Dan Randall
Western Thunderer
If Simon's up for it, how about a pattern for some Western "engine theatres" please Rob. 
Regards
Dan
Regards
Dan
Seat casting in resin
- Thread starter Simon
- Start date
Simon
Flying Squad
Trackbed too wet for track laying so I've been in the shed.
This has been a really good project for getting me off my a**e
I have now started putting the mould with uncured resin into the vacuum chamber and applying vacuum, and without any of the usual poking around with bits of wire am now getting what can only be described as 100% reliable results, which is great, well more than great - it's amazing and I definitely owe John T a drink or two
It is a moderately time consuming business though, I am now up to 12 successful casts (one in the mould) as this picture shows. I have filled the first few dodgy ones and have only suffered one total loss, and even that could be used if new armrests were added.
If I made a second mould I could up my production rate given the success of the vacuum chamber, and this whole project is certainly giving me food for thought.
This has been a really good project for getting me off my a**e
I have now started putting the mould with uncured resin into the vacuum chamber and applying vacuum, and without any of the usual poking around with bits of wire am now getting what can only be described as 100% reliable results, which is great, well more than great - it's amazing and I definitely owe John T a drink or two
It is a moderately time consuming business though, I am now up to 12 successful casts (one in the mould) as this picture shows. I have filled the first few dodgy ones and have only suffered one total loss, and even that could be used if new armrests were added.
If I made a second mould I could up my production rate given the success of the vacuum chamber, and this whole project is certainly giving me food for thought.
Attachments
Phill Dyson
Western Thunderer
Wow , I can't wait to see the Second Open seats 
.....I think you might need a few moulds on the go for that project though :laugh:
Phill :wave:
, I can't wait to see the Second Open seats .....I think you might need a few moulds on the go for that project though :laugh: Phill :wave:
lancer1027
Western Thunderer
EXELLENT work Simon. Cant wait till i can start fitting into my coaches 
. The second open seats are finished (pairs) i just have the (single) to do Hopefully get that done in the next few days.
Dan as regards the engine/boiler theatres yep i can do that no probs if Simon is ok with it.
. The second open seats are finished (pairs) i just have the (single) to do Hopefully get that done in the next few days. Dan as regards the engine/boiler theatres yep i can do that no probs if Simon is ok with it.
Simon
Flying Squad
Thanks very much for the continuing encouragement, much appreciated
As of this morning I have produced 24 perfect casts with a further 2 semi usable. I have just got back from paying the deposit for Camrail this year (phew) and before going to work this afternoon I am going to try and get the next section of track down in the garden.
Will post some pictures later hopefully.
What's a Western "engine theatre" when its at home?
As of this morning I have produced 24 perfect casts with a further 2 semi usable. I have just got back from paying the deposit for Camrail this year (phew) and before going to work this afternoon I am going to try and get the next section of track down in the garden.
Will post some pictures later hopefully.
What's a Western "engine theatre" when its at home?
28ten
Guv'nor
The engine theatre is a dummy piece about an inch square to go behind the engine room windows givine the impression of engineroom detail
what we really want is something like this http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/misc/military/previews/greatwall/l3518.htm
what we really want is something like this http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/misc/military/previews/greatwall/l3518.htm
Simon
Flying Squad
This is a view of the workbench this morning, showing one of the seat mouldings ready to be removed from the mould. I am also casting (1/32ish) packing cases which I part fill with mix after filling up the seat mould. In order to save resin I put blocks of softwood into the mould, but as this picture shows you can also put reject bits of already cast resin too :lol:
Attachments
lancer1027
Western Thunderer
Hi Simon, those packing cases look awesome 
. I noticed a couple of seats in one of the other moulds. They dont seem to be the compartment 3seats :scratch: Are they singles. Another quick question, these second open pairs,do you want me to make two so both can be used for the mould and make it abit easier for you when casting ?
Rob :wave:
. I noticed a couple of seats in one of the other moulds. They dont seem to be the compartment 3seats :scratch: Are they singles. Another quick question, these second open pairs,do you want me to make two so both can be used for the mould and make it abit easier for you when casting ? Rob :wave:
Dan Randall
Western Thunderer
lancer1027 said:Dan as regards the engine/boiler theatres yep i can do that no probs if Simon is ok with it.
Nice one Rob. If Simon doesn't mind casting some, that'll be excellent
I must say, this casting business looks jolly interesting and the seat mouldings look great. Regards
Dan
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
Some excellent work and results there Simon
What is the big mould on the LH of that photo for?
Steve
What is the big mould on the LH of that photo for?
Steve
Phill Dyson
Western Thunderer
Hi Simon :wave: I just need the 224 doubles pleaseSimon said:
Cheers Phill
westernfan
Western Thunderer
amazing stuff simon the vac forming is the way no air bubbles i had a go at casting some small scale stuff a few years back the silicone rubber ( i think thats what it was) came in small blue pellets which i heated up on the cooker then i poured over the model to make a mould once i had dispensed with the mould i could melt it back down and reuse but your way is the biz thanks for showing us . all those seats will keep you busy for a while though
i had a go at casting some small scale stuff a few years back the silicone rubber ( i think thats what it was) came in small blue pellets which i heated up on the cooker then i poured over the model to make a mould once i had dispensed with the mould i could melt it back down and reuse but your way is the biz thanks for showing us . all those seats will keep you busy for a while though
Simon
Flying Squad
Steve Cook said:Some excellent work and results there Simon
What is the big mould on the LH of that photo for?
Steve
Thanks, the big mould is for the GW 2 plank, a recent cast of which is in the background. I am having air bubble problems with this so will try it in the vacuum chamber in due course, I think it will fit - just!
Simon
Flying Squad
westernfan said:amazing stuff simon the vac forming is the way no air bubbles
Hi Simon :wave: I just need the 224 doubles pleasePhill Dyson said:
Cheers Phill[/quote:2md8fzb2]
Thanks and Oo- er respectively :lol:
By virtue of playing loud patriotic music and promises of an extra ration of rice, the operatives in the peoples republic of Litchurch Lane (shed cadre) last night managed to reach a total production figure of 32 seat units.
They may need further "re-education" before second class production commences :shock:
Phill Dyson
Western Thunderer
That's the kind of mix I like :laugh:Simon said:
Phill
Simon
Flying Squad
Here is the vacuum set up. The pump is an Edwards high vacuum unit that I was given, complete with piece of flexible pipe, which is simply pushed over the threaded pipe fitting on the side of the vacuum cylinder.
This is a piece of steam pipe with a flange welded on to the bottom, complete with a pipe fitting with two valves and a gauge (which doesn't work), my friend John Taylor (the very excellent profile milling Yorkshireman) gave me this. The "lid" is rather crude, two pieces of perspex stuck together with timebond, this is sealed against the chamber by a bead of silicone sealant. All the "feathering" is where I first used the set up when the silicone was still wet, being impatient. Although the lid is cracked (one sheet only) it forms a good seal against the subsequent and cured silicone bead, imperfect as that is. I will invest in a piece of laminated or thick glass with ground edges to replace my dodgy perspex laminate if I can get one at affordable cost.
This is a piece of steam pipe with a flange welded on to the bottom, complete with a pipe fitting with two valves and a gauge (which doesn't work), my friend John Taylor (the very excellent profile milling Yorkshireman) gave me this. The "lid" is rather crude, two pieces of perspex stuck together with timebond, this is sealed against the chamber by a bead of silicone sealant. All the "feathering" is where I first used the set up when the silicone was still wet, being impatient. Although the lid is cracked (one sheet only) it forms a good seal against the subsequent and cured silicone bead, imperfect as that is. I will invest in a piece of laminated or thick glass with ground edges to replace my dodgy perspex laminate if I can get one at affordable cost.
Attachments
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
Simon said:
That'll be the same as the two bodies I bought of you about 18 months ago then
I really ought to extract a digit and get 'em in paint, shame the weekend weather looks so poor...
Hope the mould fits OK, although the two I've got aren't bad in the air bubble department.
Steve
Sorry, back on topic now
