Mold construction help

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by watchtherocks, Feb 8, 2011.

  1. watchtherocks
    Joined: Aug 2009
    Posts: 13
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Oz

    watchtherocks Junior Member

    Not exactly a boat I know, but I am attempting to construct a mold for an underwater camera housing. The problem I'm having is getting a smooth interface between the bottom edge of the mold and the metal plate I am using to get the edge straight. The curve has to go down right to the plate, but there are gaps of up to 3mm-ish that I can't reduce due to the internal construction of the mold. Given it would be possible but hard to do this with the mold attatched to the plate - it is not - are there any fillers or techniques that could help here?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. jiggerpro
    Joined: Sep 2007
    Posts: 179
    Likes: 8, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 101
    Location: spain

    jiggerpro Senior Member

    Maybe a bed a of epoxy mixed with some microballoons against which while soft you can push the piece to get the epoxy paste squeeze out and fill your gap.
     
  3. SamSam
    Joined: Feb 2005
    Posts: 3,899
    Likes: 200, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 971
    Location: Coastal Georgia

    SamSam Senior Member

    Or attach some sandpaper to the plate and slide the housing back and forth to easily sand the edge flat.

    Or layup the housing and then while still wet lay a flat plate, waxed with release, on top and leave until cured.
     
  4. shoe
    Joined: Jan 2011
    Posts: 8
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: USA

    shoe Junior Member

    You can use modeling clay to fill the gap, then shape with sculpting tools. This will also help hold the housing to the plate.
     
  5. watchtherocks
    Joined: Aug 2009
    Posts: 13
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Oz

    watchtherocks Junior Member

    Apologies for my absence.
    I think SamSams second suggestion to layup the gap and then set it on the plate is a good idea, however given I need to get a really nice transition would adding filler to the mix help with shaping and sanding? Also would just a couple layers of wax be good enough for the aluminium plate? The stuff doesnt exactly rub into it well.

    My design is a vac-bagged 2 layer-filler-2 layer sandwich construction. I'm planning to use a surfboard filler called Q-cell. This is not generally used structurally, but I made a non vac-bagged single layer layup, which is unbendable on the curves (most of it) and gives slightly where flat. A 1/8cm(ish) layer of q-cell/resin mix made it unbendable. This layup would be both very light and very strong, Im hoping. There are probably better ways of doing it, but given this is my first time using composites starting simply seems my best bet.
    Also, do you normally apply a gelcoat to both the inside and outside of a layup?
    Cheers guys.
     
  6. watchtherocks
    Joined: Aug 2009
    Posts: 13
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Oz

    watchtherocks Junior Member

    Would anyone like to contribute?
     
  7. SamSam
    Joined: Feb 2005
    Posts: 3,899
    Likes: 200, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 971
    Location: Coastal Georgia

    SamSam Senior Member

    Wax up the backside of the plate and try a test patch, it should be alright. As shoe said, modeling clay will fill the gap, then the whole plug waxed a number of times and then a layer of PVA.

    Gelcoat inside isn't needed but makes it look good.
     
  8. watchtherocks
    Joined: Aug 2009
    Posts: 13
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Oz

    watchtherocks Junior Member

    Ive only got non-hardening model clay, I suspect this won't work?
     

  9. Herman
    Joined: Oct 2004
    Posts: 1,618
    Likes: 94, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 1240
    Location: The Netherlands

    Herman Senior Member

    This will work, no problem.

    All clay we use is non-hardening, and even can be reused. It gets softer with heat (knead it for a couple of minutes with your hand to make it workable) then when it cools again it becomes harder, but never rock solid.
     
Loading...
Similar Threads
  1. bruceb
    Replies:
    17
    Views:
    1,781
  2. brokensheer
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    2,481
  3. sneakyb
    Replies:
    16
    Views:
    8,777
  4. Space
    Replies:
    28
    Views:
    1,098
  5. Joe0157
    Replies:
    24
    Views:
    1,060
  6. member78916
    Replies:
    19
    Views:
    1,786
  7. itchyglass
    Replies:
    22
    Views:
    3,142
  8. rebar
    Replies:
    13
    Views:
    1,124
  9. itchyglass
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    803
  10. ber1023
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    1,149
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.