Moulding Resin Parts

[MartinBg]

Quickly some background.

A few years ago, the good lady gave me a Fleetscale semi kit of HMS Vanguard at 1:128 scale as a Christmas/Birthday present.
On and off, I have slowly constructed the superstructure sections alongside other models and am near completion of these structures. On inspecting the fittings, I have noted that I',m short of several life rafts and WT doors and 2 x 40mm bofors made of resin.

My question to the membership: I have never cast resin parts and have no experience or knowledge in doing so (probably the only club member with this handicap). Am I able to use some of the resin parts to make up a mould/cast new bits and if so, how do I go about it.

Can you give me an idea on what material I need to purchase and possibly where I can order it from.

Any help would be much appreciated and I would be iternally grateful....

Martin the handicapped.....

[DickyD47]

Not many replies Martin.

[alienpew]

It's because he's touched on a very complex subject which takes an awlful lot of explaining, one doesn't quite
have to think 'outside the square' but rather think of the square inside out !
Allan.

[MartinBg]

Not many replies Martin.

I didn't think it was a big deal....nobody luvs me any more

Mdu

[BsHvyCgn9]

Martin check the Adelaide Moulding and casting supplies website [ www.amcsupplies.com.au ]they have download's of how 2 do casting and stuff. Plus great prices if you order over the net. They also have really good customer service any questions give them a ring. They did a workshop for the guys at South OZ Shipwright's (us FB-GW happened 2 tag along) which showed how 2 cast different types of resin's, etc. These guys know their stuff and should be able 2 help ya.

Cheers Bruce (B2)

PS How's HMS Prince of Wales coming along?? Post some pics??

[grahamwpd]

G day Martin, Bruce is correct re ADELAIDE CASTING very good company, they do a starter pack, there are a couple of tricks in doing your intial pour to avoid porosity or air entrapment but if you follow their inst. should be OK. their outlet is a 10 min drive from my home so if you need something followed up drop me an email. Further to this I will contact the owner & seeif he would be prepared to put together an article for our esteemed magazine. Cheers Graham

[MartinBg]

Thanks BruceB2
Thanks Graham..FB-GW comes through once again. I shall contact the owner as you suggest and see what they have on offer. IN reading some articles, I noted their are 3 different types of resins available being Polyurathane, Epoxy and Polyester. Which of these best suit our needs for fittings etc..

Bruce, Prince of Wales on hold since I broke my leg and the workshops are still a bit soggy after the flooding during adverse storm events

Thanks again chaps,

Martin du

[MikeJames]

For small runs, you may want to drop Russ French a line, he does a lot of short run casting and could let you know what material he is using, the timings and such.

Cheers

Mike

[SlatsSSN]

I'm lazy, never bothered to learn this skill, and buy this service from others.

Also, could you not seek help from the original supplier? -i.e. if you short bits and pieces that were meant to be in the kit, I'd explore that possibility of them making good with what was meant to be included first.

J

[cootafleet]

Have a look at STEVES MODEL SHIP SHED in links.
Bruce B1

[BsHvyCgn9]

I forgot your on the sick list at the moment mate!! Hope that leg heals up soon mate.

Cheers Bruce

[MartinBg]

Mike,

Russ has been forthcoming in the past with info - I try not to ask too much as I know the man is busy (plus he is making some parts for me at the present).

John S,
The semi-kit had parts missing when I first received the lot( about 5 years ago). Fleetscale notified me of this and sent parts when available. Actually, I'm only missing 1 bofor and the extra WTD's and lifebouys are there to make the model look even better. This kit is 1:128 scale (1930mm LOA) and I don't think other members will be casting in this scale. I have purchased moulded parts including hulls in the past from APS and will continue to do so or when I can convince Allan it will be profitable

I have other models, mainly scratch builds in various scales and have often been asked why I do not mould any parts. I think its time to learn a new skill as it will make my life easier in the long run especially with small fiddly bits.

FB-GW
Thanks fellas for your assistance and contacts etc - your help has been much appreciated.

Martin B somewhere in Vic below the waterline.

[webadmin]

Hi Martin, Fleet Base Wagga does a lot of its own mouldings and casting, if you need specific info let me know and I can go through it with you. Its not that hard a skill to learn.

Also some of the casting material we use comes from a company called Barnes in Sydney, they specialise in casting and moulding more specifically for the Movies, TV and Medical and I think they offer mail order.

Next time you are in Wagga we can go through it with as well.

Cheers

Craig

[steppenrig]

Hi guys,

I'd also be interested in learning this skill, as I suspect that I'll be making at least several unique items for DEFIANT which may not exist in the real world, and I don't know how many of each part I'll need. Plus the usual liferafts, watertight doors and hatches, bollards, capstans and windlasses, fairleads, anchors, coupla rhibs, davits, and all that fun stuff.

Dave.

Ps. I'll also be grateful for any hints/tips/advice regarding making the originals for the above items.

[sjbatche]

Dave

I have been playing around with moulding some bits in resin again recently. Have a look a the page on my web site and it should give you an idea on how I am currently moulding simple parts. I am using a vacumm chamber to assist in removing the air bubbles but you can still get good results without one on most less complex parts.

http://members.dodo.com.au/~sjbatche/resin_casting.htm

Regards Steve B.