Metal Molds... HOW TO?

[TwistedXT]

i have a 4 link on my TXT that im sick of... here is what im thinking. i want to make a one piece axle mount that will hold the servo, brace the axle housing, have a mount for the shocks and have a hook up for a 2 link triangulated suspension (which i also want to cast). I was thinking of making a sand mold or something, but kinda want everuones opinion on it... i was thinking of using the top of the axle to help form a mold that will fit perfectly on the housing... i was also thinking of using clay, letting it harden and then pouring fiberglass mold or even a plastic mold around it...

As far as metals go... when i was in auto body in college, they had these lead bars for.. well.... leading on older cars (instead of bondo).. they melted at a fairly low temp. (the process of melting might peev off my wife, tend to make a mess)....


Thoughts.... Ideas..... Comments....

[NeoSlayer888]

I THINK if you cast want you want you would still need to machine it. Also I don't think the lead mentioned would be a good option. I have never casted anything before so hopefully someone with more experience will respond.

[TwistedXT]

Im not stuck to making it out of metal... any material that people have tried... for example:
Liquid Nails
Bondo
fiberglass
Lead
Solder
Plastic
an 8 ball of stuff
Fiberglass resin


Can anyone else think of something liquid that you can add hardener to that will become hard as a rock?

[TwistedXT]

I was also thinking of warming up wax to make it plyable and forming it to the axle housing, then once the rest of it is formed incase it with a sand mold that has a pour spout on the top.... once it has all dried, heat the entire thing, pour out the wax and pour in... something... If i think right, i could even make a quick rubber mold so i can reproduce them, axle mounts and links.... EBAY... gotta love it.

[Emaxximuss78]

As a metal lead is very soft an wont work for what you want.
Ever use lead weights for fishing? You can scratch it with you finger.
You might be able to find a plastic you can use.
As for metal I would say allumin would work but you would have One hell ofa a burner to melt it.
Good luck

[TwistedXT]

Here is some stuff i found surfin the web... some videos

Make plastic Copys by Making your own molds



I might check out how strong this stuff is. it looks like it may work pretty well

[Davkin]

The easiest way to get good quality castings is with RTV silicone molds and urethane plastic. Even this can get expensive and takes a lot of trial and error for the newbie. Urethane plastic isn't nearly as strong as the nylon and polyethylene molded plastic parts that come in R/C kits, so I don't know if it would work for this purpose. It can be strengthened to some extent by adding powdered metal, up to 25% by volume, and as a + the part will polish up just like it was metal.

I get my urethane casting supplies from these people;

http://www.alumilite.com

As mentioned before lead is too soft. Any of the metals that don't require sand or vulcanized rubber for casting will be too soft, and any metal stronger than those will require a foundry to melt.

David