisp. The hood orniment looked great. The down side is that we are trying to work with a two part mold instead on the one part we used at SMCC. The resin leaked out thru the seam in the molds on the first try when we used vacuum and pressure. On the second try we used just pressure but not enough resin. . I think the molds will have to be remade a different way. It will be another week before we can get together to try again. Pictures being sent to Eric.
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Post by Eric on Sept 19, 2004 17:36:08 GMT 1
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Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
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Post by Lee on Sept 22, 2004 0:21:09 GMT 1
Hooked the hose up to the vacuum pump direct without the disconnects. Still cannot get over (under?) -26 lbs. but this doesn't seem to be too much of a problem with the de-airing of the rubber. The new rubber is working great. No air holes in the molds. The molds are strong but very flexable.
The dusting powder that we bought along with the rubber is really doing its job. Where ever the molds are dusted with it air does not stay trapped. Also when the a little bit of the dusting powder is mixed with the resin, it makes for a very strong model. Still playing with it to get the right porportions.
We are getting good models without having to use the vacuum or the pressure on the resin.
We are in the process of making new and better molds and should be done soon. Jerry so excited with the detail we are now obtaining that he is like a little kid on Christmas morning viewing his first electric train. When you see the pictures of the new castings, you will see why I was not happy with the preproduction pieces that we sent to Sylvain.
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Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
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Post by Lee on Sept 30, 2004 2:25:36 GMT 1
Did some more mold pouring today. Also took pictures of the Mercury and some of the new molds. Sent pictures to Eric. Poor Eric is getting more pictures than he probably wants or knows what to do with. We should finish the molds tomorrow and do the first casting in the new molds Sunday.
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Post by Eric on Sept 30, 2004 22:35:55 GMT 1
Poor Eric is getting more pictures than he probably wants or knows what to do with. Lee, Keep those pictures coming anyway, work (starting a new job tomorrow) has kept me from doing anything with them yet, but they will definately be placed online. Eventually. ;D Eric
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Oct 1, 2004 0:27:33 GMT 1
Dear Eric:
A bit off the subject, but good luck at the new place.
Nick K
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Post by mrbst30 on Oct 2, 2004 2:26:44 GMT 1
The cars look phenomenal, and the period dealership really finishes it perfectly. Keep up the hard work, and I am definitely looking forward to building these ones.
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Post by cfesmire on Oct 2, 2004 3:43:56 GMT 1
I also like the dealership very much, especially those very realistic looking high-tension wires in the background.
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Post by Sylvain on Oct 2, 2004 10:08:13 GMT 1
Very nice models, once again… Congratulations!
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